I think you're underrating how good Heaven actually is on the ball, but yes I do agree Martinez is one of the best in the world in possession at CB so no one will really be able to replace him seamlessly in that sense.
Ideally we get another non Ugarte CM that helps progression/distribution as well. Apart from our obvious attacking shortcomings, the other clear weakness of the side is an inability/unwillingness to both make those threaded/progressive passes through the lines from deeper as well as having players that can quickly take the ball on the turn and drive through the pitch. That's how you beat these modern pressing structures and it's why having athletic/technical carriers all over the pitch is what Amorim eventually wants.
A new GK is a must, as is a new playmaking midfielder in addition to the planned reinforcements in attack. Funds permitting we also could do with a quick, technical and dominating CCB in the VVD mould and an attacking RWB.We're desperate for better players in forward positions, playing Hojlund and Garnacho leaves us completely toothless. Fortunately there's a lot of noise around Cunha and/or Mbuemo so it seems the club is moving to strengthen there.
We're crying out for a more well rounded central midfielder, at the moment we're stuck with Casemiro and Ugarte who are both quite limited, the former's legs are gone too, having a physically capable strong passer next to Ugarte would improve us dramatically.
We've got Martinez to come back, he'll revolutionise our ability to play out from the back as he always does when fit. We're a little light still on wingbacks, another option with pace and power to rotate with Dorgu, Dalot, and Shaw (if he stays fit at all) would go a long way.
Bringing in a more reliable goalkeeper wouldn't hurt either, but I suspect that has to drop down the priority list a bit.
Amad can already do what he was talking about. Although I see Sky is saying we want one of Semenyo and Mbuemo in addition to Delap and Cunha.Just seen the embargoed interview where Amorim talks about wanting something different to Garnacho's profile for that RAM position. He stated he wants left footed players, players that can play more inside than outside.
I think Garnacho is getting sold.
Between Cunha, Bruno, Garnacho, Zirkzee, Amad and Mount, it's clear we will sell at least one right footer, and bring in at least one left footed RAM.
It'll be between Mbeumo, Mastantuono and Tyler Dibling.
Seeing Yoro's success, it'll be great if we can bring in one elite young talented player per season. This will be our route to building a galactico team over the next few years.
this year maybe talent is Mastantuono, though have to admit, I don't know much about him.
A new GK is a must, as is a new playmaking midfielder in addition to the planned reinforcements in attack. Funds permitting we also could do with a quick, technical and dominating CCB in the VVD mould and an attacking RWB.
On the LWB I think we could invest more time in Amass and having Shaw alternating between LCB and LWB which would give us 3 good options, if Amass grows into the role.
You forget the money that we would generate on selling players, just because the full price of players might be £250-300m, the club would probably pay no more than £100m this summer and all transfers being on yearly instalments, the weird thing is you could sign most of those players and even then only 1 or 2 might be able to live up to his previous reputation, sometimes it not how much you spend but the type of player you bring in and what type of mentality those players have?Please adjust your expectations on scenario A, even with Europa League money we aren't spending that. We aren't playing Football Manager like Chelsea and City.
The practical limitations you mention are annoying yet realistic. I think there could be a silver lining in being broke given how we always miss with the big money signings so there is that. The frustrating thing is that our youth are a few years away from being the rescue we want.A replacement keeper would be nice, but I highly doubt it's within budget for this summer. As is a complete defender in the VVD mould, they're generally really expensive.
It's also way too premature to be using Amass regularly, he's got some potential but he's physically not really close to ready. Shaw's fitness troubles are concerning too.
A couple of quality attacking reinforcements, and an athletic progressive passer in midfield would be a great window given our financial limitations. I'm not sure we can expect much else, as nice as it would be to sort all our problem areas out in one window.
Needless to say you can't take the Madrid approach when you're two positions above the relegation zone and haven't yet scraped 40 points this far into the season. Aside from these Gen Z players not ever remembering us being good, what would be in it for a player to hold off on signing for better teams than us right now. Wharton isn't going to have any shortage of admirers.United should adopt a Madrid esque approach to Adam Wharton and a number of future targets. Speak with their agents and make them aware United want to sign the player but due to current financial limitations it's unlikely to happen this summer so make sure the player does not sign a new contract and if he does that it contains a release clause. I'd like to think United have a list of targets for this window along with a number of players in the next year or two since it's fairly obvious we need to make signings basically everywhere.
Agreed. Know this isn't a popular opinion but although Onana drops clangers too frequently, he's a decent keeper for the most part and its only because of our glaring inadequacies in attack that his mistakes have been so costly. He should definitely be replaced but this summer I see improvements in midfield and striker being far more important. Casemiro's having an Indian summer and some people love Ugarte but neither offers enough for me and as bad as our forwards have been I think getting a champions league level midfield is the fastest way for us to get good again.We are far too bad right now at everything for the goalkeeper to be a high priority.
I think he can but Branthwaite would be ideal.Who are some good prospects for that central centre back position? Yoro on the right and Heaven on the left will hopefully be solid, so who is out there that can compliment them? Can De ligt do it?
Who needs to be added then to put together what you would call a Champions League level midfield?Agreed. Know this isn't a popular opinion but although Onana drops clangers too frequently, he's a decent keeper for the most part and its only because of our glaring inadequacies in attack that his mistakes have been so costly. He should definitely be replaced but this summer I see improvements in midfield and striker being far more important. Casemiro's having an Indian summer and some people love Ugarte but neither offers enough for me and as bad as our forwards have been I think getting a champions league level midfield is the fastest way for us to get good again.
Needless to say you can't take the Madrid approach when you're two positions above the relegation zone and haven't yet scraped 40 points this far into the season.
My ideal midfield is Wharton and Baleba but that would clearly be very expensive. Maybe a punt on Amadou Onana instead of Baleba given Villa need cash would also work. I think that would be an excellent duo along with Mainoo and Ugarte depending on opponents.Who needs to be added then to put together what you would call a Champions League level midfield?
FTFY.I think he can but Branthwaite would’ve been ideal.
any combo of the three you mentioned would cost 120m+My ideal midfield is Wharton and Baleba but that would clearly be very expensive. Maybe a punt on Amadou Onana instead of Baleba given Villa need cash would also work. I think that would be an excellent duo along with Mainoo and Ugarte depending on opponents.
What sort of profile is Angelo Stiller?any combo of the three you mentioned would cost 120m+
My suggestion would be: Hugo Larsson (50m, Frankfurt. creative midfield allrounder), Djaoui Cisse (20m, Rennes. Carlos Baleba type of destroyer). Alternative to Cisse: Amadou Kone of Reims.
Probably north of the 120mn but I think those two players would fix us for a decade - great passing, heading and carrying in the combo and depending on opposition you could go more or less defensive with other midfield pieces like Bruno (if he's not sold to fund it), Mainoo and Ugarte. I recommended Djaoui Cisse in the hidden gems thread so am familiar with him but I would still prefer the actual Carlos Baleba to the next Carlos Baleba.any combo of the three you mentioned would cost 120m+
My suggestion would be: Hugo Larsson (50m, Frankfurt. creative midfield allrounder), Djaoui Cisse (20m, Rennes. Carlos Baleba type of destroyer). Alternative to Cisse: Amadou Kone of Reims.
He's so over-priced for what he is. You should be getting the most complete defender in the world for what Everton were looking for Branthwaite. He's a good defender but his passing is just ok and he does get caught out a lot. No point in spending that much money when the position is one of the few in world football that is absolutely stacked with good players.I think he can but Branthwaite would be ideal.
Deep lying playmaker. He's a Possession conductor basically. Think toni Kroos.What sort of profile is Angelo Stiller?
Wharton. Honestly think that’s it.Who needs to be added then to put together what you would call a Champions League level midfield?
Good passer and overall fantastic midfielder, but Stuttgart just said he'd cost €60m. A bit sceptical with him whether he could cope with the pace here. Always looked a bit slowish. He seems like a player who'll end up at Bayern anyway, like Wirtz and Tah.What sort of profile is Angelo Stiller?
This Wharton hype, can't say I'm completely sold. Sure he passes between the lines really well, which is the main reason everyone is clamouring over him, but what about the other aspects of the role?Wharton. Honestly think that’s it.
Him, Ugarte and Bruno (dropping deep from AMC) would make a great midfield 3
Wharton is another overrated English player. Great talent for sure, but there are players out there with similar potential, like Hugo Larsson, Andrey Santos, Samuele Ricci, etc.This Wharton hype, can't say I'm completely sold. Sure he passes between the lines really well, which is the main reason everyone is clamouring over him, but what about the other aspects of the role?
He'll not great at carrying the ball.
Not convinced he can drop deep and pick up the ball from the defense.
He's an okay athlete not amazing.
His tackle success rate is really low, worse than Ugarte (a super high volume tackler).
He is poor in the air.
Also, he rarely plays 90 mins.
Not saying he won't be a great player eventually, however, assuming he'll come in and fix us now for 80m is a big gamble.
Yeah would like us to be all over Fernandes from Southampton, unsure whether Utd see Mastantuono in the same way as Yoro but guess we will seeDeep lying playmaker. He's a Possession conductor basically. Think toni Kroos.
Would be great for us considering our issues but I have some question marks on his athleticism (much like Kroos he's not very athletic and I wonder how well that translates to PL considering we arent the most athletic as a team already).
My ideal would be Baleba honestly but I also like wharton. Both expensive though.
Other options who I think improve us and would not cost a bomb include matheus fernandes at Southampton, Ederson at Atalanta, hayden hackney (slight risk coming from championship but looks great otherwise).
Andrey santos is great but Chelsea owners would not sell probably.
Personally I would also sign Franco mastantuono since he's a can't miss talent in the mold of yoro.
The practical limitations you mention are annoying yet realistic. I think there could be a silver lining in being broke given how we always miss with the big money signings so there is that. The frustrating thing is that our youth are a few years away from being the rescue we want.
If we do get a striker, an AM and a midfielder we should improve. However for it to be enough we need to replace Onana, I fear this is non negotiable. I do agree that other reinforcements would be nice to have but it won't be disastrous if we don't get them in.
Yeah it's obvious that if we improve our chance creation, goal scoring and overall security in possession teams will start to worry more about what we can do to them. It will exciting to see what sort of the emerges from the summer and whether sacrificing this season was worth it.I think we'll see the level of the rest of the team rise if we get players in who can create and take chances. Part of the reason the team is so panicky, and opposition teams are so confident against us, is because we're so bad at putting our chances away, or turning dangerous situations into goals. If we can start doing that more reliably, teams will be more hesitant about throwing players into the press against us, and our players won't be so worried that a single mistake is likely to cost us the game because we can't score.
Would add GK too, can't trust OnanaA 10, a striker, a CM, and a RWB I’d go for this summer.
We need:
ST - Gyökeres £70m
CM - Wharton - £60m
CAM - Cunha £60m
CAM - Dibling - £40m
GK - Ramsdale - £20m
Total £250m
Outgoings:
Hojlund - £50m
Mainoo - £50m
Rashford - 40m
Sancho - £30m
Antony - £30m
Greenwood - £30m
Onana - £30m
Lindelof - Free
Eriksen - Free
Evans - Free
Total £260m
I foresee a summer where our budget is spent on forwards and possibly a defender and we’re left with the same sh*t midfield that leaves us with no control of games positively- a now decade long problem.
There’s not one of them I’d trust to play in the 2 and consistently affect games positively - Casemiro’s legs have gone, despite his slight upturn in form, Ugarte is poor in the ball and lacks positional discipline, Mainoo has been crap this season and doesn’t have the skill set to play either the deeper lying or more advanced positions as he’s too slow and Collyer is always injured. Bad times.
