What do we still need? Aka The never ending story

Assuming we only get 5 signings.

CB Todibo seems a non brainer to me considering the Nice links. Perfect replacement for Varane. I like Marc Guhei but problems are English tax especially if he has a good Euros also him and Lichi leaves us a bit short of height for CB pairing.

LB Patrick Dorgu 19 years old highly rated at Leece . Keep Malacia as nobody touching him after his injury last year and use Shaw to cover LCB. But also remains first choice Left Back

CDM Amadou Onana athletic , premier league proven. Fofana would be cheaper but not seen enough but could do a very good job also.

CM Joao Neves dream target for most on here but probably wont come because we not in the champions league and FFP issues. Alternative option Ederson Atalanta.

ST this is a tough market because their is a lack of top class number 9s in modern football, which means you will be paying over the odds. Jonathan David could be worth a go. Fairly good all around player and versatile can play either side which is a bonus. Ivan Toney is premier league proven but again way too expensive. Zirkzee is probably the favourite choice. We badly need a ST but I am undecided on the best option.
 
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The-Mezzala said:
CDM Amadou Onana tall physical player, decent on the ball athletic
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I don’t see what anyone has seen in him to think he’s of the required standard; he’s really basic with the ball.

It’s no secret Everton would want stupid money either.
 
The-Mezzala said:
Assuming we only get 5 signings.

CB Todibo seems a non brainer to me considering the Nice links. Perfect replacement for Varane. I like Marc Guhei but problems are English tax especially if he has a good Euros also him and Lichi leaves us a bit short of height for CB pairing.

LB Patrick Dorgu 19 years old highly rated at Leece . Keep Malacia as nobody touching him after his injury last year and use Shaw to cover LCB. But also remains first choice Left Back

CDM Amadou Onana tall physical player, decent on the ball athletic , premier league proven. Fofana would be cheaper but not seen enough but could do a very good job also.

CM Joao Neves dream target for most on here but probably wont come because we not in the champions league and FFP issues. Alternative option Ederson Atalanta.

ST this is a tough market because their is a lack of top class number 9s in modern football, which means you will be paying over the odds. Jonathan David could be worth a go. Fairly good all around player and versatile can play either side which is a bonus. Ivan Toney is premier league proven but again way too expensive. Zirkzee is probably the favourite choice. We badly need a ST but I am undecided on the best option.
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You may want to revise the first one now
 
golden_blunder said:
Turn FM off and step away from the computer

if you think we’re gonna somehow release/sell 17 and buy 8 at a cost of 400m in one window, you’ve lost your marbles
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You beat me to the same reply but let the kid dream right?
 
looks like Todibo can't happen due to Sir Jim having part ownership in both Nice and United. UEFA is going to stop that transfer from happening
 
Areas we are desperately in need. .

Central defence we need at least 1 defender who can play every week.

Left back, goes without saying. Can see Shaw playing CB now and us bringing in a first choice lb.

Defensive midfield to replace casemiro. Amrabat did well toward the end of the season so wouldn't be against us signing him for that position.

Striker, we only have so this is nailed on!
 
Very unrealistic but feck it I want to post this because I am frustrated:

LB: Theo Hernandez 70m (fee would probably attract Milan)
CB: Branthwaite 55m (now that Yoro and Todibo look unlikely) or/and Kim Min Jae 35m (personally I prefer him over De Ligt).
DM: Aurelien Tchouameni 65m (in case Real has to sell players because of Mbappe, they have an overloaded MF).
RW/AM: Xavi Simons loan
ST: Maximilian Baier 25m

Get Joao Neves in 2025.
 
I'm a bit baffled that we didn't try to bring Matsen in. Good value for money, and most importantly, no injuries, so a reliable LB.
 
Woziak said:
The problem with Joshua Zirkee, he’s more of a number 10 or deep lying striker that likes to set up goals for inverted strikers, physically he’s a unit, not that quick has good feet and quite creative but the Agent want €15m to facilitate the transfer and the rumour is they are looking for £150-175k wages. That means the whole deal is £33.7m transfer fee £12.65m Agent Fees paid this summer and restrictive to FSR of UEFA and wages of £7-8m per year, so cash this summer £20m for first instalment and Agent Fees, that’s cash that needs to be paid this summer and then Zirkee would cost £6.8m in transfer fee and £7.2m in wages, I see no value in this deal £14m per year on our accounts and £20m upfront, no wonder Milan are dragging their feet?
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Yeah it’s getting ridiculous now with these agents, it really shouldn’t be allowed.

so could zirkzee be future Bruno replacement then? I can’t help but feel we need an out and out goal scorer with prove experience for the younger lads to work with.
 
You may want to revise the first one now

Yes, big blow. Seemed like a perfect fit . Looks like its Branthwaite or De Ligt.
 
G-manc said:
I don’t see what anyone has seen in him to think he’s of the required standard; he’s really basic with the ball.

It’s no secret Everton would want stupid money either.
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Considering we have no chance of getting the Palhinhas and Bruno Guimarães. He seemed like one of the better players out there for that position. But I only watch Premier League , Serie A and The El Classico if its on. Sure you and others on here who watch more European football will know a cheaper better player we can target?
 
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ForeverRed1 said:
Yeah it’s getting ridiculous now with these agents, it really shouldn’t be allowed.

so could zirkzee be future Bruno replacement then? I can’t help but feel we need an out and out goal scorer with prove experience for the younger lads to work with.
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I hate to use the comparison because Zirkzee is not fit to lace Eric Cantona boots but in style very similar but without the true elite end product, maybe even more stylistic to Ruud Gullit again but not fit to lace his boots.

What you have here is a young rough diamond that probably doesn’t know how good he could be if he truly believed in himself. The advantage is we could line up with Zirkzee and Hojlund Garnaucho and Rashford on the wings and Bruno Next to Mainoo in an all out attack, Zirkzee if he finds form will be a game changer but he could also be a huge miss like Gatkpo or Nunez at Liverpool and struggle with the pace and intensity of the EPL.
 
golden_blunder said:
It’s for his own good, we don’t want no crying come the end of August and we’ve made 3-4 signings and got rid of 6
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That would be better than I’m expecting I think we sign 3 players, a couple of loans, Sell 3 or 4 and loan Sancho out, we still have Matt Hargreaves and others dealing with transfers. I know he’s quite new but I wasn’t impressed with his work last summer especially since he’s suppose to be some hard ass negotiation Guru from Adidas.
 
Why aren't we in for Bradley Locko? Would cost only 13m and is as talented as Kerkez or any other LB we're linked with.
 
With the number of obvious outgoings and unfavourable contract situations with a number of players I can see a lot of outgoings this summer. So I think the focus this summer should be:

1) Rebuilding our defence

With Varane definitely gone, plus possibly Lindelof and AWB, and a dodgy LB situation, I'd like to see us bring in players that suit playing an aggressive high line, that are good with the ball, and ideally have the flexibility to cover more than one position.

Geertruida - CB (+RB) = £25m
Calafiori or Inacio - CB (+LB) = £40-50m
Sugawara - RB = £15m

2) Rebuilding our midfield

Casemiro is almost certainly going this summer to Saudi leaving a huge gap in midfield to fill in the 6 position. For me, the no. 6 market is looking rather slim in terms of someone who is highly athletic as well as technical, but there is one player that fits that bill and has a year in the Prem under his belt (and his name is not Onana).

Baleba - DM = £55m
Neves - CM (+DM) = £75m

3) Back-up Striker

With Martial going we need another option up top to rotate with Hojlund. There are two options, either 1) we find a like-for-like rotational option with Hojlund who is cheap and a bit older, or 2) we find someone who is a different profile who offers tactical flexibility.

1) Guirassy - ST = £17m
or
2) Zirkzee - ST (+SS) = £34m

Total spend = £230m - £250m

Given I think we can sell Casemiro (£35m), Greenwood (£30m - pure PSR profit), Sancho (£35m), AWB (£15m), Lindelof (£10m), VDB (£5m), Pellistri (£10m), Alvaro (£5m - pure PSR profit), I genuinely don't think this is impossible.
 
A creative window:

- Ousmane Diomande RCB 50m
- Stahinja Pavlovic LCB/LB 20m
- Bradley Locko LB 15m
- Ezequiel Fernandez DM 10m (Porto strongly linked = green flag)
- Joao Neves DM/CM 75m
- Luka Jovic free (I'm reading he will sign a one year extension with Milan, so maybe we'd have to pay a 20m fee, BUT he hasn't signed it officially yet)

= only 170m spent
 
Lemon Moon said:
We must be looking at the LB position, does anyone know who could be on our shortlist?
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Yeah, I'm not hearing nearly enough about that. Going into next season with Shaw and Malacia as the only options would be very bad. I'd be surprised if you get 20 games total between the two of them.
 
I guess we are going to see a 4222 formation much more often next year. Thus, we are missing two starters, assuming Casemiro leaves:

Onana
Dalot - XX - Martinez - Shaw
XX - Mainoo
Burno - Mount
Holjund - Garnacho

We need a starter central defender and midfield. Then, if the budget allows, I guess we will try to sign a back up left back and a striker. Also, a midfielder if Amrabat doesn't stay or we don't trust Mount to stay fit.

This formation fits most of our squad. For the build-up, I guess Shaw will be the inverted fullback and Dalot will move forward while Bruno will stay in the middle.
 
Let us be realistic. Do I want us to sell all the deadwood and sign a significant amount of players to upgrade the team? Yes! With our current setup not in place, lack of funds, do I believe we would do so? No



With Evans contract extended and strong rumours about us signing minimum 1 CB, Lindelöf is the most likely player to be sold. He has 1 year left of his contract and do not have astronomical wages no one would touch. Would leave us with Martinez, Maguire, Evans, Shaw and new CB (5)


I like Amrabat. I believe he can offer something to the team as a proper DM if used correctly and not as a key starter. Also he would be cheap to acquire.Nevertheless, I believe we won’t sign him on a permanent deal and would instead go for a more dynamic DM/CM that would compete directly with Casemiro or play with him. While Casemiro has had a bad season I do not think we can or would sell him and also if used properly he is not a bad player. Likely, I also do not think that Eriksen would be sold. He might stay his contract out and be an impact player especially in EL. This would leave us with Casemiro, McTominay, Eriksen, Mainoo, new CM/DM. Is this most desired solution? No but most likely how it would end and if ETH utilizes the players to their strength it should work in the end


Martial is officially leaving and it is no surprise that we need a starting CF that can compete directly with Hojlund for the best of the team and Hojlunds development. This would leave us with Hojlund, New CF and Rashdord as options in top


Shaw is injury prone, Malacia has been out for 12 months. The future of AWB is uncertain, and if he stays I don’t think we will extend his contract next year. I believe we would and should look into a RB or LB player to supplement the above mentioned 4 players. Ideally that person is a starting LB that can compete with Shaw and also allow for Shaw to play LCB. If we do not find a proper LB I would also be ok if we signed and equally good RB which would allow for Dalot to play LB from time to time, not ideal but could work if the RB is of high quality



Most realistically I believe we would get four players in:

  • CB
  • RB/LB
  • DM/CM
  • CF


I don’t think we sign more than the above mentioned players. If we do it would be a big bonus if not I would be fine as long as we find 4 players that can start / compete to start from day 1 and hence strengthen us in 4 positions



Below players have already left or would most likely leave permanently:

  • Varane
  • Lindelof
  • Williams
  • Amrabat (not signed)
  • Forson
  • Martial
  • Pellistri
  • Greenwood


There are many other players I would like sold and improved on, but given their astronomical wages, or limited form/games last 12 months, or injuries I don’t believe we would permanently sell more than the above mentioned players. If we do it is a bonus if we don’t then hopefully ETH finds a way to utilize them in the team
 
Watching Frimpong wide in a 3 behind the striker last night made me think he’d be a shrewd signing for his rumoured release clause as he could potentially make us more solid against the ‘bigger’ teams in that role whilst also being a more expansive RB option; especially now we’ve seemingly missed out on Olise.
 
Bayern are confident they can get Xavi Simons alongside Olise. Loan + 50m buy clause. We should hijack that loan deal. Ten Hag also gonna like the Dutch connection. His versatility and quality would help a lot.
 
aeh1991 said:
A creative window:

- Ousmane Diomande RCB 50m
- Stahinja Pavlovic LCB/LB 20m
- Bradley Locko LB 15m
- Ezequiel Fernandez DM 10m (Porto strongly linked = green flag)
- Joao Neves DM/CM 75m
- Luka Jovic free (I'm reading he will sign a one year extension with Milan, so maybe we'd have to pay a 20m fee, BUT he hasn't signed it officially yet)

= only 170m spent
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And none proven in the EPL that’s why at best only one of these signings happen?
 
Given the tight transfer budget, we’ll have to work on targets that are off the radar. The scousers were in a similar position in Klopp’s first few years but turned what were initially deemed as underwhelming signings of Salah, Robertson, Mane and Wijnaldum into key parts of their title and euro winning teams. Time for the scouts and new structure to do their work and our supporters to have some patience.
 
Essentially, we need upgrades in almost every position, but we need to be realistic because this isn't FM. At the absolute maximum, I think we could buy 5 players, depending on how many players we sell. Right now, there are players on the market that are available for us that very likely won't be next summer, and those are players with so much potential that we should do everything we can to get them, even if it prevents us from getting a player in a certain position that we need. Those players I'm talking about are Joao Neves and Nico Williams. These two plus a centre back or a striker and we've likely used all our budget, so we would be going into the next season far from an ideal squad, but these two alone would lift our quality so much that it would probably be worth it.

I think that we also need to take advantage of loan deals this summer because of this. Signing actual good players with massive potential is far more important than signing average players in every role that we need, in my opinion. We can loan players for the other roles for a season, even if those players aren't good enough long term, it will provide us with numbers, and who knows, we might be able to get a surprise or two in these loans. Marc Casadó for instance is a defensive midfielder for Barca B and is very highly rated. They would probably be willing to loan him out to us, even if they're rumoured to bring him in the main team next season.

I'm sure there are a lot of potential loan deals that would benefit us greatly, but I can't think of any specific players at the moment.
 
RedStag95 said:
Every season there will be a new need, with players moving on, ageing and the game changing around us. But for this season what we need most is to raise both the physical and technical levels of the team.



In defence I think right back can wait, centre back is where the most work is needed. We should sell Maguire and Lindelof. Ideally I would keep Varane so that there is a little bit of continuity but if he leaves he leaves. I’d like to see us bring in Branthwaite and Adarabioyo and if Varane leaves I’d get Todibo. Left back does need addressing but for now I’d either make a Malacia type cheap signing or get someone on loan like Cucurella or Reguillon again just so there’s someone there if Shaw goes down again. I have high hopes for Amass.



Midfield. Ideally we get 2. One in the Onana/Hjulmand ilk and one like Joao Neves/ Joao Gomes. Both signings would need to be accomplished ball winners but I think those 2 profiles would be a good mix of athleticism and ability on the ball. I think Eriksen, DvB and either Casemiro or Mctominay leave in the summer, can’t see it being both. This would free up enough space though to make the signings.



Now for the attack. Martial is 100% leaving. Sancho and Greenwood will never play for the club again and I can’t see Pellistri ever getting a chance so he will probably leave either permanently or on loan in the summer. I’d also happily sell Antony for anything more than £35m. We will need a winger and a striker this summer. For me the striker has to be someone young who isn’t going to be demanding to be the first choice, so no Toney. Id go with Sesko or Zirkzee due to their age and price being very similar. At this we could have 2 good options at striker for the next 10 years. On the wing, obviously I’d be very happy with Olise. But if Garnacho is making the right wing his own, and Amad being more comfortable on the right, does it make sense to sign a specialist right winger? I’d personally like to see us go for a player comfortable on both sides. Nico Williams would be my choice, but Marcus Edwards and Yeremy Pino would be on the list.

TLDR

So in total I would sell:

Maguire £20-25m

Lindelof £15m

Varane* free

Eriksen £5-10m

Van de beek £5-10m

Casemiro or Mctominay £30m

Martial free

Greenwood £20-30m

Sancho £30-35m

Antony** £35m

Pellistri Loan or £10-15m

So in total it would be £135-175m in sales, plus any fee we get for Antony if he left. The prices here are low balled.

And for the ins:

Branthwaite £60-70m

Adarabioyo free

Todibo £40m* if varane leaves

Onana or Hjulmand £50-55m

Gomes £35-40m or Neves £85m+

Sesko or zirkzee around £40m

Williams £50m or Edwards/Pino £35mish

I’d say a maximum total of £215 plus £40m if we sign Todibo. If Todibo was signed I don’t think we could afford the extra cost of Neves so we would go for Gomes for £40m top price. If no Todibo then maybe Neves is an option. All in all you would be looking at around £300m.

Around £150m net spend but with the players going out being replaced by younger players from smaller teams the wages would probably come down a bit.
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RedStag95 said:
Every season there will be a new need, with players moving on, ageing and the game changing around us. But for this season what we need most is to raise both the physical and technical levels of the team.



In defence I think right back can wait, centre back is where the most work is needed. We should sell Maguire and Lindelof. Ideally I would keep Varane so that there is a little bit of continuity but if he leaves he leaves. I’d like to see us bring in Branthwaite and Adarabioyo and if Varane leaves I’d get Todibo. Left back does need addressing but for now I’d either make a Malacia type cheap signing or get someone on loan like Cucurella or Reguillon again just so there’s someone there if Shaw goes down again. I have high hopes for Amass.



Midfield. Ideally we get 2. One in the Onana/Hjulmand ilk and one like Joao Neves/ Joao Gomes. Both signings would need to be accomplished ball winners but I think those 2 profiles would be a good mix of athleticism and ability on the ball. I think Eriksen, DvB and either Casemiro or Mctominay leave in the summer, can’t see it being both. This would free up enough space though to make the signings.



Now for the attack. Martial is 100% leaving. Sancho and Greenwood will never play for the club again and I can’t see Pellistri ever getting a chance so he will probably leave either permanently or on loan in the summer. I’d also happily sell Antony for anything more than £35m. We will need a winger and a striker this summer. For me the striker has to be someone young who isn’t going to be demanding to be the first choice, so no Toney. Id go with Sesko or Zirkzee due to their age and price being very similar. At this we could have 2 good options at striker for the next 10 years. On the wing, obviously I’d be very happy with Olise. But if Garnacho is making the right wing his own, and Amad being more comfortable on the right, does it make sense to sign a specialist right winger? I’d personally like to see us go for a player comfortable on both sides. Nico Williams would be my choice, but Marcus Edwards and Yeremy Pino would be on the list.

TLDR

So in total I would sell:

Maguire £20-25m

Lindelof £15m

Varane* free

Eriksen £5-10m

Van de beek £5-10m

Casemiro or Mctominay £30m

Martial free

Greenwood £20-30m

Sancho £30-35m

Antony** £35m

Pellistri Loan or £10-15m

So in total it would be £135-175m in sales, plus any fee we get for Antony if he left. The prices here are low balled.

And for the ins:

Branthwaite £60-70m

Adarabioyo free

Todibo £40m* if varane leaves

Onana or Hjulmand £50-55m

Gomes £35-40m or Neves £85m+

Sesko or zirkzee around £40m

Williams £50m or Edwards/Pino £35mish

I’d say a maximum total of £215 plus £40m if we sign Todibo. If Todibo was signed I don’t think we could afford the extra cost of Neves so we would go for Gomes for £40m top price. If no Todibo then maybe Neves is an option. All in all you would be looking at around £300m.

Around £150m net spend but with the players going out being replaced by younger players from smaller teams the wages would probably come down a bit.
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So after the first week or so of the window I think it’s time to revisit this.
Tosin and Todibo are no go’s.
It’s looking like Branthwaite could happen at £55m+ add ons. Zirkzee at £34m release clause. We’ve then been best linked to Neves for the midfield and Kerkez as a left back option.
Williams doesn’t look likely at £60m plus high wages. Pino links are gone now. With Doue and Simons being the wide players most linked.
I think I could realistically see us signing 4 players initially, being Branthwaite, Kerkez, Neves if the money is there, Fofana or Hjulmand if not, and then Zirkzee. Then I could see us signing another cb if there are cb sales, maybe Anselmino or De ligt on loan. Then there’s the fact we obviously want a wide player in Doue or Simons on loan with an option to buy.
Would Branthwaite, Kerkez, Neves, Zirkzee, De ligt on loan, and Simons on loan to buy be enough to take us up a level?
 
The reality of this window is Ineos now part own the club and they are not going to let the coach have the same leeway he had in the last two windows.

The bigger reality that all of the fans need to understand we can all write names down on a post who we should buy and sell and how much we can get for a player and then you realise it’s Man United.

All the hyperbole BS of Casemiro going to Saudi for £40-50m and Sancho for £40m and Greenwood for £40m. Now for the reality the club is getting lowballed everywhere, Lindelof and AWB combined for €15m from Turkey, Casemiro not fancying Saudi and Bayern realising just how much is salary is !

Before we sell any players, the club probably has a budget of probably £75-100m.

Reality Check;
1. Alvaro Fernandez - £5m
2. F Pellistri - £7.5m
3. C Eriksen - £5m
4. DVB - pay him off Free Transfer
5. M Greenwood £25m
6. Antony will stay at the Club no one will buy him
7. Sancho - Loan Fee at best £5m
8. AWB - won’t be sold unless £15m is offered highly unlikely
9. Hanibal Mejbri - £7.5m if lucky
10. Casemiro will still be at Club June 25
11. Lindelof - £10m inter Milan

Club might generate £65m add to £75m and the club might spend £140m this summer so free transfers are critical.

I’m not listing players because it’s pointless until we know what’s coming in from players sales.
 
Woziak said:
The reality of this window is Ineos now part own the club and they are not going to let the coach have the same leeway he had in the last two windows.

The bigger reality that all of the fans need to understand we can all write names down on a post who we should buy and sell and how much we can get for a player and then you realise it’s Man United.

All the hyperbole BS of Casemiro going to Saudi for £40-50m and Sancho for £40m and Greenwood for £40m. Now for the reality the club is getting lowballed everywhere, Lindelof and AWB combined for €15m from Turkey, Casemiro not fancying Saudi and Bayern realising just how much is salary is !

Before we sell any players, the club probably has a budget of probably £75-100m.

Reality Check;
1. Alvaro Fernandez - £5m
2. F Pellistri - £7.5m
3. C Eriksen - £5m
4. DVB - pay him off Free Transfer
5. M Greenwood £25m
6. Antony will stay at the Club no one will buy him
7. Sancho - Loan Fee at best £5m
8. AWB - won’t be sold unless £15m is offered highly unlikely
9. Hanibal Mejbri - £7.5m if lucky
10. Casemiro will still be at Club June 25
11. Lindelof - £10m inter Milan

Club might generate £65m add to £75m and the club might spend £140m this summer so free transfers are critical.

I’m not listing players because it’s pointless until we know what’s coming in from players sales.
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Thank you! Finally, someone else gets it. Every summer we get the same ridiculous posts about bringing in vast sums of money for our overpaid unwanted players. Posters seem to think mid table or foreign clubs will smash their transfer records or break their wage structures for our shite. So many fools on here.
 
The problem we have is we're still not really in a position where we can add strength to our squad as we're still fixing the holes in our squad.

Varane was arguably a starter for most of the last two seasons-he's gone so we need a replacement. We need to spend a wad of money just to get back to where we should be in terms of CB numbers. If we're lucky me may sign an upgrade on Varane.....if we're lucky.

Martial went on a free and,granted, he was a waste of space, but in theory was good to have in the squad if he was fit (and could be arsed). So again we need to spend money just to replace him and add another striker to help Hojlund.

We lost Ronaldo, Greenwood and Sancho and have not really replaced them either
 
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