If that's the case, then why haven't we made a move for him already? I only say that because, as far as I'm aware, there's nothing preventing us from doing so.
To me, it feels like the club is waiting for something to develop. Otherwise, you'd imagine we'd have signed a third midfielder by now - assuming, of course, that we're planning to bring one in.
I think Baleba, along with the other midfielders we've been linked with, is a genuine possibility. That said, I can't help but feel the club is waiting to see whether an opportunity arises for either Camavinga or Tchouameni before making a final decision.
Yes, that's why I said we barely used Ugarte last year. We have already replaced one departure with two new additions - plus have Mount, and Collyer is back as well. That's four players available to compensate for one departure, therefore we already have more players than we did last year.
We barely used Ugarte last season because we didn’t need to rest casemiro and Mainoo as we got knocked out of the FA Cup and EFL Cup in first round. As we have champions league, we will need to use our the 3rd midfield more frequently. And if we want to last long in FA Cup and EFL Cup and potentially in UCL while still be competitive in PL then we will need to use both our 3rd and 4th midfielder more frequently.
We just lost 2 midfielders Ugarte due to long term injury and Casemiro left. We signed 2 midfielders. 2 gone, another 2 joined. We didn’t really have more players than we did last year. When we used to have European comp, we had one more midfielder, which was Eriksen. We didn’t replace Eriksen last season because we didn’t need the 4th midfielder as we didn’t have European comp.
Arsenal had MLS, Zubimendi, Rice, Nordgaard. Neither these four are injury prone plus Eze and Odegaard as their no 10. They have 6 solid players in 3 positions. Hence why arsenal could compete with multiple competitions last season. I can’t see how someone like Collyer would be anywhere near those 6 players so I’m not sure if he is even good enough as part of the 6 midfield depth for this season.
We barely used Ugarte last season because we didn’t need to rest casemiro and Mainoo as we got knocked out of the FA Cup and EFL Cup in first round. As we have champions league, we will need to use our the 3rd midfield more frequently. And if we want to last long in FA Cup and EFL Cup and potentially in UCL while still be competitive in PL then we will need to use both our 3rd and 4th midfielder more frequently.
We just lost 2 midfielders Ugarte due to long term injury and Casemiro left. We signed 2 midfielders. 2 gone, another 2 joined. We didn’t really have more players than we did last year. When we used to have European comp, we had one more midfielder, which was Eriksen. We didn’t replace Eriksen last season because we didn’t need the 4th midfielder as we didn’t have European comp.
Arsenal had MLS, Zubimendi, Rice, Nordgaard. Neither these four are injury prone plus Eze and Odegaard as their no 10. They have 6 solid players in 3 positions. Hence why arsenal could compete with multiple competitions last season. I can’t see how someone like Collyer would be anywhere near those 6 players so I’m not sure if he is even good enough as part of the 6 midfield depth for this season.
Don’t even need to add Guimaraes into the mix. Collyer is still not even anywhere near Nordgaard.And Arsenal are trying to add Guimaraes into that mix.
I agree, we need another midfielder. But we have to accept though we are not at Arsenals level in terms of quality or depth. It may well be we have to use a player like Collyer in squad this season.
Yeah I reckon we are waiting on developments with the Real duo, personally feel Camavinga looks an easier deal, however don't think we are even interested.You may be right about waiting on developments around Madrid players.
Or possibly in parallel looking at how Baleba looks and it being used in pre-season.
I may be very wrong but I think the big wages and fee will be too much for us to do the Tchouameni deal.
Don’t even need to add Guimaraes into the mix. Collyer is still not even anywhere near Nordgaard.
We certainly won’t if we play Collyer.And no one said he is better than Collyer.
My point still stand though. You have to accept that we aree not in the same stage in our squad building evolution than Arsenal are. We won't get close to their quality and depth for some time.
Yeah I reckon we are waiting on developments with the Real duo, personally feel Camavinga looks an easier deal, however don't think we are even interested.
Profile is the key.Last year we played Case, Bruno and Mainoo in most of the matches, considering form and injures of Ugarte/Mason.
So we can feel that we have already added Santos,Youri,Mason to Bruno and Mainoo which is 5,
Cunha/Amad/Lacey can cover number 10 if needed, so worth getting an LB/ST first and look at 3rd midfield signing?
Yeah I can't see us being able to sign both of those as it would take around £150m I reckon
What I think, yes from my armchair 5000 miles away from Carrington, is that Carrick wants to see what Santos and Mount can do in pre-season before committing to a marquee midfield signing. So far, and it is early days and we shall never forget the years lost due to injury, Santos and Mount have made a great case against a third midfield signing.
Still another pre-season friendly, but we've got PSG coming up and if Santos and Mount can maintain this kind of form against PSG and then again against Leeds and then Milan, I think we can say au revoir to a marquee midfield signing. And then keep Thwaites as cover for the domestic cup games.
While we open the vault for the LB we desperately need, not just for depth but to usurp Shaw, as possibly a backup striker.
I think it’s much more likely that Carrick is playing them there because they are the only two available CMs, and the delay on a third CM signing is because we’re waiting to see how things shake out with Tchouameni/Camavinga/Baleba etc.
Even if Mount continues thriving at CM, we’re still missing a certain profile in midfield.
Tchoumeni isn't leaving Real, Camavinga is injury prone and we don't need that, and there's no chance Baleba can be had for less than 70m.
I'd love to see address every need this summer as we prepare our assault on the PL and CL trophies (and for me it's always in that order), but I have to believe that that's not going to be possible. Even on this forum there's talk of a need for a LW, a LB, a CF and CB and of course a CM. And for those who are really greedy, a RB. Doing all that is not possible. Cards have to be played close, but with Santos especially but also Mount looking fit for purpose, we're really now talking about a backup for Santos and the player for whom Santos will be the backup. And we haven't even seen Tielemans yet.
Yeah we absolutely have to sign someone who has that profile of an athletic covers the ground ball winner. Personally I can't think of anyone whatsoever in our academy who fit that. So I am still confident we will sign a third midfielder, however wouldn't be surprised if it's an unglamorous name leaving the CAF go meh.Of course not every need will be addressed, but with a net spend of 40 million so far I can't see why another CM and a LB isn't doable, with someone like Berge being more likely than someone like Tchouameni (or even a player who hasn't been strongly linked yet). My point though was simply that Carrick's team selections are much more likely based on player availability due to post world cup holidays than indicative of our broader transfer strategy - we know that the onus for recruitment strategy is on our recruitment team now, not the coach.
Probably only Baleba is gettable out of those threeMy assumption would be that Santos has exceeded expectations and making us question the need for a starting #6 like Tchouameni.
What we are lacking is a player to come on when the game is stretched and we need defensive cover - Emery, Baleba, Lewis Skelly would offer that.
I do expect there are other options we dont know about. We’ve been linked to Salinas at LB which no one would have known about prior.
Probably only Baleba is gettable out of those three
That’s the point what I am trying to say that Collyer is still not even anywhere near Nordgaard. Therefore, we won’t get anywhere close to their with Collyer, hence why we need a better midfield depth than Collyer.And no one said he is better than Collyer.
My point still stand though. You have to accept that we aree not in the same stage in our squad building evolution than Arsenal are. We won't get close to their quality and depth for some time.
I wouldn't see him as a panic buy at allWe'll panic buy Baleba if we struggle in our first few games.
That’s the point what I am trying to say that Collyer is still not even anywhere near Nordgaard. Therefore, we won’t get anywhere close to their with Collyer, hence why we need a better midfield depth than Collyer.
Think it would have caused more division had we not improved our progressive passing optionsIt would cause some division, but I’d be fine with Santos, Tielemans and Baleba. The latter is a bit of a punt but he could yet get back to where he was, and if he did we’d have great options for years to come.
I think Lewis Skelly is easier to do than Baleba.Probably only Baleba is gettable out of those three
I'm sure people that watched these few preseason games are not praising him without reason, but I'd hate if that turns out to be the case. We've got 4 competitions this season, have to have ambition to be near the top in league and go as far as we can in Champions League. Midfielder like Tchouameni or someone else, Lewis Hall, an experienced striker - we need all that.My assumption would be that Santos has exceeded expectations and making us question the need for a starting #6 like Tchouameni.
What we are lacking is a player to come on when the game is stretched and we need defensive cover - Emery, Baleba, Lewis Skelly would offer that.
I do expect there are other options we dont know about. We’ve been linked to Salinas at LB which no one would have known about prior.
Yes I agree we do need all that, however unless we move on Rashford and Zirkzee we won't sign striker that's for sure. I still believe we get that midfielder and the LB however may not be those names mentionedI'm sure people that watched these few preseason games are not praising him without reason, but I'd hate if that turns out to be the case. We've got 4 competitions this season, have to have ambition to be near the top in league and go as far as we can in Champions League. Midfielder like Tchouameni or someone else, Lewis Hall, an experienced striker - we need all that.
If Ugarte didn't get injured think we would've been able to sell him for decent fee and help ourselves get another midfielder. As you say striker may not be happening unless there's a buyer for Zirkzee.Yes I agree we do need all that, however unless we move on Rashford and Zirkzee we won't sign striker that's for sure. I still believe we get that midfielder and the LB however may not be those names mentioned
Tbh Looking at both Mount and Santos, I would be tempted to get a lower premium midfielder and channel more funds towards left back.I'm sure people that watched these few preseason games are not praising him without reason, but I'd hate if that turns out to be the case. We've got 4 competitions this season, have to have ambition to be near the top in league and go as far as we can in Champions League. Midfielder like Tchouameni or someone else, Lewis Hall, an experienced striker - we need all that.
Yeah that injury to Ugarte was a body blow to him and the club which I know sounds awful. I get the impression that Real aren't in any rush with this Rodri deal. So unfortunately means we have to wait to see if either of the Real duo are actually availableIf Ugarte didn't get injured think we would've been able to sell him for decent fee and help ourselves get another midfielder. As you say striker may not be happening unless there's a buyer for Zirkzee.
Feels like we're still waiting for whole Rodri to Real Madrid deal to either go through or collapse so we try and sign Tchouameni or get cheaper option like Kone.
Villa are being linked.What are the odds of convincing Marc Bernal that he won't be able to break into the Barca XI of Pedri, Gavi, Olmo and De Jong?
He's magnificent and honestly barring another devastating injury, is going to be the best midfielder in the world in a few years time.
Don't know much about him, remember there being very loose links to that Casado at one time thoughWhat are the odds of convincing Marc Bernal that he won't be able to break into the Barca XI of Pedri, Gavi, Olmo and De Jong?
He's magnificent and honestly barring another devastating injury, is going to be the best midfielder in the world in a few years time.
Don't know much about him, remember there being very loose links to that Casado at one time though
Villa are being linked.
You’d think more would be made out of being trained under one or the best Regista’s of the last 20yrs.
we have Kobbie, Tielemans, Santos, Mount and we have Bruno who can play there if needed. Then we have Collyer and Lacey as backups. Do we really need a 3rd signing? I would think using the any remaining budget for a LB is more a priority than a midfielder?
Still surprised we gave Brentford a free run at him which is surprising when his metrics were so goodNeed someone that can cover the pitch. Sangare would have been my pick but perhaps Lamine Camara from Monaco?
Mount really shouldn’t be factored into the equation for next season. He will run into injuries issues.
Our 'huge' CM rebuild consist of a squad player from Chelsea who became surplus to requirement and a 29 year old with a low minimum clause. It's evident that we're running on fumes which makes sense considering that we're in 1.3b in debt, we're planning to build a stadium which would cost us 2b-3b and we're being propped by a company whose on 18b in debt. At this point what's left of Manchester United is the brand name. We're operating on an Everton budgetStill surprised we gave Brentford a free run at him which is surprising when his metrics were so good
We should be all over him he would be perfect for usI think Lewis Skelly is easier to do than Baleba.
If Arsenal pull off signing Guimaraes and Vinicius he’s a quick way to generate money.
Our 'huge' CM rebuild consist of a squad player from Chelsea who became surplus to requirement and a 29 year old with a low minimum clause. It's evident that we're running on fumes which makes sense considering that we're in 1.3b in debt, we're planning to build a stadium which would cost us 2b-3b and we're being propped by a company whose on 18b in debt. At this point what's left of Manchester United is the brand name. We're operating on an Everton budget
