What do we still need? Aka The never ending story

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.

I see a lot of potential in Heaven, but it's his ball carrying rather than distribution that has impressed me the most so far. I'm hoping to see more of him next season.

I agree wholeheartedly with your second paragraph, the only midfielder we have with any real legs is Ugarte, while he's pretty good in tight spaces he can be overwhelmed without support, while Casemiro has the ability but doesn't have the legs to beat the press.
 
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.
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.
 
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.
 
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.
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.
Amorim also mentioning we need more offensive option(s) in the wingback role, he feels it will elevate our play. So I think yeah we'll see us getting someone for the RAM role meaning Amad could play as the offensive wingback.
 
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.

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.
 
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.
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?
 
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.
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.
 
We are far too bad right now at everything for the goalkeeper to be a high priority.
 
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?
 
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.
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.
 
We are far too bad right now at everything for the goalkeeper to be a high priority.
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.
 
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?
I think he can but Branthwaite would be ideal.
 
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.
Who needs to be added then to put together what you would call a Champions League level midfield?
 
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.

So true, the lure of playing for United is being greatly exaggerated if anyone thinks players are going to run their contracts down just so they can be battling it out to get into the top half of the league with United.

Until United win a few premier league titles and start challenging for the CL regularly, the Real Madrid transfer tactic will have to wait.
 
Who needs to be added then to put together what you would call a Champions League level midfield?
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.
 
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.
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.
 
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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.
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.

What do you like so much about Larsson. He looks good but I think Wharton looks a much better passer between the lines and is amazing at receiving, turning and releasing the ball quickly.

People will probably disagree but I'd be much happier spending huge money on those players than any of the striking options out there currently, some of whom I like, but most of whom have fairly big question marks over.
 
I think he can but Branthwaite would be ideal.
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.
 
What sort of profile is Angelo Stiller?
Deep 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.
 
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What sort of profile is Angelo Stiller?
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.
 
I expect a big squad rebuild at Madrid, they are basically in our situation of changing a 4atb system to a 3atb one. Maybe they could be tempted to sell someone like Camavinga to fund their transfer targets (Saliba, Theo H., Zubimendi)?
 
Wharton. Honestly think that’s it.

Him, Ugarte and Bruno (dropping deep from AMC) would make a great midfield 3
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.
 
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.
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.
 
Not only do we need a striker we are also very weak in CM and at WB.

Dorgu and Dalot are not top 5 players, and Shaw, Mazraoui and Amad all have shortcomings as WBs.

If we get Cunha and move Bruno to CM then we are in decent shape but we would have too many players fighting for 2 no 10 spots: Cunha, Amad, Garnacho, Zirkzee, Mount, and Mainoo. Some must be sold but I would hate to see Mainoo or Garnacho leave.
 
Deep 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.
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 see
 
Baleba - 80 The days of them getting 100 mill for midfielders is done
Cuenha - 60
Gykores/Osimhen - 60
Ait-Nouri - 35 - last year of his contract
Total 235m

This is a good first team with a good back up team. The good thing is that Amorim can change it up as he sees fit. Amad and Ait-Nouri are not the best defenders, so if needed, play Dalot and Amad 10 and Bruno CM. Dorgu is more defensive and can play on either side. Cunha can play striker and bring Garnacho in for pace etc. Casemiro/Ugarte can come in to hold the midfield. There are loads of variations. I put Mainoo in first team more as a dream that he can learn to play the role and live up to his potential. Im not sure he is ready yet but he should look at all those slower midfielders - Busquets, Fabregas, Xavi. Loads of them weren't quick or even that physical. Even Case has learned to condense the space. Mainoo just cant afford to be this midfielder running back and covering large areas. Play it simple and dictate play.

---------------------Onana
----------Yoro----De Ligt---Martinez
Amad---Mainoo----Baleba-----Ait-Nouri
--------------Bruno---------Cunha--------------
--------------Gykores/Osimhen

---------------------Bayindir
----Mazroui----Maguire--Heaven/Shaw
Dalot---Ugarte----Casemiro-----Dorgu
-------Garnacho---------Zirkzee--------------
--------------------Hojlund

If I unleash full Muppet I would sell Bruno for 120/130 and buy
Frimpong - 35
Huijsen - 50
Garcia - 25
And for the cherry on the cake Id put the rest of the cash 20 mill and add it to the Cunha money and bid for Rodrygo - 85 mill ish

---------------------Garcia
----------Yoro----De Ligt---Huijsen
Frimpong---Mainoo----Baleba-----Ait-Nouri
--------------Amad---------Rodrygo--------------
--------------Gykores/Osimhen
 
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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.

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.
 
There's so much to sort out this summer it's unreal.
1. We need a striker as a priority.
2. We need a right wing back to fit Amorims system.
3. We need to shift Rashford, Antony, Sancho.
4. We need a homegrown sale to balance the books. Potentially Garnacho.
5. Do we keep Casemiro or sell.
6. Do we need squad cover for end of contract Lindelof and Erikson.

Makes for an interesting 8 weeks.
 
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.
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.
 
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
 
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


We are selling greenwood again? And Højlund won't get 50m
 
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 - 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.
 
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.

If they don't one midfielder they're footballing idiots. They need two imo. Their midfield play in the league has been has bad as their forward play. None of their current midfielders are good enough to play in a 2 in the league

Casemiro - too old to play consistenly
Maino - not suited for a two. Defensively poor and doesn't have the range
Ugarte - poor in possession and can't carry the ball foward
Eriskon - completely washed
Mount - he's a 10 or CAM
Bruno - has been their best midfielder. But this isn't his position. He's done but instinctively it he isn't a deep lying midfielder. You just watch how Vitinha plays for PSG. He plays in between the lines, moves around and makes himself available for a pass and can pivot to play in tight spaces. Bruno isn't great at that

If they go to next season with Bruno Ugarte midfield and try to play possession football they will fail.

My top 4 must have targets would be
1. Striker
2. Midfielder
3. A no 10 to replace Garnacho
4. goal keeper

Then after that I worry about another CB, WB and 2nd midfielder

The midfield is the most important position to control games. You have to treat with priority especially after a season where you were getting constantly over run in midfield.