Unless Ronaldo goes in January, I dont see any serious movement in the January market.
Think we need to look at what we need next season really. Fo me the first eleven is still maybe 4/5 short and the squad 3.4 short of a genuine trophy hunting side. Of coruse we are not signing eight.
I still think its the outward players needs looking at as we still have a massive squad.
At this moment, the first thing to look at is we havea huge number of players with contracts expiring. For me, I expect Shaw and Rashford to get new contracts. Dalot and Garnacho, I wonder if they sign new contracts, personally despite doing well, not bothered if DAlot stays of is tempted by possible Madrid/Barca supposed interest, obviously hope Garnacho stays as he has potental. I think Fred gets a new contract....he shouldnt though, simply hasnt been anywhere near good enough to justify the fee and contract he had in the first place.
But for sure out is DeGea, Ronaldo, Tuanzabe, Jones and Heaton and lets face it, almost for sure out is Greenwood....all six free
Who else should DEFINATELY go, Henderson, Bailly, Telles, Williams and VDB and I am sad to say Bissaka
Thrn you can add to that do we take up the option to buy Dubravka, does Maguire stay when realsitically bar injuries to Varane, he is on th ebench and are there takers for him? Personally I think he has a decent world cup which he will and there will be.
Apart from that Martial stays, cant rely on him, Rashford iSNT a striker so cf is the big priority....but we also have no GK bar Dubravka so that is even more of a pioirty.
Also Fernandesis still yet to prove he is THE player of the first 6/9months and for me its not Fernandes and Eriksen throughout a season, its one of them. So out first eleven next season:
GK: ?
RB: ?
CB: Varane
CB: Martinez
LB: Shaw
CM: Casemeiro
CM: ?
AM: Fernandes
LW: Rashford
RW: Antony
CF: ?
2nd eleven
GK: ?
RB: ?
CB: Lindelof
CB: Maguire or young cb signed if he leaves
LB: Malacia
CM: ?
CM: McTominay
AM: Eriksen
LW: SAncho/Garnacho
RW: ?
CF: Martial
So we are 7 short maybe:
I think we need to sign next summer
GK -good with feet
RB
CM - Box to box
CF
Still leaves us four short in a second eleven but personally with the likes of Iqbal, Hannibal, Savage, Pellestri, Elanga and Amad I dont feel a second cm or rw signing is needed, plenty os squad options.
But I DO think e need to sign
GK: Experienced
RB: Laird not convinved enough yet so I think if Dalot gos, we need to sign antother
So for me its four major signings and two squad signings.
Thik the criticisms of DeGea have been unfair, bar a couple of years where he ahs been poor, been the thirrd best keeper in my 40yrs supporting the club we have had, but someone good with the ball at there feet does help up be mor efluid from the back.
Never been a fan of Dalot and despit edoing wel this season still dont think he is good in the tackle or particularly good going forward either, think there is far better out there.
Still think despite a huge improvement that Eriksen/Fernandes dont both go with Casemeiro, epsecially a year older next season. Take one of the tw out and add a real quality box to box rather than one of McFred, we would hugely imporove there.
Center forward is a painful one. Despite some of his antics Ronaldo is a true legend of this club, was our best player last season....but there is decline, time is coming to an end here, but shouldnt be slated. Someone who should have been a legend of this club, and should be slated as he had absolutely everything ability wise to be a phenomenal striker is Greenwood. We really need quality signed there, no idea who tbh, talk of the SOUth American market and that could be interesting.
Im not going to name any players for now, as its early in the season and at th emoment mainly the same as before, but quality in those four areas signed next summer and the team continuing to improve individually and as a group and all behind Ten Hag still, i think we wouldnt be far off challenging for trophies