Generally we don't. We score a lot of goals. Mason's chance conversion is 1 in 3, Bruno's goalscoring rate is ridiculous. Rashford also scores tons of goals, and has been doing so injured.What's the point of getting the ball forward if we struggle to finish.
My biggest and only concern about De Gea is his addiction not to venture out of the area when needed. He got Lindelof in trouble on Sunday when it was obvious De Gea should have claimed the ball. Happens too many times.Yes I will admit some still have valid concerns about the goalkeeper situation as well but would put those above it
I don't really disagree we need a midfielder, but we have also struggled with breaking teams down, which you argue has as much to do with our attacking players.Generally we don't. We score a lot of goals. Mason's chance conversion is 1 in 3, Bruno's goalscoring rate is ridiculous. Rashford also scores tons of goals, and has been doing so injured.
Our issue is failing to control games for long periods. We don't exert enough pressure on lesser teams to make them crack. We have spells of 10-15 minutes in games where we're on top. But then we lose control of midfield and it all peters out. We need a better midfield.
Part of the reason we struggle to break teams down is because the midfield is dysfunctional. How do you break down a team if your midfielders take five touches and then go sideways? It gives the opposition ample time to regroup, set up to defend and then you're just relying on Bruno or Pogba to do something special to break the deadlock.I don't really disagree we need a midfielder, but we have also struggled with breaking teams down, which you argue has as much to do with our attacking players.
I would also say Wolves biggest issue for the last 3 seasons has been when teams sit behind the ball, and Neves has really struggled in those games to have any real impact, so he isn't guaranteed to fix our issues. And Camavinga as good as he looks is he likely to walk into the team and be a starter .. I dunno maybe but it's not definite.
But I don't disagree we need a better balance in midfield playing 2 solid box to box type players does provide the right balance creatively or defensively, but I just think massively overspending this summer so we have no money until the summer of 2023, is a huge gamble especially when we know Cavani will likely leave, we may lose Pogba and we don't know how Greenwood is going to progress. Not to mention other issues that may come up, what happens if Wan Bissaka gets involved in a bad tackle and is sidelined for a year?
I'm much more in the camp if don't have the money, which looking at our finances and increasing debt it's reasonable to say we don't especially considering we spent 110 million already, then we shouldn't buy anyone. Clubs spending money they don't have rarely ends well.
Yeah only having ONE proper DM in the whole squad just seems so negligent to me, PSG would never sell him in a million years but my dream midfield signing is easily Verratti and happily break the bank for him next summerIsn’t there anybody in the reserves or youth setup that is a specialist DM to fill in? It really takes nothing to be an upgrade on Fred at the moment. Yesterday it was almost like playing with 10 men with him in the lineup.
Haaland for 200 mil, then no he’s not a priority. Haaland for the 60/70 mil release clause next season then he’s a must buy. If we could get him and Rice for 120 mil next summer then it would be a great window again.Why in the hell this team needs Haaland? I don't understand it.
United need to aim for Rice/FDJ (this might be too ambitious, I know) and Bellingham/Barella (for example).
Still think Pogba leaves and goes to Real next year. Some players just dream about Real and there's nothing you can do about it.
What are we doing with Ronaldo, Sancho, Rashford, Greenwood, Haaland and then even Martial, Lingard, Elanga, Diallo, Shoretire, Pellistri. It is completely unnecessary.Haaland for 200 mil, then no he’s not a priority. Haaland for the 60/70 mil release clause next season then he’s a must buy. If we could get him and Rice for 120 mil next summer then it would be a great window again.
It’s not completely unnecessary. First of all we need a big squad to cope with 4 competitions.What are we doing with Ronaldo, Sancho, Rashford, Greenwood, Haaland and then even Martial, Lingard, Elanga, Diallo, Shoretire, Pellistri. It is completely unnecessary.
Especially whilst we have no DM, Pogba is looking to leave and it remains to be seen whether de Gea/Hendo are good enough.
Yeah with Ronny there I would prioritise a top CDM next summer over Haaland any day of the week and of course we need to bring in a Pogba replacement when he inevitably runs down his contract, IF there is anything left then could ideally do with an attacking RB but DM & playmaking CM simply has to be the order next summer.I am not too concerned about Pogba leaving since he is competeing with Rashford and Sancho and rarely excels in a two man midfield, and we have Hannibal and Donny as well.
Haaland is much less of a need than a world class CDM, and we cannot afford both next summer.
What about if Pogba leaves?Quick look for summer '22
Outs:
Mata - Free
Cavani - Free
Lingard - Free
Matic - Free
Ins:
Haaland - £65-78m, whatever his release clause is (75-90m EUR)
Rice / Ndidi - £60m (assuming Rice doesn't sign a new deal and Leicester don't improve, leading to Ndidi wanting to leave)
Another RB
Squad:
GK: DDG / Henderson
RB: AWB / New RB
CB: Varane / Lindelof / Tuanzebe
CB: Maguire / Bailly
LB: Shaw / Telles
CM: Ndidi/Rice / McT
CM: Pogba / Fred
RW: Sancho / Greenwood
AM: Bruno / DVB
LW: Rashford / Martial
ST: Haaland / Ronaldo
That's a squad that should be winning league titles and Champions Leagues.
It Would be ideal to get one of the midfielders in January, especially if we intend to pursue Haaland as the Striker.We’ll need at least two midfielders and a striker next summer. You’re essentially replacing Matic, Pogba and Cavani, who will all leave. Van de Beek will be up in the air, too.
I’d expect Mata and Lingard to move on but we’d essentially replace them in-house through the academy.
A big job yet again. I’d like to think the club will attempt to get ahead in January, especially if Pogba hasn’t signed a contract. We’ll see.
We will have to look elsewhere than Haaland for a striker if we brought in TWO midfielders next summer because unlike City/Chelsea/PSG where money just grows on trees and is if no object we have to still balance the booksWe’ll need at least two midfielders and a striker next summer. You’re essentially replacing Matic, Pogba and Cavani, who will all leave. Van de Beek will be up in the air, too.
I’d expect Mata and Lingard to move on but we’d essentially replace them in-house through the academy.
A big job yet again. I’d like to think the club will attempt to get ahead in January, especially if Pogba hasn’t signed a contract. We’ll see.
Almost every club in Europe will be after Haaland, not least City and he will easily cost >100m. That rules us out.Quick look for summer '22
Outs:
Mata - Free
Cavani - Free
Lingard - Free
Matic - Free
Ins:
Haaland - £65-78m, whatever his release clause is (75-90m EUR)
Rice / Ndidi - £60m (assuming Rice doesn't sign a new deal and Leicester don't improve, leading to Ndidi wanting to leave)
Another RB
Squad:
GK: DDG / Henderson
RB: AWB / New RB
CB: Varane / Lindelof / Tuanzebe
CB: Maguire / Bailly
LB: Shaw / Telles
CM: Ndidi/Rice / McT
CM: Pogba / Fred
RW: Sancho / Greenwood
AM: Bruno / DVB
LW: Rashford / Martial
ST: Haaland / Ronaldo
That's a squad that should be winning league titles and Champions Leagues.
- Haaland's release clause kicks in next summer - most reports have it at 75m EUR rising to 90m EUR if certain criteria are met. Every major club in Europe will bid the release clause and then it's up to him and Raiola as to who he joins.Almost every club in Europe will be after Haaland, not least City and he will easily cost >100m. That rules us out.
Rice wants Chelsea and Chelsea want Rice so he will be very expensive as well.
Hopefully our scouts are up to something.
Then I'd go for an 8 as a priority over the RB, maybe try for Tielemans for the more creative option or Bissouma for a box-to-box to partner Ndidi/Rice.What about if Pogba leaves?
Yeah.To those who see Matic leaving on a free next summer - he signed a 2 year extension.
Thats CDM sorted, right?
He signed a deal to 2023 but it's a 2+1, meaning we don't have to trigger the extra year next summer.To those who see Matic leaving on a free next summer - he signed a 2 year extension.
Thats CDM sorted, right?
Fantastic young player but Dortmund wont sell him and Haaland in the same summer.In order of importance, according to me.
Midfield: I think a lot of people seem to have forgotten about Jude Bellingham. There wasnt a chance Dortmund were going to sell him to us this summer with selling Sancho too and maybe the lad himself felt another season in the BL would be beneficial for him. We've been in for him before and, for me, he'll definitely be somebody we're in for next season. Fits the profile of what we're looking for and is young with plenty of time for development. Has a good defensive work ethic, can carry the ball and (on the admittedly few times ive seen him) seems happy to recycle the ball quickly and usually forwards.