Frankly I still think that was a reasonable attitude at the time. Firstly, we have yet to see Mazraoui play RWB, so it may not be entirely outlandish to wonder if he has the offensive dynamism that Amorim seems to be looking for in that position. I did not seriously consider the possibility that he might work as a CB, for the simple reason that as far as I knew he had never played that position. Happily, I was wrong. If you thought otherwise at the time and had reason for doing so I congratulate you on your knowledge and foresight.
Wing-back prospects
- Thread starter The White Pele
- Start date
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Nik (@Rood), Jamie (@Vault Dweller) and Ed (@That'sHernandez) give their end of season awards out! They celebrate the best players, goals and moments of the season (there were some, honestly) and also give out awards for the worst and most disappointing players/moments of the season.
They then discuss all the latest transfer rumours and get into the potential ins and outs this summer at Old Trafford.
Frankly I still think that was a reasonable attitude at the time. Firstly, we have yet to see Mazraoui play RWB, so it may not be entirely outlandish to wonder if he has the offensive dynamism that Amorim seems to be looking for in that position. I did not seriously consider the possibility that he might work as a CB, for the simple reason that as far as I knew he had never played that position. Happily, I was wrong. If you thought otherwise at the time and had reason for doing so I congratulate you on your knowledge and foresight.
I haven’t watched him at all basically apart from clips but Gittens looks like he could be an option for the left side. He’s got pace, is able to go inside and shoot or go outside and cross with his left which seems decent aswell.
Statisticslly he completes a good amount of tackles which I assume would suggest he could contribute enough defensively.
Dortmund are a pain to deal with though and besides the amount of clubs he’s been linked to I also believe that I’ve read that he doesn’t want to leave just yet.
Statisticslly he completes a good amount of tackles which I assume would suggest he could contribute enough defensively.
Dortmund are a pain to deal with though and besides the amount of clubs he’s been linked to I also believe that I’ve read that he doesn’t want to leave just yet.
I haven't seen much of Wolves this season, but Ait Nouri looked like he was developing into a really interesting player. Kerkez looks more of a FB than a WB when I've seen him.
I don't really have any standouts coming to mind for RWB at this moment in time. I think Amad needs to be closer to goal, and Mazraoui is more suited to a RB / RCB. Not sure he has enough going forward for WB. Maybe we could tempt Porro from Spurs?
I don't really have any standouts coming to mind for RWB at this moment in time. I think Amad needs to be closer to goal, and Mazraoui is more suited to a RB / RCB. Not sure he has enough going forward for WB. Maybe we could tempt Porro from Spurs?
Kerkez normally plays well against the big teams and is average against the rest, but I'd still prefer Dango Ouattara who kept him out of the team and played half his matches at leftback (taking Kerkez place) last season if its a wingback role. He has 1 goal and 1 assist in 415 mins this season playing as a winger. Fast, powerful, and goes past players. When he played leftback he won the ball a lot too and he's played on both wings so he can play either side.
A game from last season at leftback
Scored the winner and set up the equalizer today against Ipswich after coming off the bench to play left wing for 27 mins
I’m not too sure the hype of Kerkez. I think he’s more a full back than wingback. Everytime I watched him, I’m not too sure he’s a kind of wingback who can beat his man. I think we better to have wingback who can beat man. Ait Nouri is good shout. He has played in the wingback role, has the ability to beat his man, high technical, has end product, and PL proven for years.
Surely we need a left wing back?
We can make do at RWB with Dalot, Maz and Amad as options.
On the left though.. Dorgu needs to be back up. Send Amass out on loan.
We need a wing back with genuine attacking quality that more resembles a skilled winger than a bog standard full back.
We can make do at RWB with Dalot, Maz and Amad as options.
On the left though.. Dorgu needs to be back up. Send Amass out on loan.
We need a wing back with genuine attacking quality that more resembles a skilled winger than a bog standard full back.
I like Dorgu’s attributes but delivery was poor today, Shaw’s was so much better.
Possibly an area for concern but at least we’ve some bodies there..
I don't think we're ever going anywhere in this formation with such little attacking threat from wing back.
Disagree....think firstly we sold the wrong right back last summer who was a far better back up option or starter even than Dalot who had a decent season last year....his first....he is a backup
Mazaroui is a really good rcb and a really average rb....again back up.
Amad has been decent when played there but wastes some of his attributes shown as a 10,,,again like Maz....an emergency
The other optionis Mantato
We have no starter
At LB there is of course Shaw if fit, Dorgu signed to play there who I rate, its early days here for him.....Amass, Leon thats two starters and two back ups....yes you can justifiably say Shaw isnt even an option. Dorgu is even offform so far probably our best option for either side....but at least LBthe other options are LBs not players thatbar DAlot who isnt good enough.....players that have had good seasons...in other positions.
Im gutted we missed out on Quenda....but a RB signing and improvments in our attacking options this summer could be trans formative.
We need to look at every postion almost starter wise with this side but we already have in January at LB....for me its way way down priority wise...not that I am saying its solved...tho I think Dorgu will improve and he DOES add an attacking threat....attacking threat of DAlot is a total myth
It’s possible that Dorgu could still develop into a quality wing-back, but if we’re being honest, he should never have come in as the first-choice option.
Now, even if we assume the club were to sign another left wing-back — which, realistically, looks unlikely, then a combination of Dorgu and a new signing would be sufficient. Some might argue that players like Amass or Diego Leon could have been used as backup instead.
On Dorgu specifically, it’s worth pointing out that this was a player a lot of people were excited about. Several United analysts I follow on YouTube, such as Statman Dave, AJ Analysis, and Howson, had all recommended him beforehand.
Unfortunately, it hasn’t quite worked out so far, but this was someone highly rated by people who study the game across Europe.
My view is that we should go and target someone like Roger Fernandes - a versatile player who can operate effectively on both the left and right flanks.
Amad
Fernandes
Dorgu
Dalot
Not the best options in the world, but it would at least give us another option on the left.
Now, even if we assume the club were to sign another left wing-back — which, realistically, looks unlikely, then a combination of Dorgu and a new signing would be sufficient. Some might argue that players like Amass or Diego Leon could have been used as backup instead.
On Dorgu specifically, it’s worth pointing out that this was a player a lot of people were excited about. Several United analysts I follow on YouTube, such as Statman Dave, AJ Analysis, and Howson, had all recommended him beforehand.
Unfortunately, it hasn’t quite worked out so far, but this was someone highly rated by people who study the game across Europe.
My view is that we should go and target someone like Roger Fernandes - a versatile player who can operate effectively on both the left and right flanks.
Amad
Fernandes
Dorgu
Dalot
Not the best options in the world, but it would at least give us another option on the left.
Ditto.
I’m not against the formation, I’m just against it with none attacking or even defensive players at wingback.
Still two proper dangerous players there… well now I’m interested.
Aït-Nouri? Don't know how much he'd cost though
Alvaro Carreras was the logical option in January and still is going into the summer. He offers a similar level of playmaking ability from wide as TAA, it's what our side is sorely missing at the moment. I'm still baffled by the head scouts favouring Dorgu over him.
Frimpong and Ait Nouri.
Not exactly prospects but 80-100 million GBP and both positions sorted.
Not exactly prospects but 80-100 million GBP and both positions sorted.
Because he’s not the most industrious player. He’s not going to be able to get up and down the pitch as much as wing back needs to.
Some prospects I’ve heard really good things about. Don’t know a huge amount about them and all very young but apparently huge talents
Patrick Dorgu
Harry Amass
Diego Leon
Patrick Dorgu
Harry Amass
Diego Leon
The risk you run with this formation is if you recruit new players specifically for it and things don't work out with Amorim. The next manager will probably play a more conventional formation and then it's back to having a Frankenstein squad with players we probably can't get rid of that easily.
Amass is better in every department than Dorgu other than physicality and we don’t know how good Leon will be, if we’re to bring in anyone else I’d go for Alvaro at Benfica as we’ve got a cheap buy back and he’s looked great in the league and the CL this season.
On the other side we’d be insane to not activate Frimpong’s release clause or if Dalot is going to be first choice then re-signing Laird from Birmingham is a good back up choice now he’s over his fitness issues from his younger years, I don’t want Amad as a wing back as we need his ability in tight spaces further forward.
This is what I’ve been saying for years, we NEED someone in as Sporting Director who decides on a club system and identity and works with the scouting department and recruitment team to bring players in to fit that system then all the coaches do is coach and pick the team so going forward we have complete continuity instead of overhaul after overhaul with different coaches playing different systems and us being left with a unbalanced squad full of deadwood.
A player dribbling down the pitch is not the same as constantly running up and down it for the whole game.
He played wing back all season for Preston winning young player of the year there, saying he hasn't got the engine for it is a load of tosh. Substitutions are also a thing.
You might want to watch the player more. His engine is fine
Best option is Frimpong and R. Fernandes or someone that similar to them in that they are good attacking rwb. We need more of a attacking one then just someone with physicality. Its about balance. We have Dorgu and Leon that looks physical but looks suspect with their technique.
We dont looks well equipe to get out of pressing trouble from the back, i just dont know what is going on with our players. Are they really that bad technic and skills wise than other EPL teams. Its a bit useless to just have someone that really good physically but mess up the attack patterns witb bad passes, bad touch, cant get out of presses...etc 6/10 times.
We dont looks well equipe to get out of pressing trouble from the back, i just dont know what is going on with our players. Are they really that bad technic and skills wise than other EPL teams. Its a bit useless to just have someone that really good physically but mess up the attack patterns witb bad passes, bad touch, cant get out of presses...etc 6/10 times.
A prime Antonio Valencia would have been perfect.
He's going to end up at Liverpool, isn't he? I agree though, he would be perfect for us.
Think we'll have to settle with Dorgu and hope he develops.
In hindsight I think we should have signed Ait Nouri with the Dorgu money. Don't know if he was available but I don't think he would have been that much more expensive.
What were they thinking when you see how comfortable and composed he is on the ball compared to Dorgu?
I'd still get him. I think we need 4 wing backs with it being a demanding position. I also think Fernandes could play the left CB role nicely.
Amass on loan. Leon who knows. I'd loan him out as well.
What about Dwight McNeil for LWB. Seems he is ideal for that role. Works his arse off with good engine so can go up and down all day long, good defensively, good at carrying the ball and has a brilliant cross. Everton seem to have Ndiaye now on the left so could be a cheapish option. 30 mill?
Not a bad out of the box suggestion
They will all be converts of course, as there’s barely any such thing as a natural wing-back. One of the challenges for recruiting to this role is asking good enough wingers to come here and become wing-backs. I think wing-backs will almost certainly always be full backs by trade, and as such, will often struggle with the attacking talent required to be the primary wide threat, as opposed to the secondary one.
The pool of serviceable wing-backs is an extremely small one, and we need 4. I think Dorgu has just served to highlight the flaws in the role. I think he’d make a great left back. As a secondary wide threat, he just needs to overlap, occasionally kick and rush into space and get crosses in. As the primary one, he needs to go 1v1 himself and have a wider range of pass selection, which he is being exposed for (so far). I think the role is so important in this system, and there is enormous benefit of having a player here who can actually consistently do something with the ball, as they see a lot if it in attacking positions in space or isolated 1v1. I just don’t think asking a full back to provide the consistent quality needed here is realistic.
We can use wingers, and I guess even a second-rate winger (which is the best you will probably get for the role) would still have better ability and instincts than most full backs here. A top class winger, or a player who fancies himself to become one (Quenda), would not come and play wing-back. I think there’s a very small sweet-spot where you could probably get the perfect player. Someone above mentioned Dwight McNeil. He’s one I’ve mentioned on here for years as a player who I think could become a top left-back, but thinking of it - he’s probably even better suited to wing back. That said, I can’t see us buying another LWB after Dorgu and Leon in January. Anthony Elanga is another who I think would be just short of options at the very top level to play as a winger, so may be attracted by the opportunity to come back here as a RWB. He’s a vertical player, incredible athleticism and can run the right flank all day. I see him as similar to Alphonso Davies in profile.
The pool of serviceable wing-backs is an extremely small one, and we need 4. I think Dorgu has just served to highlight the flaws in the role. I think he’d make a great left back. As a secondary wide threat, he just needs to overlap, occasionally kick and rush into space and get crosses in. As the primary one, he needs to go 1v1 himself and have a wider range of pass selection, which he is being exposed for (so far). I think the role is so important in this system, and there is enormous benefit of having a player here who can actually consistently do something with the ball, as they see a lot if it in attacking positions in space or isolated 1v1. I just don’t think asking a full back to provide the consistent quality needed here is realistic.
We can use wingers, and I guess even a second-rate winger (which is the best you will probably get for the role) would still have better ability and instincts than most full backs here. A top class winger, or a player who fancies himself to become one (Quenda), would not come and play wing-back. I think there’s a very small sweet-spot where you could probably get the perfect player. Someone above mentioned Dwight McNeil. He’s one I’ve mentioned on here for years as a player who I think could become a top left-back, but thinking of it - he’s probably even better suited to wing back. That said, I can’t see us buying another LWB after Dorgu and Leon in January. Anthony Elanga is another who I think would be just short of options at the very top level to play as a winger, so may be attracted by the opportunity to come back here as a RWB. He’s a vertical player, incredible athleticism and can run the right flank all day. I see him as similar to Alphonso Davies in profile.
Ait Nouri would be an excellent signing for United or Liverpool (they have been linked with him for ages as a replacement for Robertson). Great going forward, links brilliantly with Cunha (almost telepathic understanding at times - see Saturdays' first goal), and he has also improved his defensive discipline this season under Vitor.
He wouldn't cost the earth either, with one year (plus an additional year's option) left on his contract. We do to pay a sell-on fee to his previous club though. Obviously, we would be sad to see him leave but he has served his time at Wolves and deserves his move. Plus, we have a ready-made replacement in Hugo Bueno to come back from his successful loan spell in Holland.
He wouldn't cost the earth either, with one year (plus an additional year's option) left on his contract. We do to pay a sell-on fee to his previous club though. Obviously, we would be sad to see him leave but he has served his time at Wolves and deserves his move. Plus, we have a ready-made replacement in Hugo Bueno to come back from his successful loan spell in Holland.
Which players are you talking about? Every player we've been linked with does play currently or has played in a "traditional" 4atb formation.
Don't get the fuss with this formation talk linked to the players we're buying. Wing backs would either be full backs who have high stamina and excel in attacking or the vice versa with wingers.
When we were looking at RW prospects under Erik, I felt like we needed someone who could also put a shift in going back. I don't see the profiles changing too much to our wingbacks now, as the ask is the same. I think Yeremi Pino could offer an option in that regard. Strong ball carrier, bags of energy and thought he looked good when he broke through at Villareal. Not seen a huge amount of him since mind you.
We need wingbacks who can rack up goals and assists.
Always involved and crosses a lot too. Only 23 years still, so there’s long term potential and/or resale value if he flops.
If people are expecting Amad to be our RWB - why would we go buy another RWB, we already have one if someone takes the RAM spot.
As soon as Cunha takes the LAM spot nearly all of Dorgu, Amass, Leon & even Garnacho will be fight for the LWB spot.
Frimpong is a wingback that can play as high up as a winger whilst Amad is a winger capable of playing deep as a wingback.
There's a big chance that even at LWB we play a winger rather than a wingback.
A RWB prospect forgotten, due to a terrible ACL injury in October, is Tiago Santos from Lille. Before his injury, he was running up and down the right flank, dribbling, shooting and assisting whilst being very solid defensively. I think he (pre-injury) would be exactly what we need.
The perfect RWB for this system is Frimpong. Already proven, has a release clause for only 33m, used to the 3 atb system, would wonderfully complement Amad and is at his peak age.