Paulo Dybala

[bosnian_red]

Where does Dybala fit into our system? Genuinely don't see it - we don't play with a 10 when Pogba plays, he's not a 9 and it looks like Rashford is going to be our 9 anyway, and he's not a winger.

Where do you see it work?

We've played every pre season game with a #10 in a 4231 and pretty much every Ole game last year had us playing a 4312 with Pogba part of the 3 and a roaming 1 behind Rashford and Martial (when everyone was fit). Potential to play a 433 in tougher games, and Dybala is versatile enough to play on the right in those games as he's played a big chunk of his career as a right inside forward, so again, not an issue.
433:

De Gea
AWB Maguire Lindelof Shaw
??? McTominay Pogba
Dybala Rashford Martial​

4231:

De Gea
AWB Maguire Lindelof Shaw
McTominay Pogba
??? Dybala Martial
Rashford​

4312:

De Gea
AWB Maguire Lindelof Shaw
??? McTominay Pogba
Dybala
Rashford Martial​

The ??? Is probably Lingard most of the time, but rotates with others dependent on system.

 

[tenpoless]

Anyone know if the lad speaks any English?

Has a TOEIC score of 986. As a comparison, Harry Kane has 780. Gerrard 525.

 

[Gee Male]

Yeah we do, as we have done all pre-season.

See later posts - Dybala at 10 and Lingard at 10 are miles different.

Dybala at 10 and Pogba at 8 would need some sort of miracle worker at 6 against a half decent midfield.

 

[EwanI Ted]

Where does Dybala fit into our system? Genuinely don't see it - we don't play with a 10 when Pogba plays, he's not a 9 and it looks like Rashford is going to be our 9 anyway, and he's not a winger.

Where do you see it work?

Dybala is just a typical modern footballer, who can play anywhere along the forward line without really being specialised. You can play him up front as long as you play a false 9 rather than a classic 9, and you can start him wide as long as you expect him to cut in and link up with players in the middle rather than beat men with dribbles and fling in crosses. Both of these are pretty standard tactics these days and I dont see why we're unable to employ them. To be honest, if we can't fit Dybala in to our team, then we're fishing in a very small pool because classic 9s and flying wingers are a pretty rare breed these days.

 

[Nialinho]

Can't help but feel that the way the press are framing this is they are priming up for a big let down to get a few kicks in at United, it'll also spice up the sort of nascent new protests that the media will jump on for clicks etc.

I sometimes think there's a bit of a media agenda against United but for so many journalists to completely fabricate a transfer story to 'get a few kicks in' would be absurd.

I bet you're a conspiracy theorist

 

[UnitedObsession99]

Your sources are the Metro and the Sun? I feel sorry for you that you'd even read those.

Just read the damn articles...
1) Terms not agreed on salary.. might be false as Metro not great, but would be typical of United so not unbelievable
2) Paulo's insta...refer to other comment i made on this point!

I just gooled for latest news and this is it!

 

[bosnian_red]

See later posts - Dybala at 10 and Lingard at 10 are miles different.

Dybala at 10 and Pogba at 8 would need some sort of miracle worker at 6 against a half decent midfield.

Lingard would still probably be there somewhere dependent on formation to balance it out. Balance is fine though.

 

[bonothom]

So by your logic we shouldn’t swap Dybala for Lukaku because Dybala is from the same country as a winger who failed here 5 years ago. So keep Lukaku and don’t play a 75 million pound striker who wants to leave or we could accept 50 mil from inter for him and take a 30+ million pound loss when the pound is weak compared to the euro. Seems about right.

I'm just saying I'd rather have the money and get a more suitable replacement. Rumours that he's already asking for silly money to come to United. I think United should steer clear of these mercenary signings. Young, talented, hungry players are what United need. Not a guy who sees United as a big wage and that's the only reason he"ll come here. Haven't we learned from the Sanchez debacle.

 

[UnitedObsession99]

He also liked a post about teaming up with Pogba again. So...

When? I know last year he made good comments about the Theatre of Dreams

 

[Treble]

How about reading the article...

It has nothing to do with the sun and all to do with Paulo's instagram liking a comment about staying at Juve. That said it could be a like for the love of Paulo! And could be someone who runs his twitter who doesn't want him to leave.

The bit about not agreeing a salary is more concerning. Would be typical of United to dive at the hurdle, rather than over it!

Liking a comment means feck all mate. The thing with wages is more important. Doubt we'd agree to pay him 200k a week after tax.

 

[Brownie85]

How about reading the article...

It has nothing to do with the sun and all to do with Paulo's instagram liking a comment about staying at Juve. That said it could be a like for the love of Paulo! And could be someone who runs his twitter who doesn't want him to leave.

I have, and I'll quote you the Metro paragraph where they use their source as The Sun:

While Dybala has not ruled out a move to Old Trafford, he wants to significantly bolster his £7.5m-a-year pay to move to the Theatre of Dreams and the Sun claim United are struggling to meet his £10m-a-year demands.

The Sun claim we can't meet his wage demands. I seriously doubt that seeing as we'd be shifting Lukaku off our books.

As for Instagram, yes let's read lots into that too, you know, like De Ligt liked a lot of stuff regarding United and still moved to Juve.

 

[Nick7]

See later posts - Dybala at 10 and Lingard at 10 are miles different.

Dybala at 10 and Pogba at 8 would need some sort of miracle worker at 6 against a half decent midfield.

You know, thinking about it. If we had a more fluid formation with two hard workers alongside Dybala in the 3 behind the striker it could work. The 2 outside players floating inwards to midfield when needed. Maybe, I'm just trying to rationalise a starting XI with him in it. But it could work.

 

[tenpoless]

We've played every pre season game with a #10 in a 4231 and pretty much every Ole game last year had us playing a 4312 with Pogba part of the 3 and a roaming 1 behind Rashford and Martial (when everyone was fit). Potential to play a 433 in tougher games, and Dybala is versatile enough to play on the right in those games as he's played a big chunk of his career as a right inside forward, so again, not an issue.
433:

De Gea
AWB Maguire Lindelof Shaw
??? McTominay Pogba
Dybala Rashford Martial​

4231:

De Gea
AWB Maguire Lindelof Shaw
McTominay Pogba
??? Dybala Martial
Rashford​

4312:

De Gea
AWB Maguire Lindelof Shaw
??? McTominay Pogba
Dybala
Rashford Martial​

The ??? Is probably Lingard most of the time, but rotates with others dependent on system.

The tragedy of still not having a RW even if Dybala comes here. Fecking Lingards luck.

 

[Nick7]

I have, and I'll quote you the Metro paragraph where they use their source as The Sun:

While Dybala has not ruled out a move to Old Trafford, he wants to significantly bolster his £7.5m-a-year pay to move to the Theatre of Dreams and the Sun claim United are struggling to meet his £10m-a-year demands.

The Sun claim we can't meet his wage demands. I seriously doubt that seeing as we'd be shifting Lukaku off our books.

As for Instagram, yes let's read lots into that too, you know, like De Ligt liked a lot of stuff regarding United and still moved to Juve.

He wants a lot of money. He's apparently on 7m euro a year after tax in Italy and wants about 10m euro after tax. That's a shed load of money.

 

[BluesJr]

Just read the damn articles...
1) Terms not agreed on salary.. might be false as Metro not great, but would be typical of United so not unbelievable
2) Paulo's insta...refer to other comment i made on this point!

I just gooled for latest news and this is it!

Googling for latest news doesn't mean you're getting reliable information. Get on twitter and follow decent sources who'll report concrete updates when they have them.

 

[Jim Beam]

You know, thinking about it. If we had a more fluid formation with two hard workers alongside Dybala in the 3 behind the striker it could work. The 2 outside players floating inwards to midfield when needed. Maybe, I'm just trying to rationalise a starting XI with him in it. But it could work.

You're right. That would absolutely work with Dybala in the 3 behind the striker. Probably a best use of him in such position.

Which is why Martial might struggle of all people if we pull this off imo.

 

[Gee Male]

You know, thinking about it. If we had a more fluid formation with two hard workers alongside Dybala in the 3 behind the striker it could work. The 2 outside players floating inwards to midfield when needed. Maybe, I'm just trying to rationalise a starting XI with him in it. But it could work.

It could, but Pogba can hardly be ine of those hard workers so wed be looking at moving him to LW maybe?

Not aiming this at you, but I'm not against the swap despite what I'm saying here, I'm just trying to rationalise how this fits. It might seem.like too good an opportunity to pass up, but I'm concerned that it would upset our balance too much.

The alternative view is that Dybala could just be better than Pogba or Rashford so the issue is for them to fit around him rather than vice versa. I just don't see the 3 together as being a natural fit.

 

[MUFC OK]

The good thing about this one is that it will be resolved quickly, if he comes back to Juve for training then he's not coming here.

So yeah, go to bed!

Well that's that then. Never really believed it was possible anyway.

Edit: I want nothing to to with an ageing Mandzukic.

 

[ThinkTank@Cafe]

Always amuses me when I read this. Fair enough for Daniel James or Roy Carroll when you signed him from Wigan in league 1 years back but Serie A is hardly some backwater league and he played for Argentina in the copa america a few weeks back.

Oh and he played twice and scored the winner in one of them v Man. United in CL last season.

Unless you're running a business or a family and don't have time there is believe it or not some decent football to watch outside of the premier league.

Edit: Unless you're talking about Bruno of course which would be more understandable.

I watch only United’s Premier League and CL knock off games. CL games start 00:45 here in Almaty.

And yes, I run both business and family. By the way, accepting that people are different is the way to happiness.

 

[dogwithabone]

Sanchez = past it physically
Di Maria = polar opposite to the managers play style and mentality
Falcao = 8 months after ACL surgery while being old while have RvP and Rooney

Dybala = 25 years old, no big injuries and good record of staying fit, fits in the formation and system we'll play, suits fast paced counter attacking style of play.

Also good chance it makes Pogba happier to stay here longer, especially if we improve a lot on the pitch.

I wonder if Pogba has had a say in this ? It would be player power gone mad but I wouldn’t be surprised if he has put forward two or three names to sign in a bid to appease him for at least another season.

 

[Nick7]

You're right. That would absolutely work with Dybala in the 3 behind the striker. Probably a best use of him in such position.

Which is why Martial might struggle of all people if we pull this off imo.

Yeah it would not suit Martial. Or many players. Lingard and Pereira would work. But that's sacrificing attacking creativity. It's a tough question to see how he would work.

 

[Adzzz]

I sometimes think there's a bit of a media agenda against United but for so many journalists to completely fabricate a transfer story to 'get a few kicks in' would be absurd.

I bet you're a conspiracy theorist

I didn't mention anything about fabrication, I think we probably did meet his agents yesterday, far too much smoke for that. That isn't to say that they aren't letting on more than they know, particularly as they all say it now hinges on Dybala saying yes. I can already see the headlines if it's "no."

 

[UnitedObsession99]

Googling for latest news doesn't mean you're getting reliable information. Get on twitter and follow decent sources who'll report concrete updates when they have them.

I'm not sure any source is particularly reliable prior to the deal being agreed! So just feed off whatever scraps can get and hope there isn't out right lying, e.g. saying agreed/ not agreed when have no real idea.

 

[Nick7]

It could, but Pogba can hardly be ine of those hard workers so wed be looking at moving him to LW maybe?

Not aiming this at you, but I'm not against the swap despite what I'm saying here, I'm just trying to rationalise how this fits. It might seem.like too good an opportunity to pass up, but I'm concerned that it would upset our balance too much.

The alternative view is that Dybala could just be better than Pogba or Rashford so the issue is for them to fit around him rather than vice versa. I just don't see the 3 together as being a natural fit.

Yeah, no I definitely get you. It's a really interesting topic actually. Is he worth getting simply because he's a great player? That's a tough question to answer. Would we be signing him because he fits into the team Ole wants, or are would we just be signing him because he's available?

 

[Lennon7]

Yeah it would not suit Martial. Or many players. Lingard and Pereira would work. But that's sacrificing attacking creativity. It's a tough question to see how he would work.

I think it’d work with Martial up top. He does a lot better down the middle as opposed to receiving and converting crosses. And he’s probably our best forward technically.

 

[Nick7]

I think it’d work with Martial up top. He does a lot better down the middle as opposed to receiving and converting crosses. And he’s probably our best forward technically.

True. I could see Dybala and Martial linking up well too.

 

[UnitedObsession99]

The tragedy of still not having a RW even if Dybala comes here. Fecking Lingards luck.

Bang Greenwood in there for now, with a touch of Dalot. Lingard for fast counter attacking games. Mata for tight packed defence games...plenty of make do's!

 

[RedNed77]

Dybala is just a typical modern footballer, who can play anywhere along the forward line without really being specialised. You can play him up front as long as you play a false 9 rather than a classic 9, and you can start him wide as long as you expect him to cut in and link up with players in the middle rather than beat men with dribbles and fling in crosses. Both of these are pretty standard tactics these days and I dont see why we're unable to employ them. To be honest, if we can't fit Dybala in to our team, then we're fishing in a very small pool because classic 9s and flying wingers are a pretty rare breed these days.

4 goals and 5 assists from the RW in the league last year would suggest he’s not as flexible as you’re suggesting. Those are Lingard/Mata numbers. We don’t need a number 10. I don’t recall anybody on here saying at the end of last year that a number 10 was what we needed. People are just desperately wanting us to sign players now for the sake of it.

 

[ThinkTank@Cafe]

We've played every pre season game with a #10 in a 4231 and pretty much every Ole game last year had us playing a 4312 with Pogba part of the 3 and a roaming 1 behind Rashford and Martial (when everyone was fit). Potential to play a 433 in tougher games, and Dybala is versatile enough to play on the right in those games as he's played a big chunk of his career as a right inside forward, so again, not an issue.
433:

De Gea
AWB Maguire Lindelof Shaw
??? McTominay Pogba
Dybala Rashford Martial​

4231:

De Gea
AWB Maguire Lindelof Shaw
McTominay Pogba
??? Dybala Martial
Rashford​

4312:

De Gea
AWB Maguire Lindelof Shaw
??? McTominay Pogba
Dybala
Rashford Martial​

The ??? Is probably Lingard most of the time, but rotates with others dependent on system.

Good post. It’s fun to read some comments about positions, players, etc, and realize that the posters don’t watch the games. FM players here are spotted momentarily.

Ole is consistently playing 4-2-3-1 the whole pre-season. His logic is clear. If we sort N10, and buy Maguire, this window will well exceed my expectations. As for RW, I would definitely buy one. Don’t think James is ready. I’d also buy a CM.

 

[Jim Beam]

Yeah it would not suit Martial. Or many players. Lingard and Pereira would work. But that's sacrificing attacking creativity. It's a tough question to see how he would work.

Tbf if Martial don't start to put serious shift he might struggle anyway. I would take Dybala in a second as he is technically brilliant and would lift some of creative burden from Pogba which we badly need.

Can play as a second striker, false 9... Even as a 10 against most teams imo. In tougher games and if he is at 10 just surround him with higher work-rate as you said.

 

[golden_blunder]

Nail on the head.

Not really

 

[Nick7]

Tbf if Martial don't start to put serious shift he might struggle anyway. I would take Dybala in a second as he is technically brilliant and would lift some of creative burden from Pogba which we badly need.

Can play as a second striker, even false 9... Even as a 10 against most teams imo. In tougher games and if he is at 10 just surround him with higher work-rate.

Yeah, let's not forget games like Spurs last year where I think Martial and Rashford played up top out wide with Lingard as an almost false 9.

 

[Lennon7]

True. I could see Dybala and Martial linking up well too.

It’s just trying to fit in Rashford and Pogba too. Perhaps:

Rashford - Martial
———Dybala———
Pogba ——— McT

With Shaw and AWB’s attacking prowess providing the attacking width. Would definitely be very light defensively though which is why I’ve been saying for a while we need to sign a top quality DM as well.

Or

Rashford - Martial - Dybala
— Pogba ——— Pereira —
——— McTominay ———

With Dybala playing a much improved version of the familiar, slightly effective Mata role we’ve seen in recent years i.e. coming inside a lot to play a pass.

 

[Gee Male]

Yeah, no I definitely get you. It's a really interesting topic actually. Is he worth getting simply because he's a great player? That's a tough question to answer. Would we be signing him because he fits into the team Ole wants, or are would we just be signing him because he's available?

I find it interesting too - enough to bring me back to posting on the Caf!

 

[Jim Beam]

Yeah, let's not forget games like Spurs last year where I think Martial and Rashford played up top out wide with Lingard as an almost false 9.

Aye, one of the formations where he would thrive I believe.

 

[Andycoleno9]

https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/i-want-to-stay-at-juventus-dybala-disputes-brother-s-claims

Shall we ignore this?. This was 2 months ago

 

[AltiUn]

https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/i-want-to-stay-at-juventus-dybala-disputes-brother-s-claims

Shall we ignore this?

That's from May.

 

[EwanI Ted]

4 goals and 5 assists from the RW in the league last year would suggest he’s not as flexible as you’re suggesting. Those are Lingard/Mata numbers. We don’t need a number 10. I don’t recall anybody on here saying at the end of last year that a number 10 was what we needed. People are just desperately wanting us to sign players now for the sake of it.

If he's played as striker he scores more, what a surprise. Doesnt mean he's a donkey in other positions.

 

[BBD10]

https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/i-want-to-stay-at-juventus-dybala-disputes-brother-s-claims

Shall we ignore this?. This was 2 months ago

Sarri hadnt even been named manager there at that time had he? A lot can change in 2 months of a transfer window.

 

[romufc]

It's not at all Lukaku wages you read are gross whereas Dybala wages you read are net meaning he is closer to Sanchez wages

I read somewhere 10-12m euros. Lukaku is on 8/9m euros at United.

 

[Kostur]

At this point I hope we don't get him and get full money instead. It looks like he doesn't want to come here, it's going to be another case of ADM if we land him.