Muppet season
Are you aware at all of what's been going on in the world over the past 4 months?
What's more important for us - a top center back or Sancho?
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik and Imran hold a long overdue conversation about United's awful league form with 1 win in 7. They discuss a disappointing draw at Bournemouth, a not so disappointing draw against Liverpool and a crushing defeat at Chelsea - Is time nearly over for Erik Ten Hag?
Then in a special second half of the pod, Nik welcomes Natalie ( https://twitter.com/natalie_17) to discuss the fortunes of Manchester United Women as they booked a place in the FA Cup Final after a historic first ever win vs. Chelsea.
Are you aware at all of what's been going on in the world over the past 4 months?
Sancho is a no brainer but I would say both. We need CB and DM more than RW but in the case of Sancho... you just can not miss out a best RW of his generation. Similar to why Chelsea are trying to sign Havertz ahead of CB (and they need CB even more than us).
Sancho...... We need more depth up front. Tuanzebe deserves a chance to show he can stay fit next season.
I think it's Sancho over everything. Once we have Sancho, everything else can be built on top. A new center-back and a defensive midfielder can wait. Axel Tuanzebe should have been played more this season. Hopefully, we see some of the personnel in the defensive positions mature next season.
Sancho and it's not even a debate.
Defensively, we're the 2nd best in the league, a season in which we've conceded some wondergoals, and had some howlers. Add to that, it took Maguire and Lindelof to settle down and understand each other - their strengths and weakmesses. In terms of xGA, we're the best this season. Sure, we've made a fair share of mistakes, but the defence is good enough to mount a title challenge, if not win the title.
Defensively, we're the 2nd best in the league, a season in which we've conceded some wondergoals, and had some howlers. Add to that, it took Maguire and Lindelof to settle down and understand each other - their strengths and weakmesses. In terms of xGA, we're the best this season. Sure, we've made a fair share of mistakes, but the defence is good enough to mount a title challenge, if not win the title.
Yeah - this is an interesting one, and I think one with varied viewpoints - ie what profile of DM would suit us best.
I’m of the opinion if you have someone as good on the ball and as intelligent as Neves you unlock the Pogba / Bruno partnership even moreso than a more physical player.
although I can certainly entertain the other approach as well. As with all combinations- it really does come down to how it all clicks.
anyway trying to remain on topic... it to me is the next biggest gap after RW to fill.
Ultra Instinct Muppetry.
I like it.
Agreed with both. Hope he is fit and fulfills his potential
This.
Not to mention, a good RW could tighten us at the back (as less would be expected of AWB going forward).
Would RB Leipzig even entertain selling both their CB for less than we paid for Maguire?
Sancho. Plus another CAM or ST.
Greenwood/CAM/ighalo(or his replacement after this season) coming in as a sub instead of lingard or mata or james or pereira will be much more valuable.
Greenwood/CAM/ighalo(or his replacement after this season) coming in as a sub instead of lingard or mata or james or pereira will be much more valuable.
Personally I would be delighted if we could get either of them
Think Axel would have been played more this season had he not picked up that injury in warm up against the scousers.
If we get Sancho why do we need Grealish/VdB?
Injury | Play |
Bruno | Greenwood on the right and Sancho as #10. |
Martial | Ighalo or Greenwood |
Rashford or Sancho | Greenwood |
We go for a CB
Sancho is the much, much bigger need. He's such a big need, that I would say that I would be ok if we bought him and signed no one else.
My reasons for this are essentially twofold:
a) Our defence is not as bad as is being currently made out. We are joint second for the best defensive record in the league, and have only conceded 6 more than Liverpool who have VVD and Allisson among their ranks. That too, with DDG dropping rickets every now and then. Lindelof can and should be upgraded, but for now, he is serviceable. Maguire has been a good, if not spectacular addition and AWB has been very solid. Shaw has gotten better and better since he had his shocker at Arsenal on NYD, and we have the likes of Laird, Williams, Mengi and Axel coming through. Jones will most likely be fecked off, and Smalling too, and looking on the continent I can't seem to find many available talents who would actually be a big enough improvement. We need someone at CB who is a consistent 8 or 9 out of 10 to replace Lindelof who more often than not drops 7s. Tbh, if it wasn't for injuries, I do think Axel would have been first choice by now.
b) The opportunity to complete our attack and open up every potential attacking option going in to next season would be massive. Not to mention the balance that would be provided by having a left-footed presence on the RW. Add in Sancho's creativity and cutting edge with Rashford and Martial's, as well as Greenwood off the bench/alternative and James as a sub, we'd have a very good quintet of options in attack and we feasibly would need very little to add to it for the next 3-5 years. Add in the fact that this is likely to be the only chance to have a free run at him, we simply can't miss out on him.
My reasons for this are essentially twofold:
a) Our defence is not as bad as is being currently made out. We are joint second for the best defensive record in the league, and have only conceded 6 more than Liverpool who have VVD and Allisson among their ranks. That too, with DDG dropping rickets every now and then. Lindelof can and should be upgraded, but for now, he is serviceable. Maguire has been a good, if not spectacular addition and AWB has been very solid. Shaw has gotten better and better since he had his shocker at Arsenal on NYD, and we have the likes of Laird, Williams, Mengi and Axel coming through. Jones will most likely be fecked off, and Smalling too, and looking on the continent I can't seem to find many available talents who would actually be a big enough improvement. We need someone at CB who is a consistent 8 or 9 out of 10 to replace Lindelof who more often than not drops 7s. Tbh, if it wasn't for injuries, I do think Axel would have been first choice by now.
b) The opportunity to complete our attack and open up every potential attacking option going in to next season would be massive. Not to mention the balance that would be provided by having a left-footed presence on the RW. Add in Sancho's creativity and cutting edge with Rashford and Martial's, as well as Greenwood off the bench/alternative and James as a sub, we'd have a very good quintet of options in attack and we feasibly would need very little to add to it for the next 3-5 years. Add in the fact that this is likely to be the only chance to have a free run at him, we simply can't miss out on him.
We need a VdB more than a Grealish, but more than that, we need a possession-based midfielder to phase out Matic also.
Sancho, no question.
Yeah we definitely do still need one of them and a CB as well
If we didnt have Henderson to come back from SU then I would say keeper. But we do so it's not and I therefore say Sancho.
However if there was a CB on the market at same level Sancho is at (ability/potential) for his position then take your pick.
Is there?
However if there was a CB on the market at same level Sancho is at (ability/potential) for his position then take your pick.
Is there?
You would say Koulibaly but he is 29 and easily going to cost at least £65m in this market
I don't think Ole will play an inexperienced player in the center. This year Greenwood was put on the wing. Williams was a fullback. SAF never played inexperienced players in the middle of the part either.
He ain't moving, unless he's forced by the club IMO
Sancho first as we lack depth in the forward positions. Imagine if one of the MRG trio got injured? Igahlo is good but different
I would choose a CB over another midfielder though. It’s becoming glaringly obvious that it’s a real Achilles heel
I would choose a CB over another midfielder though. It’s becoming glaringly obvious that it’s a real Achilles heel
I would have said CB instead of Sancho if there were a CB of Sancho's age and quality available in the transfer market. There isn't an obvious young superstar CB in the transfer market, though.
You are talking about Sancho, aren't you? I thought he's right footed.
Anyway, I agree with your points and more so with the fact we are getting a free run on him.
I'd say we go for him and a midfielder of the VDB/Grealish ilk, so we have depth at the #10 position (although I'm not so sure if VDB is #8 or #10).
Once these two signings are complete start scouting and flirting with a top DM and CB so we could replace Matic and upgrade Lindelof.
Sign Sancho
Get Axel and Bailly fit
Bin Lindelöf
Job Done
Get Axel and Bailly fit
Bin Lindelöf
Job Done
Looks like a fun save. FIFA or Football Manager?
Nah, he's left-footed mate, he just plays off the right.
Sancho is an absolute must and surely it will happen at this stage. Every reputable journalist seems optimistic.
I personally really rate Grealish and he would offer some good competition for a number of positions. If Villa get relegated we should push for him, or we’ll end up running Bruno into the ground.
Next up for me is definitely a young energetic midfielder. A Matić successor of some sort.
if we get rid of jones, Smalling & Rojo we should bring in another CB.
I personally really rate Grealish and he would offer some good competition for a number of positions. If Villa get relegated we should push for him, or we’ll end up running Bruno into the ground.
Next up for me is definitely a young energetic midfielder. A Matić successor of some sort.
if we get rid of jones, Smalling & Rojo we should bring in another CB.
Exactly - people need to stop looking at this and comparing individual players (i.e. someone thinks Koulibaly is better than Lindelof and therefore we should sign Koulibaly at all costs) and think about the team as a whole. Where are we most unbalanced as a team? It is undoubtedly on the right hand side, particularly offensively. This is why it's mind boggling that we haven't even tried for RW players over the years because that chasm of creativity has been there for a long time.
Whilst I understand Maguire and Lindelof are not elite level, they are far from being a top concern. RW takes precedence over everything & then I'd argue DM because we have one specialist DM in the entire squad and his legs cannot last a whole season.
A midfield protector is more important. The defense is passable as long as someone can cover the space in front of them.
No defense will ever be impregnable, but you gotta have a guy from midfield with enough energy to help them in that crucial area.
No defense will ever be impregnable, but you gotta have a guy from midfield with enough energy to help them in that crucial area.
RW —> CDM —> CB
'with a bit of patience'
Speaking of which... what's Nico Gaitán up to these days? He used to fill this slot for about a decade of summers.
Pretty much what I came to say but we really need all three to be honest.
CB as there is plenty of quality wingers and wide forwards around, quality CB's on the other hand there is not. Last time i saw one in a united shirt was probably a charity game or 2013.
This.
Greenwood is a better player than Lindelof.