Does anyone else think we might not buy a midfielder this summer.....

[Transfer United Till I Die]

..... And that it might be Morrison, pogba and tunnicliffe time. I know they are young but feck me, if those three can't make the step up noone can. We'll have carrick, Anderson, fletcher and giggs who can play centrally plus those three. In numbers terms it seems enough to me.

 

[Wes]

no

 

[Kaiketsu_Zorro]

Hell I hope not.

 

[The Taurean]

Only god knows.

 

[MalteseRedDevil]

if we sign Sanchez then i think we will not get a midfielder.

 

[Baby Faced Assassin]

If we don't means, Fergie really believes in one of Morrison, Pogba & Norwood. Would be awesome.

 

[RedThaiDevils#7]

Problem is, Morrison is not a CM... He'll be played in advance areas and looks comfortable on the wings too.

Pogba is still 1 year too early, he's only played in the U18 level's let see him a bit more in the reserves first...

Same for Tunnicliffe.

With Scholes gone, SAF is forced to buy a replacement, I'm sure he remembers how that Carrick signing payed off wonders and I'm sure buying a suitable replacement for Scholes now is one of his top priorities.

Not that I don't have any faith in Anderson/Giggs, we might need a CM but that certain type of player is still a question mark on everyone's head and should be discussed on the priority thread.

 

[Mr Anderson]

as good as they are, they will be introduced slow and steady to the first team. IMO still need time. don't think it is a good idea not to bring in a central midfielder this summer.

 

[MalteseRedDevil]

Anderson was once signed to eventually replace scholes..

obviously that has not worked out so far, but the new contract they offered him may indicate that the manager is going to rely on him to step up next season.

Mind I think we are light of numbers in central midfield. Anderson Giggs Fletcher Carrick.

Giggs cannot play many games and That means we would have to rely on 3 established midfielders for the bulk of the season

 

[Denis' cuff]

it has crossed my mind. Fergie likes his wingers but sometimes bypassing the mf doesn't work and we get fookin trampled upon by mediocre PL sides, never mind Barcelona

 

[mariachi-19]

We won't get an established midfielder ala Sniejder. He'll be young and one Fergie can turn into the player he wants. I feel that he hoped he could do that with Gibo but he never gained the technical ability or mentality.

 

[Striker10]

Who knows? I think we are probably changing a lot of things. Personally I wouldn't fear that because having watched them, i'm not ignorant. In reality we are not going to catch Barcelona up within a season. If that did happen, it would happen because Sir Alex thinks their ready.....which is more important then any of us saying yes or no...

 

[Transfer United Till I Die]

I reckon we've got two or three targets, all tough to get, and if we can't then we'll give the kids a chance.

 

[Ixion]

I think we need a new category of Muppet, Youth-Team Muppet.

 

[Sarni]

Even if we don't sign anyone I don't think any of these three will feature much next season. We are still going to have Carrick, Anderson, Fletcher, Giggs with possibility of playing O'Shea, Park and Jones in midfield.

 

[Zarlak]

I wish people would stop this constant ***ping about the kids that aren't near ready. They are all good for the future but not yet. We need a proper midfielder to replace a proper midfielder. Kids can and will be eased in via the Carling Cup/FA Cup and a few Premiership appearances, not wham into 30+ games a season replacing the great man himself. Tunnicliffe and Pogba will not be replacing Scholes this season, neither are near the level needed to play the whole season in the first team.

 

[Chabon]

Anderson, Carrick, Fletcher, Giggs, Cleverley and Jones.

I wouldn't be surprised, or all that disappointed, if that was our group of CMs next season. Jones especially could provide a different option that we've needed for awhile. And if we're really after Sanchez then, well, there's no chance we'll spend big on anyone else.

 

[Cina]

It's a different (and worse) scenario than last year. No Scholes, no possibility of Hargreaves coming back and Giggs is even older. Anderson is still unproven and without a midfielder signed we'll be even more reliant on him becoming a top first team regular.

Basically, we need one, more than ever.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Anderson, Carrick, Fletcher, Giggs, Cleverley and Jones.

I wouldn't be surprised, or all that disappointed, if that was our group of CMs next season. Jones especially could provide a different option that we've needed for awhile. And if we're really after Sanchez then, well, there's no chance we'll spend big on anyone else.

That means three out - Scholes, Hargreaves, Gibson - and two in, neither of whom have played more than a handful of games in central midfield in their entire career to date.

It just seems unlikely to me. I'd be very surprised if Fergie didn't add another specialised central midfielder to our squad this summer.

 

[datura]

Problem is, Morrison is not a CM... He'll be played in advance areas and looks comfortable on the wings.

Morrison has played a number of times in centre mid and is very effective there, although he can be positionally indisciplined. He will probably end up there long term.

 

[anver]

Would be big mistake if we didnt. You dont need to be an expert to point out where our weakness lay last season. And now, with Scholes out, an experienced MF is a must.

 

[Red Hand Devil]

Fergie will want a team to be able to win the Champions League again before he retires (which is years away anyway) & to do that we need atleast 1 central mid-fielder - attackin or box-to-box. We also need a ball-winner, much in the same vain as Hargreaves was bought for. Of course we have Fletch but look at what happened this year when he got the virus. I like Lass Diarra, i thought he was great against Barca at the Bernebeu in the first-leg!

If we dont get atleast one central-midfielder its a gamble, but i dont think Fergie's gonna be gambling after the Champions League final - that hurt him big time!

 

[talking robot]

I think it's possible that we might stick with Anderson, Cleverly, Fletcher, Carrick and Giggs in central midfield. If a high quality player becomes available, then we would look at it. But there's no point in buying just for buying's sake. Whoever comes in would need to improve us.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

I highly doubt it. We will add at least one central midfielder this summer IMO. We've lost far too many players in that position and it does need strengthening.

 

[devilish]

I think it's possible that we might stick with Anderson, Cleverly, Fletcher, Carrick and Giggs in central midfield. If a high quality player becomes available, then we would look at it. But there's no point in buying just for buying's sake. Whoever comes in would need to improve us.

I can't think of many players who can be better then those lot. I mean its not as if some 37 yr old winger can claim a first team place with us can he?

On a serious note, CM need to be strengthened. It's been our Achilles heel for years and now it had lost players like Scholes and Hargreaves. Unless there is a new Scholes waiting in the youth academy then we've got to strengthen CM. We need that more then a promising defender and a winger who can play upfront.

 

[Cina]

I think people have it in their heads that Fergie just wants talented youth now because of the last few years, but he's still spent money on established players when he wants an instant impact (usually PL proven, too). Hargreaves, Carrick, Valencia and Berbatov all spring to mind.

 

[IL_DUCE]

I think we might sign Young, Defour or one of the Dortmund kids.....and of course Sanchez.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

I think it's possible that we might stick with Anderson, Cleverly, Fletcher, Carrick and Giggs in central midfield. If a high quality player becomes available, then we would look at it. But there's no point in buying just for buying's sake. Whoever comes in would need to improve us.

To be fair there are a number of players who can improve on that lot. It's an over exaggeration to say our midfield is poor but we it's considerably worse than the rest of the team. Our strike force is fantastic, our defense is the best in the world and our wingers are the best in the country. If there's any part of the team that needs to be improved it's central midfield.

 

[::sonny::]

We need two CM to replace Hargreaves...and Paul, a defensive one + one with creativity.

 

[Chabon]

That means three out - Scholes, Hargreaves, Gibson - and two in, neither of whom have played more than a handful of games in central midfield in their entire career to date.

Hargreaves doesn't count. Bebe spent much, much more time on the pitch last season and nobody would claim we need to replace him.

Six central midfielders is plenty, especially as Giggs won't be needed on the wings any more, and I'm confident we'll see the aforementioned kids getting games in the carling cup and such. The only problem I foresee is if we genuinely are looking to get rid of O'Shea, and don't bring in another defender, then Jones is going to be needed away from midfield.

I'm not willing to say we're not after another midfielder, maybe even two, I just wouldn't be at all surprised if none turn up.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

We need two CM to replace Hargreaves...and Paul, a defensive one + one with creativity.

Ideally, yes. We have midfielders in Carrick and Fletcher who do a nice job in their own right but if you're talking about stamping your authority over the game whether defensively by putting a foot in or by controlling the ball with touch and vision, we lack a little both ways. We have good solid performers who get the job done and who keep things ticking, but whether it's toughness and steel as well as creativity and playmaking, we're a little short.

But that's just taking about things overall. It's rare for a team to completely plug all the holes it can in one window. I reckon we'll get one midfielder who will either do some of both those things or wholly one of both those things (on paper of course).

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Hargreaves doesn't count. Bebe spent much, much more time on the pitch last season and nobody would claim we need to replace him.

Six central midfielders is plenty, especially as Giggs won't be needed on the wings any more, and I'm confident we'll see the aforementioned kids getting games in the carling cup and such. The only problem I foresee is if we genuinely are looking to get rid of O'Shea, and don't bring in another defender, then Jones is going to be needed away from midfield.

I'm not willing to say we're not after another midfielder, maybe even two, I just wouldn't be at all surprised if none turn up.

That's only with hindsight. I'm sure Fergie went into last season, assuming Hargreaves would have a part to the play in the season ahead.

Turns out we coped ok without him but I'm sure Fergie will be aware that if we did have a player with Hargreaves' qualities available last season some of those awful away performances might have been a bit more convincing.

I agree that 6 central midfielders should be enough enough but I don't think Jones will be counted as one of those 6. He's even said himself that he doesn't really see himself as a midfielder.

"I would not say it was central midfield. I would say it was screening the back four for extra security.

"It is just like playing centre-back but you have to be more aware of what is around you."

I think Fergie will want to start the season ahead with the same number of specialist central midfielders that he started last season.

i.e. Scholes, Gibson, Hargreaves, Fletcher, Anderson, Carrick becomes:

Fletcher, Anderson, Carrick, Giggs, Cleverley plus A.N. Other

 

[Transfer United Till I Die]

I'm not saying that fergie doesn't want or shouldn't add signings in midfield. I just think a lot our targets are tricky and I doubt he'd sign a player for the sake of it. If macheda and welbeck were starting games as senior squad players at 17 and 18 fergie would have the balls to do the same with even more talented ones.

 

[42 euros]

I would say we are desperate for a top class midfielder at the very least. Simply replacing retirees and sales means we have to buy at the top level. The younger players will take time and after the Barca lesson I think SAF is now resigned that he will have to spend big. The two things that concern me are that he talked about 2 or possibly 3 signings and a budget of £50 million. Both statements are now covered by our (potential) signings to date. Just clinging to the hope that the old fox is going to pull a masterstroke.

 

[kundalini]

That's only with hindsight. I'm sure Fergie went into last season, assuming Hargreaves would have a part to the play in the season ahead.

Turns out we coped ok without him but I'm sure Fergie will be aware that if we did have a player with Hargreaves' qualities available last season some of those awful away performances might have been a bit more convincing.

I agree that 6 central midfielders should be enough enough but I don't think Jones will be counted as one of those 6. He's even said himself that he doesn't really see himself as a midfielder.



I think Fergie will want to start the season ahead with the same number of specialist central midfielders that he started last season.

i.e. Scholes, Gibson, Hargreaves, Fletcher, Anderson, Carrick becomes:

Fletcher, Anderson, Carrick, Giggs, Cleverley plus A.N. Other

A.N. Other could be Park especially if Young is arriving. The way United use their central midfield players is very different to the style most of the caf appear to want to see. Sir Alex looks for positional discipline, game intelligence, hard work. Using the likes of Cleverley and Park in central midfield would hardly be a huge leap for him, assuming they could follow the instructions given.

 

[SFraser]

I reckon we could still win the league without signing another midfielder but it's not exactly taking the club forward.

 

[Rowem]

The 3 18 year olds mentioned in the OP are simply too young and too untested. They will need run outs in cup competitions and pre-season friendlies for a couple seasons first.

Take Wilshere as an example, he didn't jump straight into the Arsenal side. He was given playing time in the Cups and in that Emirates Shield thingy that they play in pre-season, and then sent to Bolton to get PL experience. A similar if not identical route will be taken with our 3 young lads.

In the event that we don't sign a new CM then I imagine Cleverly and Jones would get playing time there, and Giggs and Park could play there more so than in previous seasons. Additionally there are a few lads in the reserves, like Matty James or maybe even Petrucci, who would be more ready to step up to the plate at this point in time.

 

[Amir]

I'd love for one of the kids to fill our need, but they are way too young. They are at a stage when they should hope for a few league cup appearances, not play regularly. And someone who will play regularly is exactly what we need in order to fix what was our biggest, gaping hole last season.

I find the Sanchez rumours baffling, but as they could be utter crap I'll reserve judgement. We must make a midfield signing, a player who can hold the ball and pass it. I don't think we're really looking for a playmaker, nor do I think we'll be signing a huge name. But we need quality there.

 

[Elliott]

They're all very talented but it's a season or two too early to bring them into the PL/CL equation.

 

[Minkaro]

I think we should buy a midfielder. However, I'm not sure it's the creative spray-the-ball-around-the-park kind we need. We've got midfielders that can pass the ball, but what I think we need is a strong tackling midfielder.

Primary "attributes" (at the risk of sounding all Football Manager) should be his ability to tackle, and to have a physical effect on the game. Someone that's going to put themselves about and win the ball back, and maybe bully the opposition a bit.

Now, having somebody that can do that is all well and good, but our fantasy midfielder would also need to have some intelligence. Ideally this player would have a decent range of passing, and be somewhat confident on the ball.