We have a 33 year old with zero cover and a 32 year old with cover that just can’t be trusted.
If we’re not addressing the fullback positions, we won’t be making any moves at all in the market this summer.
Fullbacks for the summer
- Thread starter Hellboy
- Start date
-
Nik (@Rood) and Imran (@Annihilate Now!) discuss United's fantastic win away against Athletic Club in the semi-final of the Europa League.
They also pick out the positives of United's 4-3 loss away at Brentford, and Nik reviews a day out at Old Trafford watching Manchester United Women qualify for the Champions League.
We have a 33 year old with zero cover and a 32 year old with cover that just can’t be trusted.
If we’re not addressing the fullback positions, we won’t be making any moves at all in the market this summer.
Cancelo? Anyone watched him?
I'd also add that we would have zero chance of getting anywhere near City if we go into next season with a back four that includes Valencia/Young.
Two fullbacks absolutely have to be priority signings,surely?
As I said I think we'll address it with young cover, sessegnon and TFM. That's based on Mourinhos comments on Young getting 50 games, players he trusts (Valencia & Young), his need to improve midfield and his inability to make the perfect squad.
It's not a popular thought, but could very well be how the summer plays out.
Agree with your suggestion on O Connor, worth intergrating into the 1st team squad.
It also tells us that it's important to pay the price, when the quality ones are available. There's a bit of a draught in good up and coming full-backs at the moment I think.
The whole “buy Sessegnon as our left back” thing really has to stop as he is NOT a left back as proven this season and would be a complete waste of his talent and our money to play him as a left back, if Martial goes I’d sign Sessegnon as Sanchez’s back up on the left up top or to mound him into a right inside forward ala Bale, Mahrez and Douglas Costa.
The full back positions ARE a priority and we need better in BOTH full back positions especially left back so Alex Sandro simply has to be our number one target as he’s world class AND available it seems, Dani Alves did his cruciates so Meunier will surely be a no go but right back is just as big a priority as left back.
I'm just putting out a point of view that might be more Mourinhos thinking.
As for Sessegnon, based solely on his YouTube, he strikes me as potentially having a career similiar to Young. He's bagged some goals at a young age, but his all round game looks no more than above average. But with his defensive ability he probably has more than enough to mold into a very good full back, ala Young and Rose.
If we don't get at least one adequate replacement we won't win the league next year. We need two and everybody knows it. I've never been as sure that we are lacking in this area for years. I'm usually optimistic going in to every season but time to be realistic. We lack width and real quality going forward from our full backs, need better options for our defenders and midfield to build up play. People that are still hoping for Shaw need to wake up, not happening under this manager. Jose's comments about Young are beyond worrying. Him and Valencia are back up players, anyone that wants them starting isn't watching United. Getting past your man and deliver a good cross, then getting back to a defensive position quickly. This is the demand that is not being met. Cutting back to deliver a cross is not what we need for Rom by Young. Valencia can do neither. Don't want a stupid galactico signing, I want areas that will be addressed with good energetic players. Need to get some life in to our play again.
Haha, in my Fifa 18 player career mode, United have Cancelo on the right with Theo Hernandez on the left. As for an actual fullback, why not try TFM? Hes played on the right side of a 3 man back, pace and power but just a bit rough around the edges. With the right coaching, he could be an amazing alternative to overspending on an established or player.Well he's currently #3 right back, behind Aaron Wan-Bissaka & Joel Ward in the pecking order at Crystal Palace. I think that would be a indication as to the risk it would be.
Not completely writing him off or anything, obviously it makes sense for Palace to develop their own player in Wan-Bissaka over a loaned one, I do think a lot of Utd fans overrate out youngsters though. I remember arguing with a mate a couple of years ago who SWORE Januzaj was better than Griezmann. I think TFM has more of a future as a Centre Midfielder, based on what I've seen anyway.
Ricardo feckin Pereira.
Personally think a centre back is the number one priority defensively this summer at least. This season at least we have been able to trust to a dergree Valencia and Young who yes are both ageing but is there a single centre back that we can at the moment?
We NEED a centre back this summer and to move a couple out. We NEED a central midfielder with Carrick and probably Fellaini leaving with rumours of Herrera doing so too.
That for me is the two absolute musts this summer. Shaw has had injuries and doesnt quite looke right, but he is just as good talent wise as anybody we are being linked with, everybody is saying Sandro, but playing devils advocate what has he done this year himself? Mourinho seems to have something he doesnt like about Shaw, shame for me, but if he is moving on of course a left back is needed. Right back this summer cover is needed if Darmian goes. I also think we really need a proper right winger for balance, Lingard has done very well often playing there but he isnt a right winger and Mata has never been a right winger.
People saying two or three, I hope this isnt right we have to sign four players and it should be six, we just arent going to move out the number of players linked to be moving even though most of them really should be.
The money we have spent post Fergie, pre-Mourinho and even with Mourinho, it is amazing just how short we are. Could argue up to six positions could be dramatically improved...that is more than half the side. It is almost like bar a handful of players we are a rung down on what we should have. We have lots of first eleven players who should be squad players, a couple of first team players who shouldnt even be squad players. A handful of decent squad players and a handful of squad players should be moved on.
Bare minimum we should be doing this summer in my opinion is signing four playres, moving on six players and having a couple more youngsters in the first team squad.
We NEED a centre back this summer and to move a couple out. We NEED a central midfielder with Carrick and probably Fellaini leaving with rumours of Herrera doing so too.
That for me is the two absolute musts this summer. Shaw has had injuries and doesnt quite looke right, but he is just as good talent wise as anybody we are being linked with, everybody is saying Sandro, but playing devils advocate what has he done this year himself? Mourinho seems to have something he doesnt like about Shaw, shame for me, but if he is moving on of course a left back is needed. Right back this summer cover is needed if Darmian goes. I also think we really need a proper right winger for balance, Lingard has done very well often playing there but he isnt a right winger and Mata has never been a right winger.
People saying two or three, I hope this isnt right we have to sign four players and it should be six, we just arent going to move out the number of players linked to be moving even though most of them really should be.
The money we have spent post Fergie, pre-Mourinho and even with Mourinho, it is amazing just how short we are. Could argue up to six positions could be dramatically improved...that is more than half the side. It is almost like bar a handful of players we are a rung down on what we should have. We have lots of first eleven players who should be squad players, a couple of first team players who shouldnt even be squad players. A handful of decent squad players and a handful of squad players should be moved on.
Bare minimum we should be doing this summer in my opinion is signing four playres, moving on six players and having a couple more youngsters in the first team squad.
Valencia and Young are still 'gelling in'?
Most of the talk seems to be either Cedric or Hysaj for right back, and Alex Sandro for left back. Would be a good 90m that probably, but both very good players at good ages.
Forever Young
Read a report somewhere that United has already a deal in place with Napoli for Elseid Hysaj. Apparently, we are to pay his buyout clause of €50m.
Solid rb for me & fast as feck. Definitely an upgrade on Valencia. Still can't help but wonder if we could have gotten Ricardo Pereira for less.
Still happy we're linked to a right back for a change though & great if we can wrap this fella up early
Solid rb for me & fast as feck. Definitely an upgrade on Valencia. Still can't help but wonder if we could have gotten Ricardo Pereira for less.
Still happy we're linked to a right back for a change though & great if we can wrap this fella up early
I have seen people suggesting Sessegnon. I'm not sure he can play as left back, maybe he could play as a wingback if we play with a back 3. In that case, I would go for Adama Traore as right wingback.
De Gea
Bailly - Jones - NewCB
Adama - Matic - Pogba - Sessegnon
NewCAM
Lukaku - Sanchez
If we add a CB like Alderweireld/Umtiti, and a top No.10 like Eriksen/Dybala, we could make that formation work.Bailly - Jones - NewCB
Adama - Matic - Pogba - Sessegnon
NewCAM
Lukaku - Sanchez
It was satirical, but hell yeah, just run with it.
I saw those rumors about Elseid Hysaj yesterday too but I think that they originated from either The Sun or The Metro so I think it's unlikely to be true.
Last edited:
Not seeing much about a RB coming. We need a RB just as much as we need a LB. Valencia is not good enough in the final third. His crossing is poor. He is also one footed, can't do anything with his left.
I think any of Hysaj, Odriozola or Ricardo Pereira are upgrades on what we have but in my opinion left back, central midfield and a right sided forward are the priority areas then right back and centre back.
If someone asked me if I’d accept Alex Sandro, Thiago and a world class right sided forward but that be our only three signings this summer then I’d take it and let Valencia and Young rotate at right back and keep Shaw as back up to Alex Sandro then summer 2019 I’d sign a new right back, centre back, defensive midfielder and a striker IF Rashford becomes a left sided forward rather than a central striker.
If someone asked me if I’d accept Alex Sandro, Thiago and a world class right sided forward but that be our only three signings this summer then I’d take it and let Valencia and Young rotate at right back and keep Shaw as back up to Alex Sandro then summer 2019 I’d sign a new right back, centre back, defensive midfielder and a striker IF Rashford becomes a left sided forward rather than a central striker.
Except this...
He is very cautious with his left footed passing though, it’s proper infuriating
Ditch Blind and Darmian. Bring in Nelson Semedo, Alex Sandro and Joao Miranda.. our defence would be the best in the league.
Papers linking Leicester with a 25mil move for Ricardo Pereira. If that the price seems awful cheap given what good fullbacks go for now adays. Would enjoy seeing him at United.
That's a great price. We should go for him. Definitely an upgrade on Valencia.
I haven't seen most of the full backs playing live but I just checked the important stats on squawka. The players I chose were Ricardo Pereira, Hysaj, Odriozola, Cedric and Valencia. Ricardo clearly stands out. He is defensively better and has more goals, assists and key passes than all others.
If Pereira is available at £25 million and we end up with Sandro for £35 million plus Darmian then we’ve done an unreal job in fixing two of four biggest problem positions in our team, Pereira and Sandro are both HUGE upgrades on what we have and for a combined £60 million cash we’d have pulled off a master stroke.
If we then raised funds by selling Johnstone, Blind, Lindelof or Rojo, Martial and Wilson as well as Fellaini and Carrick off the wage bill then we could realistically still sign Alderweireld, a world class playmaker and a world class right sided forward as well as both full back positions fixed.
No thanks.
saying it for weeks we should go for Ricardo Pereira, he's only getting better and for £25m that's peenuts for a player of his quality.
Is 25m his buyout clause ?
Who do you think is a better right back? Ricardo Pereira, Meunier, Sibide, Odriozola or Cedric?
£33m buyout but Leicester confident of getting him for £25m. Even at £33m it's a great deal... Think of it like Alex Sandro, went from Porto where he was very very promising to Juve and became top 5 LBs in the world. Imo Pereira is in the exact same position. I hope we get him... but no links so far.
Ricardo has it all to be a top top RB/WB, improving every season. did great with Nice on loan and even better this year. I'd sign R.Pereira over the rest without thought.
Looks like by going with the reports anyway Sandro looks the top choice for the LB, think for RB i quite liked the look of Odrozola, seen him a limited number of times to be fair, looks a very good crosser of the ball and has a good engine on him to get up and down, minded me more of a gary neville sort of defender, anyone seen a lot of him to give a more in depth scouting of him ?
Linked with Sime Vrsaljko via Barry Glendinning in the Guardian.
The guy from Fulham is a must. Hell i would even give them Shaw part exchange. Watched him quite a few times this season and what potential. For the right side, the guy from Athletico looks solid Vrsaljko and also Meunier from PSG could be a good bet.
I'm not sure about Vrsaljko being good enough but I do like Meunier. They've both got the right age as well. The thing is, Vrsaljko and Meunier are both at big clubs already and it would be difficult enough to convince them to make the move, nevermind what they would cost. PSG are not going to let Meunier go with Alves being old and his long-term injury. He's got two years remaining on his deal and is probably the future for them. Same goes for Vrsaljko, except his contract runs till 2022 so would be even more expensive. We should be looking at more attainable targets.
If we get a LB like Sandro then Young could move to the right with Shaw being the back-up at LB. That way we could postpone buying a new RB for another year. That would give talents like TFM more time to mature and make a stake for the spot, saving us money in the progress. I think that's a better plan than buying someone like Cedric from Sotton who's never going to be world-class.
Meunier would almost certainly be eager for a move to us as he's a self-confessed Utd fan and would like to play in England some day, plus he's not happy with how things went at PSG this season. The big problem as you said would be convincing PSG to sell, particularly with Alves getting injured.
He may be a United fan, but I don't know how important that is to him when it comes to his playing career. Personally I think it would just be a bonus if he were to play for United some day. Let's face it, going from PSG to United these days isn't much of an upgrade. Sure, he'd face stiffer competition in the prem, but at PSG he's playing with the likes of Neymar and Verratti. They've simply got a better team. Add to that he would face competition from both Valencia and Young at United, wheras he wouldn't be having as much competition for his spot at PSG considering Alves' injury and age. I don't think it's an attractive proposition for him at this moment in time. I hope I'm wrong though. Would love to see him at United.