Sesko can come off the bench and learn from a world class striker.
What + who are our top summer 2026 targets?
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We really need a Right Back. Either Mazraoui or Dalot are just good enough for a versatile squad option at FB but way off the levels of a top team. Liveramento, Kayode or a young RB with potential IN and one of our existing options out.
2 starting cms (+ 1 backup)
starting rb
starting lb
starting cb
starting lw
manager
Pretty much the minimum to not get embarrassed in the CL (if we even reach it)
starting rb
starting lb
starting cb
starting lw
manager
Pretty much the minimum to not get embarrassed in the CL (if we even reach it)
Thats a fair point though I don tthink it should cost more, Paz for example I dont think would cost more. We are talking about a lot of money for a 31year old, cant think of many other deals (Casemiro to us being one, Ronaldo), where somebody over 30goes for such a fee.
I just think back to Fergie and his knowing when to selll players regardless of there standing. SOmebody responded earlier to me being 99.9% certain Fernandes has another 5years at the levels he is playing....he might be right, but its rare. I do think now is the time personally even if its 60m....and I dont think anybody actually pays that for a 31year old in Europe anyway
The very same. He was at Arsenal when he was 22-23, no? Most midfielders improve with age and experience, and Ceballos has. He is an exceptional passer and the only deep lying playmaker Real Madrid has. We need a passer in midfield, we only have Bruno but he should be a 10, not picking up the ball deep in our midfield to build up. Ceballos offers fantastic technical qualities, composure on the ball, ball retention, great passing, press resistance, creativity and very good defensive ability. The only concern are injuries, but he only has one year left on his contract and Real are apparently willing to let him go for €20m. His stats speak for themselves;
24/25:
25/26:
Solid talent, but the guy is allergic to long passes. Really sick of midfielders like that. Mainoo makes more long passes than him.. You're tripping if you think Chema Andres will be starting for Real Madrid next season.It would be typical United to buy him, so they go buy a younger and better Chema.
I’d take Marco Senesi and maybe Goretka?
Totally agree we need a right back more than a left back, Shaw, Dorgu and Amass returning can cover the left but we should be looking to get rid of Mazroui not the same player this season and we should get £20m for him to go get a Dumfries for similar money, yes he’s a year older but he’s physically a beast!
CM - Matheus Fernandes - 70m (If West Ham Stay Up, if they go down closer to 50m/60m)
LB - Lewis Hall - 60m (Newcastle don't want to sell but best LB available)
CB - Marco Senesi - FA (Barca, Chelsea & Spurs sniffing around, think it is a sensible signing)
CM - Alex Scott - 50m (2 Years left, can come and compete with Mainoo)
LW - Jesus Rodriguez - 40m (Only 20, can rotate with Cunha while he develops)
CB - Luka Vuskovic - 50m (If Spurs go down and only if Market Opportunity)
LB - Lewis Hall - 60m (Newcastle don't want to sell but best LB available)
CB - Marco Senesi - FA (Barca, Chelsea & Spurs sniffing around, think it is a sensible signing)
CM - Alex Scott - 50m (2 Years left, can come and compete with Mainoo)
LW - Jesus Rodriguez - 40m (Only 20, can rotate with Cunha while he develops)
CB - Luka Vuskovic - 50m (If Spurs go down and only if Market Opportunity)
Yeah maybe Senesi. I've heard from Bayern fans Goretzka is well past it and when a club like that wont renew it tends to be true.
That would be some haul but unfortunately I think all of those would cost significantly more than your valuations here, aside from Rodriguez who I know nothing about. But if we signed Hall I don’t think a LW is necessary. Be more interested in another CF option.
Yeah more than likely, I don't really like putting figures against players unless we know they have a release clause, as always end up being conservative.
I think we need both, I wouldn't be against either.
RB - Kayode, Palestra or Reid
LB - Lewis Hall would be great but not realistic, maybe Diouf if West Ham go down.
CM - Alex Scott or Fernandes
CM - A big signing, not sure who and then also a cheaper squad player like Shea Charles or a young player.
Winger - Diomande seems like a good prospect but the quoted fee is crazy. There must be a much cheaper alternative from one of likes of schjelderup, Fernandez-Pardo, El Mala, Toure or numerous others who would be cheaper. Have some room for manoeuvre there as we don’t need an instant starter.
6 players is realistic and a bare minimum, the squad is thin as it is. Malacia and Casemiro are leaving, have to assume Zirkzee and Ugarte go as well which is 4 of the current first team squad. You also have De Ligt, Martinez, Shaw, Mount and Mazraoui who we know will miss a lot of games injured.
Other than Vitek, who likely goes on loan again anyway, there isn’t anyone else on loan who is coming back to be part of the first team.Things can change but Lacey looks like only academy player who might get significant minutes if he isn’t on loan and JJ Gabriel will likely be used like Dowman so the squad needs a lot of work.
LB - Lewis Hall would be great but not realistic, maybe Diouf if West Ham go down.
CM - Alex Scott or Fernandes
CM - A big signing, not sure who and then also a cheaper squad player like Shea Charles or a young player.
Winger - Diomande seems like a good prospect but the quoted fee is crazy. There must be a much cheaper alternative from one of likes of schjelderup, Fernandez-Pardo, El Mala, Toure or numerous others who would be cheaper. Have some room for manoeuvre there as we don’t need an instant starter.
6 players is realistic and a bare minimum, the squad is thin as it is. Malacia and Casemiro are leaving, have to assume Zirkzee and Ugarte go as well which is 4 of the current first team squad. You also have De Ligt, Martinez, Shaw, Mount and Mazraoui who we know will miss a lot of games injured.
Other than Vitek, who likely goes on loan again anyway, there isn’t anyone else on loan who is coming back to be part of the first team.Things can change but Lacey looks like only academy player who might get significant minutes if he isn’t on loan and JJ Gabriel will likely be used like Dowman so the squad needs a lot of work.
I think there’s a chance Zirkzee stays. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think he’s great, but it may be that we decide to hang to him as an extra body. Assuming CL football and not going out of the cups at the first hurdle, he’d get some minutes.
He turns 30 in a few days. Full-backs peak relatively early. No chance.
Hjulmand looks more like a natural 6 than a lot of players we are linked with. Good age at 26. Certainly cheaper than 90m energizer bunny Tonali
Ceballos is seriously poor and there's no chance he would be successful in the Premier League.
Could you add some more hyperbole?
He isn't "seriously poor". He is an excellent player who is liked by Real Madrid fans. Have you watched him play, or are you basing this on when he was at Arsenal at 21-22 years of age?
Explain how there's "no chance" he could be successful in Premier League. He's not world class, but he's much, much better on the ball than our midfielders, and a fantastic passer. The stats don't lie.
This was from last season.
Did you see how Arda played last night?
Ceballos could never do that in his wildest dreams. How about that for hyperbole...
My one ask is that we stay away from Camavinga.
I think we could easily need at least one LB, One CB, Three Midfielders, Left Winger and that’s the bare minimum?
Sell Onana and Bayinder you need another GK, Sell Zirkzee you need another Striker?
Sell Onana and Bayinder you need another GK, Sell Zirkzee you need another Striker?
Two central midfielders, a LB, a winger and a backup #9 needed. A backup goalkeeper, too. Three central midfielders needed if Ugarte also goes.
It's far too much for a single window, so we're inevitably going to have some gaps/weaknesses in the squad next season. I'd probably prioritise it like this:
Hopefully, we manage to get at least the top 4 priorities through the door. Assuming we make good decisions on those four, we should have a top 5 (ish) squad for next season.
It's far too much for a single window, so we're inevitably going to have some gaps/weaknesses in the squad next season. I'd probably prioritise it like this:
- CM
- CM
- LB
- Backup #9
- Winger
- Backup GK
Hopefully, we manage to get at least the top 4 priorities through the door. Assuming we make good decisions on those four, we should have a top 5 (ish) squad for next season.
I guess it depends on perspective. I imagine we will not have loads to spend, so I think we're looking at a maximum of five new players of varying levels of quality.
I would say the priorities should be:
1 DM
2 Second midfielder who is dynamic
3. Left winger who can also play striker if needed
4. Left back who can also play left back if needed
5. CB probably for the left side who can play good balls out.
Secret number 6 is a new manager.
I would say the priorities should be:
1 DM
2 Second midfielder who is dynamic
3. Left winger who can also play striker if needed
4. Left back who can also play left back if needed
5. CB probably for the left side who can play good balls out.
Secret number 6 is a new manager.
I think you get a yellow for playing balls out no matter how good you play
Anthony Gordon would be solid for the left wing slot. Should have gone for him when he was at Everton.
This is a very strange example for several reasons.
1) They don't play in the same position, one is a creator/goal scorer, plays as an attacking midfielder and the other is a deep lying playmaker, dictating play, retaining possession and launching attacks with long-range passing and contributing heavily defensively.
2) Other than the excellent free-kick and a shot on open goal, his performance was average. He is an attacking midfielder who made 8 passes in Bayern's half, 21 passes in total. He created no chances, no key passes, didn't make any crosses, nothing. Repeating myself, he made 8 passes in Bayern's half and he is supposed to be their Bruno, and you're asking me if I saw how he played last night. I really don't think you did.
3) Let's assume Arda did have an excellent game overall against Bayern; what does that have to do with Ceballos? Arda is a world class talent. In fact, if he isn't already, he is borderline world class. So you're saying that if a deep lying playmaker isn't able to replicate a performance of an attacking midfielder offensively, we shouldn't be in for him? Bizarre logic.
He chucked the toys out the pram at Everton, hes likely matured but he didnt cover himself in glory at the time
4. I hope so
5. A CB who can play good but have his balls out would certainly be entertaining
For the striker position, if we could sell Zirkzee and buy Viktor Dadason for roughly the same fee it’s pretty close to a no brainer. 17 years old, 193cm height, scored against Barcelona and Dortmund already, that’s pretty rare. Or just get Zian Flemming as a cheap squad player.
Left back, enquire about Truffert, Dahl and Raum. Truffert being preferred due to PL experience.
GK, convince Robin Roefs to come and fight Lammens for the no 1 spot. I would pay 40 million to bring Roefs in and have an actual contender.
CM, enquire about a bunch of them, Wharton, Mateus Fernandes, Le Fée, Anderson, Barrios, Stiller, Garner, Guerra, Andrès, Baleba. Hard to say who’s available.
Right now I would personally probably go for Wharton or Stiller and Mateus Fernandes. The long term view would be to buy two midfielders that can form a midfield trio along with Mainoo. How would Stiller - Mainoo - Mateus do? Or PL proven Wharton - Mainoo - Mateus?
Stiller
Wharton
Mainoo
Mateus
Bruno
Would be a good group of midfielders to have?
As for LW I am not sure. Diomande seems expensive and better on the right side. How about Trincao? Left footed but very versatile. Could move to AM when Bruno leaves.
Put Jan Paul van Hecke on shortlist for next year when we are getting a CB.
Left back, enquire about Truffert, Dahl and Raum. Truffert being preferred due to PL experience.
GK, convince Robin Roefs to come and fight Lammens for the no 1 spot. I would pay 40 million to bring Roefs in and have an actual contender.
CM, enquire about a bunch of them, Wharton, Mateus Fernandes, Le Fée, Anderson, Barrios, Stiller, Garner, Guerra, Andrès, Baleba. Hard to say who’s available.
Right now I would personally probably go for Wharton or Stiller and Mateus Fernandes. The long term view would be to buy two midfielders that can form a midfield trio along with Mainoo. How would Stiller - Mainoo - Mateus do? Or PL proven Wharton - Mainoo - Mateus?
Stiller
Wharton
Mainoo
Mateus
Bruno
Would be a good group of midfielders to have?
As for LW I am not sure. Diomande seems expensive and better on the right side. How about Trincao? Left footed but very versatile. Could move to AM when Bruno leaves.
Put Jan Paul van Hecke on shortlist for next year when we are getting a CB.
United already have Obi and Janneh. Can't imagine them paying big for another promising but raw teenage CF. Even Sesko is fairly raw still.
What a ridiculous waste of 40mil that would be. And as if he would come to United to be on the sub's bench anyway. Utterly pointless and bizarre idea.
Trincao is never a LW... he's also not that fantastic. Another really bizarre idea.
We really need a left back so much. Luke Shaw did nothing to help forwards with zero overlapping , just useless now.
Malick Diouf looks good some games and some games look very average, so not sure on him.
Malick Diouf looks good some games and some games look very average, so not sure on him.
Konsa
Wharton
Bruno Guimaraes
Jarrod Bowen
Wharton
Bruno Guimaraes
Jarrod Bowen
Football right now is about dynamism, pace, strength and stamina. I would say less than half our players tick these traits. We desperately need these type of players. You look at the back line and central midfielders and I would say none of the players we got fit modern football.
Roefs has better ratings at Sunderland than Lammens at United. Why wouldn’t Lammens become a backup goalkeeper that cost us 21 million? I assume you want Onana to leave, so who’s gonna be your backup and third goalkeeper? Bayindir only? Bizarre is a weird choice of words.
Trincao has played quite well as LW. As I said he’s quite versatile. His ratings at Sporting are not that far from what Bruno did there. I don’t think bizarre is the right word here either.
Just make sure you do not take them anywhere near Manchester United!
Because currently Yoro and Ugarte are far better players right?
Why are United Fan’s such bad incredible snobs?
We need at least Two free transfers to rebuild a very light squad, please name two free transfers who can offer squad versatility and have experience in midfield and defence?
Because it’s about choices.
I didn’t watch Lammens and Ugarte in the Leeds game and think “I reckon £40m might be best spent on possibly marginally upgrading a keeper who has come in and done really well”. I thought “FFS! Sign some c**t who can actually pass a f**king football!!”
Lammens has been a revelation and one of United's best players this season. Pretty much every single outfield position on the pitch would get more benefit by having 40mil spent on it; it's a complete waste of limited funds. It doesn't matter that Lammens was already a bargain. "Bizarre" is the correct choice of word.
Vitek seems good enough for a backup GK, plus has the advantage of being homegrown.
Bruno in his last full season at Sporting - at the age of 24 - had 20 goals and 13 assists in 2942 minutes, so 1.0 goals or assists per game.
Trincao in the current season - at the age of 25/26 - has 6 goals and 11 assists in 2386 minutes, so 0.64 goals or assists per game. And when Bruno leaves he'd be a clear drop-off from him at AM as well.
Trincao at 64% of what Bruno was doing at a younger age (or, Bruno doing c. 50% more at a younger age than what Trincao is doing), is a bit more than just "not that far".
Signing Trincao to use as a LW, which is not even his best position, would indeed be "bizarre". He'd also be a clear drop from Bruno as first choice AM.
He's not a bad player, just again seems an odd choice.
Lammens has been one of the players of our season and looks like he could develop into a top notch keeper. You want to spend 40m, that we can’t spare, to ensure that we have a backup keeper? That is bizarre.
We do need a backup but we should be looking at the likes of Sam Johnstone.
Your midfield choices are missing a player that can tackle properly and win back possession