How good could our attack be?

[Quinzaine]

In the hypothetical and seemingly likely scenario that we do end up with Sancho, im curious what the consensus is as to how good an attack consisting of Rashford/Martial/Sancho*/Greenwood can be for us. I've hardly been the most optimistic fan for the last few years but I genuinely believe that attack can quite soon compete with the very best in Europe. The numbers Rashford and Martial have put up this season are bordering on world-class despite playing a majority of it in a hugely disjointed team lacking creativity. Not much has to be said about Greenwood's potential and Sancho is arguably already world-class in his own right. I read somewhere that Rashford, Martial and Sancho this season have over 100 goals and assists between them this season which is frightening. For reference, I will highlight what I believe are the current best set of attackers in Europe.

PSG - Mbappe/Neymar/Icardi
City - Sterling/Aguero/Jesus/Mahrez/Ferran Torres*
Liverpool - Mane/Firmino/Salah
Bayern - Sane/Lewandowski/Gnabry/Coman
Barcelona - Fati/Dembele/Messi/Griezmann/Suarez/Trincao
Chelsea - Pulisic/Werner/Havertz*/Hudson-Odoi/Ziyech
Madrid - Hazard/Benzema/Bale/Vinicius/Rodrygo/Jovic

Where do you see our collection of attackers with Sancho ranking amongst those teams next season, and a few years down the line?

 

[Jackal981]

Barca should not been there. It is literally Messi and others. Dont be fooled by the big names. The day Messi retires is the day that club going back to obscurity ala early 2000s

 

[Quinzaine]

Barca should not been there. It is literally Messi and others. Dont be fooled by the big names. The day Messi retires is the day that club going back to obscurity ala early 2000s

Oh I agree to an extent, but it would look silly not to include them if they have an injury-free Dembele and a Griezmann who is back in form next season. Although yes I think currently they're extremely reliant on Messi, and none of the players mentioned bar him and Fati have had a good season.

It's a similar case for Madrid where Benzema is pretty much the only attacker who has done anything noteworthy this season. Although likewise with Barca if Hazard comes to life and Vinicius/Rodrygo/Jovic start fulfilling their potential then they're definitely up there for me.

 

[Jibbs]

In my humble opinion we need to move James and sign one more winger beside Sancho. Ismaila Sarr would be a wonderful addition.

 

[Jackal981]

Oh I agree to an extent, but it would look silly not to include them if they have an injury-free Dembele and a Griezmann who is back in form next season. Although yes I think currently they're extremely reliant on Messi, and none of the players mentioned bar him and Fati have had a good season.

It's a similar case for Madrid where Benzema is pretty much the only attacker who has done anything noteworthy this season. Although likewise with Barca if Hazard comes to life and Vinicius/Rodrygo/Jovic start fulfilling their potential then they're definitely up there for me.

They have aging stars (Suarez, Griez, Rakitic, guys from Pep era) and mostly injury prone players too. They are a few shite transfer windows away from being Milan.

 

[Mr Smith]

I think the biggest thing that stands out comparing the front three of most of the club's listed is ours has a significantly younger average age. I think it's a bit harsh to expect the same level of productivity from significantly younger players.

For instance, I don't think there's that much in it in terms of pure talent between our attack and Liverpool's. The difference is the maturity of the latter that sees them make the right decision so frequently. You also have to consider Liverpool's system maximises the amount of opportunities those players get. I'm not sure our system does the same.

 

[Revan]

They have aging stars (Suarez, Griez, Rakitic, guys from Pep era) and mostly injury prone players too. They are a few shite transfer windows away from being Milan.

Not gonna happen. They have a shitload of money, and can buy their way out of the problem. Also, except the two Madrid clubs there aren't many strong clubs in the league, so they should be able to reach UCL even when things are not going right. Messi leaving them will have a lower effect than SAF leaving us.

 

[Jackal981]

Not gonna happen. They have a shitload of money, and can buy their way out of the problem. Also, except the two Madrid clubs there aren't many strong clubs in the league, so they should be able to reach UCL even when things are not going right. Messi leaving them will have a lower effect than SAF leaving us.

To be fair I used to think that as well regarding United (too big to fail, tons of money, prestige, sounds familiar ?). Alas here we are just on our way back to recover the damage done in last few years. Maybe I am exaggerating comparing them to Milan but it is not farfetched to think that their performance will drop like us after SAF retirement.

 

[sglowrider]

Not gonna happen. They have a shitload of money, and can buy their way out of the problem. Also, except the two Madrid clubs there aren't many strong clubs in the league, so they should be able to reach UCL even when things are not going right. Messi leaving them will have a lower effect than SAF leaving us.

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[cyril C]

In the hypothetical and seemingly likely scenario that we do end up with Sancho, im curious what the consensus is as to how good an attack consisting of Rashford/Martial/Sancho*/Greenwood can be for us. I've hardly been the most optimistic fan for the last few years but I genuinely believe that attack can quite soon compete with the very best in Europe. The numbers Rashford and Martial have put up this season are bordering on world-class despite playing a majority of it in a hugely disjointed team lacking creativity. Not much has to be said about Greenwood's potential and Sancho is arguably already world-class in his own right. I read somewhere that Rashford, Martial and Sancho this season have over 100 goals and assists between them this season which is frightening. For reference, I will highlight what I believe are the current best set of attackers in Europe.

PSG - Mbappe/Neymar/Icardi
City - Sterling/Aguero/Jesus/Mahrez/Ferran Torres*
Liverpool - Mane/Firmino/Salah
Bayern - Sane/Lewandowski/Gnabry/Coman
Barcelona - Fati/Dembele/Messi/Griezmann/Suarez
Chelsea - Pulisic/Werner/Havertz*/Hudson-Odoi/Ziyech
Madrid - Hazard/Benzema/Bale/Vinicius/Rodrygo/Jovic

Where do you see our collection of attackers with Sancho ranking amongst those teams next season, and a few years down the line?

Liverpool's MFS set the highest standard, because Firmino is always there, when Salah fades Mane steps up.

City's Sterling + Aguero is next highest, depending on whether the 3rd wing turns up (even Sane was on and off)

Other teams have too many uncertainty of on/off.

Our problem is that while Martial has turned up 70% of the time, Rashford is also very inconsistent. We had to rely on James + Greenwood to fill in the blanks, luckily Ignaho backup in minor games.

Assuming Martial and Rashford will improve next season, Greenwood as well but I am not so sure about James, with an additional consistent performer, we should be somewhere closer to what City was 2-3 seasons ago, hence definitely better than City next season as Aguero is older. So we will be probably 3rd after Liverpool and BM, assuming we do get a consistent right winger.

 

[Quinzaine]

I think the biggest thing that stands out comparing the front three of most of the club's listed is ours has a significantly younger average age. I think it's a bit harsh to expect the same level of productivity from significantly younger players.

For instance, I don't think there's that much in it in terms of pure talent between our attack and Liverpool's. The difference is the maturity of the latter that sees them make the right decision so frequently. You also have to consider Liverpool's system maximises the amount of opportunities those players get. I'm not sure our system does the same.

Yep, I agree. Although I do think when players are of a certain talent (which I think all of our attackers are) and in the right system, their age becomes less of an issue. The growth and maturity shown by Rashford and Martial this season has been admirable. They're young but they've played 5 seasons under 3 very different managers and they're historically often the ones who get us out of trouble. It's bizarre but they almost look like oure more senior players on the pitch this season the way they've carried us.

I do think Liverpool's system is perfect for their attackers, and credit goes to Klopp for that. I'm not sure Ole will succesfully implement a system that caters to the attack so much but I do think in terms of personnel the creativity of Pogba and Bruno (and maybe another midfielder signed) is a strong foundation for the forward players. Our fullbacks lack of attacking ability could be detrimental though.

 

[simonhch]

Martial is just realising his potential. He’s putting it all together, he has it in him to score 30 next season without a doubt.

Rashford is fecking brilliant. He’s had an injury disrupted season, and been over played since the restart but he’s only going to get better.

Greenwood just has ice in his veins. The most technically gifted of the three, and they are all technically gifted. I’d say he’s already one of the best strikers of the ball in the league. As he develops the sky is the limit for this kid. Just has to work hard.

If you add Sancho to that, it’s genuinely hard to say who misses out. They are all that good. You need that competition for places of course and it’s only a good thing. But boy would we have some options.

I don’t know how it compares to other top teams. So much comes down to the system and how players click. Firmino for example is just okay. Solid player. But boy does he work well in their system.

What I do know is that it is the type of line up that an elite club should have. And the fact that three are English, two are through the academy, one was bought as a teenager, and their ages are 24, 22, 22, 18, really boxes well for the future.

If we add Sancho, a specialist DM, a CB, and a back up full back to compete for a first team place. This squad will be set for next season.

I think in the coming 2-3 years we have Garner, Henderson, Chong, Laird and Mejbri all coming through to be valuable squad players or compete for a first team space. That’s going to save us a ton of money. I think a couple of those at least are going to be big players.

This summer if we move on Rojo, Jones, Smalling, Lingard, Mata, and Sanchez and bring in the four players I’ve mentioned before. We’ll be in a position where we can have a turnover of 2-3 players per season, because the bulk of the squad is there. I wouldn’t be surprised if we have earmarked McTominay to be a long term DM, and he is working with Carrick on the role. And someone like Grealish will be brought in to add rotation for Bruno and Pogba, along with Fred.

Pereira has been written off by most, but I think he can be a useful player for cups etc. Dalot and Tuanzebe are both young and have lots of developing to do. Happy to give them time and maybe even a loan. Both have bags of talent. James had a brilliant start to the season but unsurprisingly found it tough to keep that level up in his first PL season. Still plenty to like about him, and a useful squad player.

Back to the question, Martial, Rashford, Sancho and Greenwood is a foursome I wouldn’t trade for what any other club has. The combination of their ages, potential, current ability, academy roots, and chemistry, just excites the living dickens out of me.

If we had managed to sign the two young Ajax lads, De Jong and De Ligt, I’d go as far as to say we had the best young team in the world. But you can’t win them all.

 

[The Brown Bull]

Potentially we are as good as anyone and better than most.
Martial is only coming into his peak years same for Rashford.
Greenwood will get better and better as he gains experience and gets stronger.
Bruno and Pogba are top class.
Of course we need backup like Ighalo and hopefully Sancho.
Hopefully James can improve and stake a claim.

 

[Quinzaine]

Martial is just realising his potential. He’s putting it all together, he has it in him to score 30 next season without a doubt.

Rashford is fecking brilliant. He’s had an injury disrupted season, and been over played since the restart but he’s only going to get better.

Greenwood just has ice in his veins. The most technically gifted of the three, and they are all technically gifted. I’d say he’s already one of the best strikers of the ball in the league. As he develops the sky is the limit for this kid. Just has to work hard.

If you add Sancho to that, it’s genuinely hard to say who misses out. They are all that good. You need that competition for places of course and it’s only a good thing. But boy would we have some options.

I don’t know how it compares to other top teams. So much comes down to the system and how players click. Firmino for example is just okay. Solid player. But boy does he work well in their system.

What I do know is that it is the type of line up that an elite club should have. And the fact that three are English, two are through the academy, one was bought as a teenager, and their ages are 24, 22, 22, 18, really boxes well for the future.

If we add Sancho, a specialist DM, a CB, and a back up full back to compete for a first team place. This squad will be set for next season.

I think in the coming 2-3 years we have Garner, Henderson, Chong, Laird and Mejbri all coming through to be valuable squad players or compete for a first team space. That’s going to save us a ton of money. I think a couple of those at least are going to be big players.

This summer if we move on Rojo, Jones, Smalling, Lingard, Mata, and Sanchez and bring in the four players I’ve mentioned before. We’ll be in a position where we can have a turnover of 2-3 players per season, because the bulk of the squad is there. I wouldn’t be surprised if we have earmarked McTominay to be a long term DM, and he is working with Carrick on the role. And someone like Grealish will be brought in to add rotation for Bruno and Pogba, along with Fred.

Pereira has been written off by most, but I think he can be a useful player for cups etc. Dalot and Tuanzebe are both young and have lots of developing to do. Happy to give them time and maybe even a loan. Both have bags of talent. James had a brilliant start to the season but unsurprisingly found it tough to keep that level up in his first PL season. Still plenty to like about him, and a useful squad player.

Back to the question, Martial, Rashford, Sancho and Greenwood is a foursome I wouldn’t trade for what any other club has. The combination of their ages, potential, current ability, academy roots, and chemistry, just excites the living dickens out of me.

If we had managed to sign the two young Ajax lads, De Jong and De Ligt, I’d go as far as to say we had the best young team in the world. But you can’t win them all.

That's what struck me when typing out the list of other attackers, I wouldnt swap them as a collective. Mbappe and Neymar would be a dream but to swap them with all four if we add Sancho there's no way. We're so lucky Rashford and Martial have that chemistry too at their ages.

 

[simonhch]

That's what struck me when typing out the list of other attackers, I wouldnt swap them as a collective. Mbappe and Neymar would be a dream but to swap them with all four if we add Sancho there's no way. We're so lucky Rashford and Martial have that chemistry too at their ages.

Absolutely. The way Rashford and Martial link up, especially at pace and on the counter, has shades of Rooney and Ronaldo about it. I am always reminded of that brilliant counter goal against Bolton at OT. Now obviously we are talking about two club legends, and I am not comparing them on an individual level, but the chemistry is exciting to watch. I think of you add Sancho, who can go inside or out on the right, and teams will have a real problem against us. Greenwood meanwhile Can deputise does all three, and ultimately I feel he will become undroppable.

If we have the four of them next season, I would expect that quarter to bag 70-80 goals between them, no problem. You’d expect Rashford and Martial to hit at least 25 each. Greenwood hit 17 this year and you’d expect him to get 20+ next season. That’s already 70 before you add Sancho. The existing three have 59 this season, in Greenwood’s breakthrough year, Rashford injured for a chunk, and supply lines cut with Pogba out and Bruno only coming in January.

Exciting times to be ahead, and there will be bumps. But any team that has goals in it, is capable of winning games. Lots of games. And a squad that contains Rashford, Martial, Greenwood, Sancho, and Bruno in its front four, is going to score goals. You are talking about quintessentially modern players, with pace, technique, mobility, and work rate.

 

[manutddjw]

It’s one of those things where if people read the list above (mostly non-United fans) no one will rate our attack, but I would not be shocked at all if our forwards outscore all of those next season.

 

[CG1010]

It’s one of those things where if people read the list above (mostly non-United fans) no one will rate our attack, but I would not be shocked at all if our forwards outscore all of those next season.

I don't think that's true. People have taken note of the goals scored by Martial and Rashford. Rashford is also important player for England. Again Greenwood is being acknowledged as a superstar in making (how could someone not acknowledge an 18 year old taking the league by storm).Probably people (rightly) see our attack as not yet fully matured or at its peak.

I still think we need atleast one of them to become a good header. That will increase unpredictability in our game. Right now defenders know our play would be majorly on the deck. Hopefully Rashford and Martial can improve in their heading

 

[sglowrider]

It’s one of those things where if people read the list above (mostly non-United fans) no one will rate our attack, but I would not be shocked at all if our forwards outscore all of those next season.

Thats not true. A gooner mate of mine would take all of them incl Martial for Auba who he thinks is quite wasteful in his chances.

 

[sglowrider]

Martial is just realising his potential. He’s putting it all together, he has it in him to score 30 next season without a doubt.

Rashford is fecking brilliant. He’s had an injury disrupted season, and been over played since the restart but he’s only going to get better.

Greenwood just has ice in his veins. The most technically gifted of the three, and they are all technically gifted. I’d say he’s already one of the best strikers of the ball in the league. As he develops the sky is the limit for this kid. Just has to work hard.

If you add Sancho to that, it’s genuinely hard to say who misses out. They are all that good. You need that competition for places of course and it’s only a good thing. But boy would we have some options.

I don’t know how it compares to other top teams. So much comes down to the system and how players click. Firmino for example is just okay. Solid player. But boy does he work well in their system.

What I do know is that it is the type of line up that an elite club should have. And the fact that three are English, two are through the academy, one was bought as a teenager, and their ages are 24, 22, 22, 18, really boxes well for the future.

If we add Sancho, a specialist DM, a CB, and a back up full back to compete for a first team place. This squad will be set for next season.

I think in the coming 2-3 years we have Garner, Henderson, Chong, Laird and Mejbri all coming through to be valuable squad players or compete for a first team space. That’s going to save us a ton of money. I think a couple of those at least are going to be big players.

This summer if we move on Rojo, Jones, Smalling, Lingard, Mata, and Sanchez and bring in the four players I’ve mentioned before. We’ll be in a position where we can have a turnover of 2-3 players per season, because the bulk of the squad is there. I wouldn’t be surprised if we have earmarked McTominay to be a long term DM, and he is working with Carrick on the role. And someone like Grealish will be brought in to add rotation for Bruno and Pogba, along with Fred.

Pereira has been written off by most, but I think he can be a useful player for cups etc. Dalot and Tuanzebe are both young and have lots of developing to do. Happy to give them time and maybe even a loan. Both have bags of talent. James had a brilliant start to the season but unsurprisingly found it tough to keep that level up in his first PL season. Still plenty to like about him, and a useful squad player.

Back to the question, Martial, Rashford, Sancho and Greenwood is a foursome I wouldn’t trade for what any other club has. The combination of their ages, potential, current ability, academy roots, and chemistry, just excites the living dickens out of me.

If we had managed to sign the two young Ajax lads, De Jong and De Ligt, I’d go as far as to say we had the best young team in the world. But you can’t win them all.

This.

I think in a couple of years, people will start to appreciate how much work Ole has done in the improvement fo our strike force. As good a striker's coach as he is a manager. The improvement in Martial is due to his man-management skills. Greenwood's improved in his off the ball awareness as the season progressed. And Rashford has been allowed to express himself.
My concern is the dependence on Bruno going forward. That has to be addressed together with the re-balacing of the right side of the attacking half. I can live with not getting a centre-half for next season (if there are budgetary constraints) because we can hopefully bring in Axel.

We had one of the lowest goals-against last season. Certainly not a lot of difference between City and the Scousers (33,35 and us at 36) -- considering our supposedly crappy, slow current centre-halves, declining goalie and limited centre backs. They can improve next season.

What we need to make up for the 30+ goals shortfall between the top two (in view of budgetary constraints.) That's more critical and the priority.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

If we get Sancho then that's a set of young attackers with as much potential as any in Europe. Get it done and add to the creative engine behind them.

 

[SAFMUTD]

In my humble opinion we need to move James and sign one more winger beside Sancho. Ismaila Sarr would be a wonderful addition.

Would be pretty much as James, just slightly better. Both are headless speedy players.

 

[lysglimt]

if we get Sancho - and he turns out to be a success - our attack can be scary!

 

[lysglimt]

Thats not true. A gooner mate of mine would take all of them incl Martial for Auba who he thinks is quite wasteful in his chances.

Eh your gooner-mate isn't that smart then - you can say what you want about Auba - but he is not wasteful.

 

[Skills]

Depends on the platform we give them to succeed. Guardiola could get 90-100 league goals out of them (the team itself not the 3 attackers), but I imagine we'll trudge along to 60-70

 

[Class of 63]

I'm quite moist at the thought of Greenwood, Martial, Rashford, Sancho and Anthony Elanga giving defenders at home and abroad sleepless nights soon, very soon.