The right United forward/striker signing

SparkedIntoLife

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Sancho and Haaland would give us stacked first and second choice forward lines. Maybe too much competition but that's a much better situation than not enough. It's time we were more ambitious and trust that the cream of the crop will rise to the top.

1st choice -
Rashford * Martial * Sancho

2nd choice -
James * Haaland * Greenwood
 

Rocknrolla69er

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In my opinion we lack a Sheringham type of forward, someone who can do what Firminho does for Liverpool. The team clearly lacks brains and creativity going forward, somebody who can knit play together and keep hold of the ball.

It's a tough one as the above isn't all this team needs, you could argue we need a poacher, and also a Sancho type right winger.

It's the Lingaard, pereira, Mata tip of the midfield position that i thinks a clear problem and for this position I honestly think Insigne from Napoli would transform our attack, we retired signing Dybala for it but he doesn't want to come, let's test Napolis resolve for Isigne who offers dead ball quality as well as assists and quality going forward

For the record we defiantly need a right winger and a central midfielder in the Modric mould who can knit play and passes
 

André Dominguez

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Reliable strikers are very hard to find, and there's a reason why this position is normally the most expensive on football. Look at Lukaku: despite his flaws, it seemed like a safe deal, only to later find out that his flaws ended up being bigger than his qualities, and in the end we could had probably get the same end product by hiring Marega instead of Lukaku.
In nowadays market I don't know which striker could really check-in into our team and start delivering on a regular basis. And then you also have to count with surprises and late bloomers or even career resurrections.

And looking only to stats and numbers can be deceiving, otherwise clubs would be killing each other to hire Erik Sorga.
 

Walters_19_MuFc

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Why are people putting wingers when Ole quite clearly said striker?

We have runners on the wing in Rashford and James. Hopefully we're looking to add to the winger department in the summer. To compliment them, we need someone like Martial who can drop off and bring others into play.

Im not too familiar with Haaland so I cant really comment, but I personally think Ole will be targeting a back up striker, as I feel he really admires Martial. If rumours are to be believed and Haaland is being priced at around 80m, then I can't imagine Ole will be buying him.
 
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Walters_19_MuFc

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Sancho and Haaland would give us stacked first and second choice forward lines. Maybe too much competition but that's a much better situation than not enough. It's time we were more ambitious and trust that the cream of the crop will rise to the top.

1st choice -
Rashford * Martial * Sancho

2nd choice -
James * Haaland * Greenwood
Around 80 mil for a second choice striker?

I'd rather we get a decent back up and splash out on a right winger and attacking midfielder.
 

Mark Pawelek

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Marcus Thuram for me. Son of Lilian Thuram
5 goals + 5 assists in 11 league matches.
Tall, 192cm, and an arial threat.
Dribbles; but doesn't have lightning pace. No bother he still gets past his man.
Young, 22, just like Ole likes 'em. Can play any of #9, #10, or #11. Never seen him play #7, but in theory he could. He's right-footed.
 

SparkedIntoLife

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Around 80 mil for a second choice striker?

I'd rather we get a decent back up and splash out on a right winger and attacking midfielder.
Within a season or two, Haaland would replace Martial. I don't necessarily trust Martial long term at United. I think he'll improve but I don't see him staying at United for the long haul. I can see him having a really good end to this season and a great season next year before moving onto Madrid or PSG. Just a feeling. I think Haaland will move this Summer so it's then or never probably.
 

M Bison

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I think we’d get rinsed for him because Bournemouth don’t need the money, but I’m a fan of Calum Wilson.

In theory wouldn’t necessarily demand starting no 9 spot week in week out, but sort of fits the Ole mould.
 

JJ12

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I think we’d get rinsed for him because Bournemouth don’t need the money, but I’m a fan of Calum Wilson.

In theory wouldn’t necessarily demand starting no 9 spot week in week out, but sort of fits the Ole mould.
Are Bournemouth well off? Didn’t know that
 

sunama

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Sancho is the obvious choice

However, I think that ship has already sailed. We needed to get UCL and just get him last summer.

I have no idea, but surely we have scouts for this sort of thing? Actually starting to doubt we do have capable scouts it's been years since we had a proper right winger.
Our scouts are utterly useless.
I have more faith in posters on this forum to find hidden gems, than our scouts.
James is the only gem we have found in the last few years and it wasn't even our scouts who found him, it was Ryan Giggs (using his welsh connection), who found him.
 

sunama

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I take it OgS was on about Serge Gnabry the other day. . .

The man honestly takes the fans for fools; there are so many forwards that could improve us & he [in his own words] chose to sign not-a-one.

But apparently the one we’re after has become available 7/8 games into the season so it’ll be ok.
During the window, the excuse will be, "there were not suitable players available".
Once the window closes, "there are many players interested in joining MUFC".
The crazy thing is that some fans actually what Woodward and Ole say.
The truth is that they are on a tight budget and they can't spend huge amounts of money.
Last Summer our net spend was around £70M. This Summer it was around £65M. This suggests that yearly spend is around the £70M mark.
And for those who still believe that we will be buy in January: take note that we generally don't spend in January (we bought Mata when Moyes was here and we were desperate and Sanchez, when he was available for a low transfer fee).
 

Walters_19_MuFc

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I think we’d get rinsed for him because Bournemouth don’t need the money, but I’m a fan of Calum Wilson.

In theory wouldn’t necessarily demand starting no 9 spot week in week out, but sort of fits the Ole mould.
Decent shout, but he's had three long term injuries that could take its toll.
 

eire-red

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If we're going to play the way we've been playing the last few games, with Martial almost playing the false 9 and Rashford and James getting in behind then I don't see how we fit an out and out striker in that set up.

Ideally, although I think James has done brilliantly, we need a top quality inside forward on the right as well, preferably left footed who can score 15/20 goals a season also. Feel like it would give us a bit more balance.

The real area of the team that needs strengthening in this system is the No. 10 role and CM. Of course, Pobga could return and fill that playmaker role behind the front 3, and he's got plenty of goals in him too. If he goes, we need a top quality playmaker in there to take some of that responsibility off Martial.

Currently, I don't see a traditional centre forward fitting the current system. Think we need an all rounded attacker who will provide goals, assists, can get on the ball and stretch teams and play across the front 3 comfortably. Would love someone like Son, or a player like Felix could have worked if not for the ridiculous price.

We still need a backup option for Martial, but it seems like it would be overkill to spend a huge amount on a backup striker, when other areas are in desperate need of upgrading. Of course we need to buy, but shouldn't be spending a huge amount for an out and out striker. Some of the best football we've played this season has been a product of our current front 3's ingerchanging and link up play
 

Hawks2008

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Sancho and Haaland would give us stacked first and second choice forward lines. Maybe too much competition but that's a much better situation than not enough. It's time we were more ambitious and trust that the cream of the crop will rise to the top.

1st choice -
Rashford * Martial * Sancho

2nd choice -
James * Haaland * Greenwood
Well, look at City. They have 2 good players for each position, that's the kind of depth we need to get where we want to be so I wouldn't be against bringing those 2 in.
 

Tom Cato

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During the window, the excuse will be, "there were not suitable players available".
Once the window closes, "there are many players interested in joining MUFC".
The crazy thing is that some fans actually what Woodward and Ole say.
The truth is that they are on a tight budget and they can't spend huge amounts of money.
Last Summer our net spend was around £70M. This Summer it was around £65M. This suggests that yearly spend is around the £70M mark.
And for those who still believe that we will be buy in January: take note that we generally don't spend in January (we bought Mata when Moyes was here and we were desperate and Sanchez, when he was available for a low transfer fee).

The crazy thing is that some fans go with what makes sense to you without checking all that much, and making up facts as you go.

As someone who enjoys financial statements, from both MUFC and in general, I can tell you that that statement is utter bolony. The club has cash to spend. It does however not have oil owners who are happy to invest money into the club at no interest.

I mean, sure, we're on a budget, the same way Manchester City or Chelsea are on a budget. Ie. we're complaint with FFP. I think you're making the assumption that bidding £80m for a player means we pay £80m right away. That is almost never the case. Large cash deals are more often than not settled in installments so the annual spend is less than the total sum. (Almost all, not all deals are constructed this way. When Griezman joined Barcelona, Barca had to take up a bank loan to cough up the whole sum on the spot, to name one example).

In fact, we have quite the balance outstanding on previous transfers that's still being paid off. Fortunately the club is run by people who are extremely competent, who have managed the task of paying the clubs debt interest, player transfers, enormous wage bill and STILL turn a profit.

I know for a fact that the clubs financial situation is structurally sound enough to have a net spend greater than £150m and still have financial reserves in case of a unforseen drop in revenue (fact: gross revenue is increasing regardless).

I feel this is the perfect time to once again repeat that we tried to buy Christian Eriksen AND trade Lukaku for Paulo Dybala (the club tried HARD to make this one work, it fell through due to image rights) in the summer transfer window, which would have landed our net spend somewhere in the region of £170m (james,Maguire,AWB,Eriksen at £20m (ballpark, probably a overvaluation for the single year)). Ed Woodward enquired Dortumunds chairman before the window started about Jadon Sancho, we never placed a bid since the message was quite clearly that they would not entertain an offer. Sanchos valuation is £100m

Just because we don't have a net spend of biblical proportions, doesn't mean we aren't willing. The club VERY clearly are plenty willing to invest into the OGS project.

There are a few factors that will indicate that this January window is different than normal. Most importantly that the manager himself has indicated that there might be business done. Or it might not, this depends entirely if the players we are targeting can be had.

Erling Haaland is obviously a target, Oles head scout would not be scouting the player in Austria personally if there wasn't, especially this close to the transfer window opening. January might be the only window we have to avoid a costly bidding war. The same with Sancho,but we don't have any reliable sources on Sancho being a target in Jauary so right now that is simply wishful make believe.
 

AkaAkuma

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I like the look of Morelos, I can imagine him having a similiar effect as Forlan in the way the crowd really got behind him. Obvious he'd need to score more :smirk:
 

Rocknrolla69er

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Wouldn't mind Insigne from Napoli as our number 10 , would be the brains we need in the final third, dead ball specialist, assists galore, small tricky and looks like he's on his way out at Napoli, good age for us at 28 would offer us some leadership and experience
 

fps

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Ahh I felt his wages will he high. So I'd Mandzukic really the only striker we can get in January as back up option realistically speaking
It’s a shame I feel Cavani could have been a giant Man Utd player if signed 3-4 years ago, the start of Jose’s tenure instead of Lukaku for instance. There have been many players in recent years who feel like United players who the club haven’t pursued. Fergie would have been all over Sane for instance.
 

jamesjimmybyrondean

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I like the look of Morelos, I can imagine him having a similiar effect as Forlan in the way the crowd really got behind him. Obvious he'd need to score more :smirk:
He's banging in goals in Scotland and Europe League but Haaland is scoring x2 of those goals in Austria and in Champions league. If we're going for a striker from a lower league it should be Haaland
 

AkaAkuma

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He's banging in goals in Scotland and Europe League but Haaland is scoring x2 of those goals in Austria and in Champions league. If we're going for a striker from a lower league it should be Haaland
I wouldn't put Morelos above Haaland, but think he would have been a good third option back when it was more common.
 

Bestietom

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Based on Ole's own words:

"When you get players in, you need the right ones that are going to stay here for a long period of time and that's the long-term thinking we have to show.

"There were strikers available but not the ones we wanted. We couldn't get the one we wanted (in the summer)."

So our next striker should have this criteria:
- 18-26 years old
- High workrate
- High stamina
- Incredible fitness
- Possibly British
- High technical ability

Who is in that category?
Already here, GREENWOOD. What we need is someone different to what we have here already. A big strong striker who will hold the ball up for our forwards, and can win aerial duels and score from crosses.
 

Walters_19_MuFc

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If we're going to play the way we've been playing the last few games, with Martial almost playing the false 9 and Rashford and James getting in behind then I don't see how we fit an out and out striker in that set up.

Ideally, although I think James has done brilliantly, we need a top quality inside forward on the right as well, preferably left footed who can score 15/20 goals a season also. Feel like it would give us a bit more balance.

The real area of the team that needs strengthening in this system is the No. 10 role and CM. Of course, Pobga could return and fill that playmaker role behind the front 3, and he's got plenty of goals in him too. If he goes, we need a top quality playmaker in there to take some of that responsibility off Martial.

Currently, I don't see a traditional centre forward fitting the current system. Think we need an all rounded attacker who will provide goals, assists, can get on the ball and stretch teams and play across the front 3 comfortably. Would love someone like Son, or a player like Felix could have worked if not for the ridiculous price.

We still need a backup option for Martial, but it seems like it would be overkill to spend a huge amount on a backup striker, when other areas are in desperate need of upgrading. Of course we need to buy, but shouldn't be spending a huge amount for an out and out striker. Some of the best football we've played this season has been a product of our current front 3's ingerchanging and link up play
I agree with this, and this is what Neville was debating with Souness, and I guess why Ole didn't mind getting rid of Lukaku. He wants someone who can do a bit of everything.



From 5th minute.

That being said, he did speak about wanting a poacher a who scores tap-ins.

“We do create chances, we do create pressure,” Solskjaer said post-match. “It’s about those scrappy goals now.

"We have young players and they’ve got to learn to score those nasty little tap-ins that I did. They count just as much.”

Maybe he may want to sign a player who like himself or Hernandez - a super sub, if you like, who can come on and get us a goaif/when needed like Mourinho mentioned in the video.

Either way, we need someone in. If I was to choose, it be someone like Martial, who, as you said, compliments our wingers, who like to get in behind.

Might not be a popular choice, but I watch Memphis Depay for Holland and he plays that false 9 role fantastically well. Not sure whether we have a buy-back clause, but i'd be targeting someone like that.
 

AFC NimbleThumb

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During the window, the excuse will be, "there were not suitable players available".
Once the window closes, "there are many players interested in joining MUFC".
The crazy thing is that some fans actually what Woodward and Ole say.
The truth is that they are on a tight budget and they can't spend huge amounts of money.
Last Summer our net spend was around £70M. This Summer it was around £65M. This suggests that yearly spend is around the £70M mark.
And for those who still believe that we will be buy in January: take note that we generally don't spend in January (we bought Mata when Moyes was here and we were desperate and Sanchez, when he was available for a low transfer fee).
Careful. If you go by what OgS actually says you'll be derided for believing that what he says in public is actually what he thinks/feels whereas if you don't believe what he says you'll be called a conspiracy theorist - there honestly is no point bothering with it.

Whether we have money or not, OgS being involved in apportioning any of it led to a catastrophic summer window which some fans are still intent on denying [but it's their opinion so unlike most posters on here I'll leave them to it instead of throwing around insults]. The man trading off the good will he earned as a player rather than showing any outstanding managing ability but to say this offends so many people's senses there's no point bothering.

I can already see a member of the United board has retorted to your post with such insider knowledge he'll surely be removed from his position once they find out he's posting on a forum. Never ceases to amaze me how many posters will deride journalism but report news stories that suit their agenda as fact when it's necessary. We are fans on a forum, we have no real evidence [apart from reports from news sources that are shown to speculate more often then report facts] as to what bids were or were not lodged and at what value yet some posters seem intent on defending why deals fell through [something none of us know for a fact] instead of discussing how shambolic it was to finish the window with the signings we did without reinforcing other areas.
 

Adam-Utd

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Already here, GREENWOOD. What we need is someone different to what we have here already. A big strong striker who will hold the ball up for our forwards, and can win aerial duels and score from crosses.
Haaland does all of that, but is mobile and hungry too.

A 12 month fix in Mandzukic doesn’t do anything for us apart from short term relief, but he’s no guarantee he will do any better at his age.
 

eire-red

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I agree with this, and this is what Neville was debating with Souness, and I guess why Ole didn't mind getting rid of Lukaku. He wants someone who can do a bit of everything.



From 5th minute.

That being said, he did speak about wanting a poacher a who scores tap-ins.

“We do create chances, we do create pressure,” Solskjaer said post-match. “It’s about those scrappy goals now.

"We have young players and they’ve got to learn to score those nasty little tap-ins that I did. They count just as much.”

Maybe he may want to sign a player who like himself or Hernandez - a super sub, if you like, who can come on and get us a goaif/when needed like Mourinho mentioned in the video.

Either way, we need someone in. If I was to choose, it be someone like Martial, who, as you said, compliments our wingers, who like to get in behind.

Might not be a popular choice, but I watch Memphis Depay for Holland and he plays that false 9 role fantastically well. Not sure whether we have a buy-back clause, but i'd be targeting someone like that.
The quality of Memphis has always been there, but attitude is lacking. He plays like someone who already believes he's made it, when he's nowhere near the level that he thinks he is. Admittedly, I haven't seen much of him since he's gone to Lyon, so that may not be the case anymore.

As you said, his form for Holland has been good, but I don't see him performing at a higher level than Martial. The ideal signing would be a Salah-esque signing. A player that plays on the right and gets goals from wide positions, complimenting the threat of Rashford on the left leaving space for Pogba and Martial to do damage through the middle.

I only see the sense in buying a CF if it's a quality squad option, like as you said Hernandez, or a similar player to as what Ole was himself at United. The only central players we should be signing are CM's, a replacement for Pogba if he goes, or a real top class replacement for Martial.

The only problem is I don't see any names in the transfer market that seem to fit what we need. I would have thought Pepe would have been a good investment for the Lukaku money, but he hasn't really shown anything for Arsenal and you have to question a 'top' player that moves to Arsenal in the first place, in regards to ambition. Still, I could be wrong.

Sancho is the obvious choice, but the money it would cost would be crazy, and he's more of an out and out winger than the inside forward that I think we need. The next two windows are crucial, it will be interesting to see what happens
 

Walters_19_MuFc

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The quality of Memphis has always been there, but attitude is lacking. He plays like someone who already believes he's made it, when he's nowhere near the level that he thinks he is. Admittedly, I haven't seen much of him since he's gone to Lyon, so that may not be the case anymore.

As you said, his form for Holland has been good, but I don't see him performing at a higher level than Martial. The ideal signing would be a Salah-esque signing. A player that plays on the right and gets goals from wide positions, complimenting the threat of Rashford on the left leaving space for Pogba and Martial to do damage through the middle.

I only see the sense in buying a CF if it's a quality squad option, like as you said Hernandez, or a similar player to as what Ole was himself at United. The only central players we should be signing are CM's, a replacement for Pogba if he goes, or a real top class replacement for Martial.

The only problem is I don't see any names in the transfer market that seem to fit what we need. I would have thought Pepe would have been a good investment for the Lukaku money, but he hasn't really shown anything for Arsenal and you have to question a 'top' player that moves to Arsenal in the first place, in regards to ambition. Still, I could be wrong.

Sancho is the obvious choice, but the money it would cost would be crazy, and he's more of an out and out winger than the inside forward that I think we need. The next two windows are crucial, it will be interesting to see what happens
I recongnise that we need a winger/inside forward, but didnt mention that because I focused on the striker position.

We need two attacking players to add to our front line. Preferably, as you said, a player similar to Salah, who will get us goals from the wings. If we're looking for someone who is left footed, then Ziyech would probably be a good buy. Only thing is, he lacks the explosive pace that you'd want in a winger.

In regards to the striker role, I personally feel we should be looking at back up to Martial, rather than someone who will replace him.

We also need an attacking midfielder, but that should be left for another thread.
 

eire-red

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I recongnise that we need a winger/inside forward, but didnt mention that because I focused on the striker position.

We need two attacking players to add to our front line. Preferably, as you said, a player similar to Salah, who will get us goals from the wings. If we're looking for someone who is left footed, then Ziyech would probably be a good buy. Only thing is, he lacks the explosive pace that you'd want in a winger.

In regards to the striker role, I personally feel we should be looking at back up to Martial, rather than someone who will replace him.

We also need an attacking midfielder, but that should be left for another thread.
I agree, but I literally can't think of a back up striker who fits what we need. Mandzukic is a name mentioned a lot, and if he was 4 years younger then absolutely. Werner, Haaland, would they be happy to play second fiddle? It's a tough situation we're in at the moment, the transfer market has never been more difficult out there. It will be interesting to see what happens.

Ziyech is an interesting one, but be interesting to see if he could increase his output/end product. He would be fantastic in a high pressing set up, his energy is insane. It's a real interesting couple of transfer windows coming up.
 

croadyman

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Keep flip flopping between Werner & Haaland because really can't decide which player fits us better
 

Manutd1990

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Already here, GREENWOOD. What we need is someone different to what we have here already. A big strong striker who will hold the ball up for our forwards, and can win aerial duels and score from crosses.
Agreed, we need a 2nd choice striker who is strong in the air.
A GIroud type of player.
 

bond19821982

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Given that Haaland is gone , what are our options?

Dembele , Wilson , Werner

Is that it ?
 

jamesjimmybyrondean

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Given that Haaland is gone , what are our options?

Dembele , Wilson , Werner

Is that it ?
Would love I if we were in for Mertens. He'll be available in January. Don't know anything about him but I've seen rumors around October that we're targeting Aleksandr Sobolev
 

Manutd1990

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Would love I if we were in for Mertens. He'll be available in January. Don't know anything about him but I've seen rumors around October that we're targeting Aleksandr Sobolev
I think we should go for someone who can play of the right wing..
In case we dont get sancho.
Werner could do it, Richarlison could. Perhaps Bergwjin?
 

MrSingh2002

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Piatek

Was incredible before a nightmare year at AC Milan, Milan open to selling him in January. I don't see a striker with more potential anywhere than him.

Proper number 9 that gives us something we don't have at the moment. I predict if we don't sign him then we'll want him within a year or two for £90m.

Sign Piatek, Bruno Fernandes and a left back. All doable in January and play happily ever after.
 

friendlytramp

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It’s...Jamie feckin Vardy isn’t it!! Left out of squad today will be great for us for a couple of years til Greenwood matures. Ace