Which 2 midfielders would you prefer we sign ?

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I'd love Bruno G and if the rumors are true about Madrid wanting to sell off Camavinga I'd push very hard for that deal.

Reality is that we will probably get Baleba and then a player like Joao Gomes for depth.
 
Anderson is the only one of those mentioned I would sign without reservation. It'd be a shame if he does end up at City.

All the others mentioned have major question marks, or I'm not convinced about how much of a fit they are for United. I'd consider looking elsewhere before resorting to them.
 
2 midfielders that can run. Anderson and Bruno G would be dream midfield, but I guess Tonali and Baleba is more likely. And still decent.
I'd stay away from Wharton since we already have Mainoo, and they both can't play together.
 
I think Wharton would be a good signing if we had pace and athleticism in our midfield and defence. In that case you can carry one slow player without too much problem, with him bringing great technical attributes to make up for it.

Our current midfield and defence is already painfully slow and unathletic so I'd be very reluctant to add another slow player to the mix.

Anderson is the most obvious one in that he's a good age profile and has both physical and technical attributes.
 
Anderson, Wharton and Garner.

Along with Mainoo that gives us 4 quality options which we’ll need next year.
 
I think we're all gonna be heartbroken because we all probably want Anderson above anyone and he is almost surely gonna pick City.

If we could get Anderson plus Wharton that would be just incredible.

That being said, if we wind up with two of Anderson, Wharton, Bruno G, Tonali, and Baleba, I think we'll be in a pretty great spot as far as the midfield goes.
 
Todd said:
I think we're all gonna be heartbroken because we all probably want Anderson above anyone and he is almost surely gonna pick City.

If we could get Anderson plus Wharton that would be just incredible.

That being said, if we wind up with two of Anderson, Wharton, Bruno G, Tonali, and Baleba, I think we'll be in a pretty great spot as far as the midfield goes.
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Just out of interest, when has there been a successful consistent English player for City?

Apart from Walker, possibly Sterling and Stones, no other English player I can think of has been constantly part of their plans.

Rodwell, Grealish, Foden, Adam Johnson, James Milner, Kalvin Phillips to name a few.

Rodwell, high expectations, wasn't living up to them as much as City wanted as their desperate attempt to be dominate in football wasn't built on patience. Sent off packing to Sunderland.

Grealish, was a very exciting player for Villa, was literally their Messiah to get them to the chosen land. Went to City, lost all his flair under Pep. Only since he joined Everton he was showing signs of his old self before the injury. Wasn't an automatic started and had periods being benched.

Foden, like Grealish, hes far from his moments of magic to being a system type player.

Adam Johnson, next.

James Milner, again I felt they under appreciated him as a player, didnt feel he was taken seriously enough and was a better player for Liverpool than he ever was at City.

Kalvin Philips, he was yesterday's dinner as soon as he put pen to paper. Another needless English buy. Not sure what the point was other than stopping any of the top clubs buying him.

If I was English wanting to move to a top club, id be looking at past English players and wondering how their past maybe my future also, and think it could possibly be a bad move.
 
Would Camavinga be an option?

I hardly ever watch Madrid and I saw some (really crap) links to him for around £43m

A few years ago he seemed like the next big thing in that number 6 position.
 
It really depends on what kind of football we want to play in the future. Do we want to play dominant, possession-based football, or continue with quick transitions?

I think next year we’ll see something very similar to what we’re seeing now. Then, in two years, we might try to become more dominant, possibly playing with three midfielders, especially if Bruno leaves.

Personally, I’d like us to sign Anderson and Tonali, as I think they would need less time to adapt and will suit very well with Bruno. However, a trio of Mainoo, Wharton, and Baleba could also work very well if they all return to their best.
 
Tonali and Anderson for me, although if Newcastle hold firm on an insane fee for Tonali -- and why shouldn't they? -- then Baleba and Anderson. Anderson is the real gem of all the names on offer. He's a bit more of an 8 than a 6 for me, but if Luis Enrique told him to prepare for life at OT as a 6 I have no doubt Anderson would take balls by the hands.

The only issue with bringing in a proper 8, which Anderson is, is that it means the end for Mainoo as a United player. I understand Mainoo has critics here, but he really is far too good to be a squad man for us...that said, I can appreciate the concerns some have raised regarding his relative lack of athleticism. But sometimes a massive club like United has to make hard decisions like this.
 
As always, I say we must be ambitious. I think we need three. I would go for Anderson, Guimaraes and Camavinga. If Camavinga is unattainable then maybe Garner.
If picking two then two of Anderson, Guimaraes or Camavinga.
 
lex talionis said:
Tonali and Anderson for me, although if Newcastle hold firm on an insane fee for Tonali -- and why shouldn't they? -- then Baleba and Anderson. Anderson is the real gem of all the names on offer. He's a bit more of an 8 than a 6 for me, but if Luis Enrique told him to prepare for life at OT as a 6 I have no doubt Anderson would take balls by the hands.

The only issue with bringing in a proper 8, which Anderson is, is that it means the end for Mainoo as a United player. I understand Mainoo has critics here, but he really is far too good to be a squad man for us...that said, I can appreciate the concerns some have raised regarding his relative lack of athleticism. But sometimes a massive club like United has to make hard decisions like this.
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We'll have plenty of games next season so need 4 CMs minimum.

I've a feeling we'll buy a PL based midfielder and then one from Europe.

Casemiro might be persuaded to stay on another year.

Ugarte is obviously for sale.
 
Anderson and Wharton.

I'm not sure the links to the Newcastle midfield are realistic or good value for money.

Baleba is a hard 'no'.
 
Anderson is the #1 choice. Hopefully he won't end up at city.

I think we should get 3 midfielders.
I would have them in a tier, where I would argue getting one from each tier would be great:

Tier 1: Anderson & Caicedo
Tier 2: Wharton, Baleba & Tonali
Tier 3: Gomes & Fernandes

Optimal window would give us 2 main midfielders, and 1 who can rotate alongside Mainoo to keep things fresh.

Would be over the moon with Anderson+Caicedo and promote someone from within as well, but i have doubts about anyone in tier 1 really being available, based on rumours that Anderson has agreed with City.
 
next_number_seven said:
We'll have plenty of games next season so need 4 CMs minimum.

I've a feeling we'll buy a PL based midfielder and then one from Europe.

Casemiro might be persuaded to stay on another year.

Ugarte is obviously for sale.
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I hear you. So let's begin the analysis.

Bruno is going nowhere, so at least I believe. Mount could be sold, but I doubt we'll find a buyer. Then we have Mainoo, whose contribution to the club here is criminally underrated but as Plato once put it, it is what it is. Casemiro probably leaves, but there is a chance he could be talked into staying if in fact we qualify for the CL, which I think we will. And then there is the grim Ugarte, who we could let go on a free transfer to free up space.

Even if we keep Casemiro and Ugarte, which is unlikely, we'll still need a 6. A monster fee will be required for that acquisition. Even if we thought about bringing in Garner, who's quite decent, Everton would demand 60m for him.

What I'm trying to get across is that although we would very much like to bring in two top CMs, doing just that will handcuff our ability to address other holes in the squad. Some say both fullback positions need to be upgraded and others say that we could and should upgrade both wing positions or at least deepen our options out wide. And we still haven't even talked about a backup striker as Zirkzee aint the man for the job.

If we agree that we should upgrade both fullback positions, upgrade at least the LW and bring in a backup striker, it's hard to see how we could afford two world class central midfielders, let alone two world class plus one project central midfielder. Maybe we can, but it seems unlikely.
 
Bruno g… won’t cost as much as the others. Anderson would be superb but he’s probably going to city. Baleba will probably join us.
 
van Nistelrooy said:
Anderson and Wharton.

I'm not sure the links to the Newcastle midfield are realistic or good value for money.

Baleba is a hard 'no'.
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I’d take Bruno g… think he’ll massively improve our midfield.
 
Is there seriously no other midfielders in other leagues that can do the job we need? Besides Camavinga, he's injury prone and I'd stay far away from him.
 
I just finished listening to today's TOTD and I have to say Carl does sometimes chat shite. (Now, worth remembering that I was famously VERY wrong about the previous manager(s) so I may be a complete moron) Wharton and Mainoo wouldn't work together because they would be vulnerable at set pieces/in the air. Okay, maybe.

Here are my thoughts on that in no particular order. Set your team up to insulate them. Do the top Continental sides seem too worried about Arsenal long ball/corner bully ball? I doubt it. There's a reason the physical Premier League teams with incredible athleticism are being played off the park by the top Continental teams. The current trend in the Premier League is just that, a trend. I would rather us set the next trend. Technically gifted players looking to play passes early into space. The reason Bournemouth are SO dangerous, and Rayan terrified Shaw, is because their midfield duo (I'm dying to get Alex Scott and I think him and Wharton could be a bumper summer though Anderson will be my top choice until he signs somewhere else) are technical, quick thinkers with range of pass on them both. They either hit a ball into space early, play a one two or sort their feet out, then play the ball into channels, or recycle the ball (rarely) and then look to play in the next guy making a run. Mainoo and Wharton could do that. I think they would dominate, to be honest. Quick feet, quick minds. One can carry the ball, the other can spray it around.

I would be over the moon if we could somehow swing a summer of moving on Ugarte as well as Case and bringing in Wharton, Scott, and Stiller. We'd absolutely play teams off the park with any of those two getting their heads up early and playing balls so that some combination of Bruno, Mbeumo, Cunha, Amad, Sesko, Dorgu, and Mount have acres of time and space to run into.

Easiest solution to the worry about physicality with that midfield, in my opinion, would be a left back who is good in the air as well as having a good range of pass.
 
Fulham’s wilson is on a free this summer, not a bad squad option
 
We need 3 midfielders, really - 2 is an absolute minimum. Ugarte should be sold. 2 starters, one rotational option and Mainoo(that's 4 CM/DMs) + 2 AMs in Bruno and Mount.

It looks like Anderson is not happening. Bruno G doesn't fit the age profile Ineos go for(and I mostly agree with that). I'm not that impressed by Tonali(price is going to be huge).

I'd go with Wharton and Baleba(his price is going to be more reasonable this time, and there's probably still a player in there). Third one could be someone outside of PL like Ederson(Atalanta), M Kone(Roma), Ouedraogo(Leipzig), Bouaddi(Lille), Nmecha(Dortmund) or someone from relegation threatened clubs in the PL like Gray, Bergvall, M Fernandes, Joao Gomes...
 
Todd said:
I think we're all gonna be heartbroken because we all probably want Anderson above anyone and he is almost surely gonna pick City.

If we could get Anderson plus Wharton that would be just incredible.

That being said, if we wind up with two of Anderson, Wharton, Bruno G, Tonali, and Baleba, I think we'll be in a pretty great spot as far as the midfield goes.
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Yeah if we could somehow manage to get two of them I would be over the moon, then just a matter of finding someone from one of the relegated sides who could provide us with some depth too.
 
Bruno G - PL ready, experience, leader. The best CM in terms of overall package that's attainable.

Garner - More of a 6 than Anderson and would be a perfect foil for Bruno G. Cheaper than Anderson as well with just as much pedigree in defense as going forward.
 
Tonali and Bruno G.
Both are better than any single other midfielder from our shortlist.
 
AaronRedDevil said:
Is there seriously no other midfielders in other leagues that can do the job we need? Besides Camavinga, he's injury prone and I'd stay far away from him.
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It's sadly very slim pickings really, unless you can convince Madrid to part with others eg Tchouameni, Valverde, Chema Andres, or maybe see if Inter will sell Sucic or Stankovic.

Wouter Burger at Hoffenheim is I think worth serious consideration, especially with how well Stach has made the switch from there to the PL.
Felix Nmecha is a pretty solid but unspectacular all-rounder. Pretty similar in ability and style overall to Tonali I think; though a bit more dribble-first, as opposed to Tonali being a tad more pass-oriented, but good in the air, while Tonali is poor there.
Pablo Barrios at Atletico has looked promising, but his injuries are also a concern.
Kees Smit is another very promising player on the market, but with his age and profile is the kind of 3rd midfielder option who'd probably rotate with Mainoo or back-up Bruno.
Locatelli looks ideal stylistically imo, but with his age and likely fee it's probably a non-starter for Ineos, similar to Bruno G.

Beyond those I'm still to really be enamoured with the possibly available names mentioned.
 
croadyman said:
Like many have said there is absolutely no chance whatsoever they sell both this summer
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Title is who i prefer. And that is my answer.

Also, what Newcastle will want to do and what players will want to do are two different things. If they both push for transfer and good offers come then......who knows? Same like Brentford sold both of their stars last summer and same like Leverkusen sold half of title winning team.
 
Tallis said:
I feel like the Adam Wharton paired with Baleba probably ticks most boxes and has the highest ceiling. Wharton will hold position and control / distribute while Baleba will hunt for the ball and carry it forward as required.
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This is what I wrote in a Wharton thread couple of days ago. Wharton + Baleba combo ticks a lot of boxes, can do a little bit of everything basically. Potentially excellent double pivot. Both are press resistant. Wharton offers progressive passing and playmaking from deep while Baleba brings athleticism(speed, strength), ball hunting/recovery and ball carrying.

And both are realistically obtainable for United.
 
lex talionis said:
I hear you. So let's begin the analysis.

Bruno is going nowhere, so at least I believe. Mount could be sold, but I doubt we'll find a buyer. Then we have Mainoo, whose contribution to the club here is criminally underrated but as Plato once put it, it is what it is. Casemiro probably leaves, but there is a chance he could be talked into staying if in fact we qualify for the CL, which I think we will. And then there is the grim Ugarte, who we could let go on a free transfer to free up space.

Even if we keep Casemiro and Ugarte, which is unlikely, we'll still need a 6. A monster fee will be required for that acquisition. Even if we thought about bringing in Garner, who's quite decent, Everton would demand 60m for him.

What I'm trying to get across is that although we would very much like to bring in two top CMs, doing just that will handcuff our ability to address other holes in the squad. Some say both fullback positions need to be upgraded and others say that we could and should upgrade both wing positions or at least deepen our options out wide. And we still haven't even talked about a backup striker as Zirkzee aint the man for the job.

If we agree that we should upgrade both fullback positions, upgrade at least the LW and bring in a backup striker, it's hard to see how we could afford two world class central midfielders, let alone two world class plus one project central midfielder. Maybe we can, but it seems unlikely.
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Our budget could be 250m easily, maybe 300m.

We need 2 CM minimum. Mount is impossible to sell. We might be able to loan him.

Our full backs are ok but could be upgraded.
 
Onana from villa and Wharton from palace.
Onana gives the physical profile we are missing and could partner easily with Mainoo also.
Wharton brings positional awareness and the passing range we are lacking.
Casemiro, Ugarte, Collyer, Gore to make way.
Thoughts?
 
Mateus Fernandez should have been signed when he left Southampton, brilliant player. If Anderson is out of our reach, then we have to try for Wharton. James Garner is a decent option as a pure 6 with very good passing skills. Tonali and Bruno aren't happening without stupid money that we won't be willing to spend. Joao Gomes is a very interesting option too. CL money should allow us to spend on 3 of the 4 above. If Cas and Ugarte leave, then possibly all 4.
 
Ideally, we would sign three midfielders, and keep Casemiro around for a couple of years (he has shown the ability to contribute if employed in the right manner and not overburdened with an excessive workload). A Day 1 starter who is relatively complete, with regard to passing range, press-resistance, industry and so forth — and two top tier talents who offer a bit of versatility. A total of only two midfielders would be suboptimal for a campaign with 50+ matches. If the club can sign Cunha, Šeško, Mbeumo, Dorgu, Lammens in one window, it can sign three midfielders and a couple of talents for other departments.

Don't particularly care for “physical profile” and destructive nous if the player is not good enough to start for a top team from an on-the-ball standpoint. We need to figure out why Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Barcelona have the best and most dominant midfields in club football — and aim for similar. Sign players who are proper passers or could become proper passers, good interpreters of space, deft on the half-turn, capable of carrying the ball in a collective sense, and also hard-working.

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That's a decent platform. To reach a truly elite level, over the following years, we would need to unearth our version of Pedri and Vitinha — they are incredibly evasive, fantastic ball-carriers and capable of controlling the game with high-volume passing. Or hope that Maza develops into that caliber of player (he's evasive and a good ball-carrier but not a quintissential high-volume passer yet.)

P.S., Try to sign Mateus Fernandes if Anderson is out of reach. He's not as developed but possesses a lot of the right ingredients. Bruno Guimarães could also be an option for the right price.
 
We actually need 3 midfielders with Casemiro going and Ugarte hopefully going. The latter is of no use anyway, can't be trusted.

Anderson, Garner and one cheaper option, maybe Joao Gomes or someone from the french league. If Anderson is going to City, then Bruno G.

Throw in Kane and we'll win the league.
 
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