Whilst I don't disagree with a diamond formation being effective at times, I don't think you're fixing many of our problems here to be honest.
In no particular order:
- Lukaku is not Man Utd quality as part of an 11 man front line, let alone a one, two or three man strike force. Also, he wants to leave.
- Martial has proven he does not have the character to succeed here. Whilst we haven't seen the best of him due to the lack of cohesion in the team for years on end, I feel it is time to let him go as well. On pitch demeanour is shocking. Not direct or dynamic enough.
- The lack of defensive cover will continue by playing a centre midfield of Pogba and Fred, regardless of how good the incoming DM is.
- I do think we need width and capable wingers. Playing with just full backs against all the teams that sit back against us is not going to work. Nor are the strikers going to run the channels enough to offer the width we need. I think we'll be easily pressed out of a game in that formation.
I absolutely agree that we need a formation that will get the best out of Pogba. I just don't think him being deep or out close to a flank is going to do that. Therefore my approach would be that following below.
I will say that this club is in a real state and I don't care that people say you cannot change a team too much in one window. It absolutely needs to be done. As Keane said, there are bluffers here; multiple players that do not have the right commitment, drive, personality, ownership, responsibility to play for this club. Let me ask those of you who think you can't perform deep surgery on a squad without a lack of cohesion the next year: would you rather perform minor surgery and finish 6th, or major surgery and finish 6th whilst having spent that year gelling your next generation squad ????? Think about it.
FIRST 11
SQUAD PLAYERS
Squad by position:
GK
Romero
Grant - (hg)
Henderson - (hg) (cg)
CB
Romagnoli
Skriniar
Smalling (hg)
Lindelof
LB
Shaw (hg)
Borthwick-Jackson (hg) (cg)
RB
Wan Bissaka (hg)
Dalot
Fosu-Mensah (hg) (cg)
DM/CM
Sangare
Bakayoko
McTominay (hg) (cg)
Pereira (hg) (cg)
AM
Pogba (hg) (cg)
Lingard (hg) (cg)
Gomes (u21)
LM/W/F
Saint-Maximin
Chong (u21)
RM/W/F
Sancho (hg)
Pepe
ST
Griezmann
Rashford (hg) (cg)
Greenwood (u21)
NOTES:
- For the most part the purchases are of young players with a future, pretty much the only transfer ball park we can operate in at the moment.
- Our youth products/u21's are highly involved, as they should form the core of Ole's future Utd mentality.
- Could consider a loan move for Bale with absolutely no intention of purchasing afterward. Ball in our court as they want rid.
- Sangare is an imposing deep lying defensive midfield shield who absolutely has forward passing. Has great potential.
- Bakayoko on loan has actually looked good this year and has the defensive frame and dynamism to free Pogba. Chelsea would surely sell.
- If not the above, potentially a cheap move for Luiz Gustavo for ball winning midfielder to replace Matic. More agile and also has passing range.
- Saint Maximin is as natural a winger as you will find. Absolutely explosive. Think prime Giggs, Overmars. Has more gears than Martial.
- Boufal is a quality dribbler on the wing. Hasn't had the best of it at Southampton, but had a good season in Spain. I'd look at him.
- I know Griezmann is 28 and would cost a bomb, but he would bring goals, technique, a change from Lukaku shite up front and would keep Pogba here. If not Griezmann then Jovic looks of similar potential and has two good feet and seems strong.
- Sancho, if he'll consider us could be our future. His right foot can join Pepe's left foot for right wing options. These plus Saint-Maximin can share wing forward duties.
- Other centre backs we could look at: Elvedi, Koulibaly, Tah, Joachim Andersen, Kevin Vogt, Upamecano, Konate, even Willy Boly!
Transfer outs:
De Gea - 75 mil
Rojo - 10 mil
Jones - 10 mil
Bailly - 15 mil
Darmian - 5 mil
Valencia - free
Young - 2.5 mil
Matic - 10 mil
Herrera - free
Fred - 20 mil
Mata - free
Martial - 40 mil
Sanchez - free
Lukaku - 50 mil
---------------
237.5 million
---------------
Transfer in:
Romagnoli - 45 mil
Skriniar - 55 mil
Wan Bissaka - 40 mil
Sangare - 35 mil
Bakayoko - 35 mil
Saint-Maximin - 30 mil (contract up 2020)
Sancho - 100 mil
Pepe - 65 mil
Griezmann - 80 mil
---------------
485.0 million
---------------
NET SPEND: 247.5 million