Midfield should be an absolute priority.
Woodward's summer objectives
- Thread starter deadrevelz
- Start date
I'm not saying Woodward's inexperience didn't play a part but if Moyes wasn't willing to accept anybody else then we just had to keep going for the players as they were still attainable.
Except this is the case for every manager after Moyes? LVG never shuts up about Bayern players he wanted to buy that we didn't get, Mourinho has wanted Willian since 16/17, and the board didn't fancy his CB targets so we got no-one.
That is what you get when a manager does your 1st team scouting. They are going to give you a small group of players, often known quantities. If you want an extensive and detailed transfer strategy you hire a specialist, a manager will only know so much about the market.
I know it’s not going to happen but I can’t comprehend why Utd haven’t just gone out and had one huge splurge rather than trying to gradually cobble a team together over 5 summers. It seems so simple!
If you take the following;
Declan Rice £75m
Wan-Bissaka £50m
Hudson Odoi £60m (contract)
Sancho £75m
OK we’ve forked out £250m but they all seem like bankers and would likely deliver 10+ yrs of quality service
We could probably get £50m+ in sales (Rojo, Fosu-Mensah, Bailly, Pereira) so really it’s only a ‘par’ outlay given our pitiful spending last Summer
If you take the following;
Declan Rice £75m
Wan-Bissaka £50m
Hudson Odoi £60m (contract)
Sancho £75m
OK we’ve forked out £250m but they all seem like bankers and would likely deliver 10+ yrs of quality service
We could probably get £50m+ in sales (Rojo, Fosu-Mensah, Bailly, Pereira) so really it’s only a ‘par’ outlay given our pitiful spending last Summer
We need to look at net spent, not on gross spent, also taking into account Fellaini sale proceeds. Probably we will manage to get 30-40 more millions on sales, so net spent may be around 250m.
Haha yup, Sounds like something he would do. 5 year contract 500k a week
The fees thrown around for unproven English talent is ridiculous
I don't think so....it's about ROI isn't it and risk mitigation
We know that all of the players named will have no problems adapting to English football, the climate, the culture etc...and there are no language barriers
We also know that;
A) They have shown enough to make us believe they could be top PL players for 10+ years (meaning ROI is fantastic at £5m-£7.5m per annum)
B) If they don't quite make the very top and fall just short, we can sell them on for a good fee to another English club
Take Wayne Rooney...we paid a world-record fee for a teenager, don't think many would argue now £25m was expensive!
Take the Luke Shaw of early last season...bad injury, been inconsistent but seriously, even if we did decide to cut our losses at that point...we would get that £30m back no problem from a team like Everton/Spurs
I would like to think that our 60+ scouts have similar knowledge of the German, French, Dutch, Spanish set-up's etc.....however, I've seen no evidence of this over the last 10yrs!
You mean like Sanchez, Young, Jones, Smalling and Valencia, all supposedly being English Premier League proven only to turn out to be meah? I don't mind us breaking the bank for a top top talent. However, paying 20-30m extra because of nationality sounds so wrong. 75m for Rice....seriously?
However I don't blame you. I don't even the manager who bring in these sort of players either as they can't and they shouldn't be the ones to scout players 24/7 and can only recommend players they actually follow. That's a DOF/Chief scout job.
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It was Moyes's fault. He wanted Ronaldo, Bale and Fabregas in his first transfer. First two were never going to United, Fabregas said he'd only move if Barca didn't play him in the cup (was very close to transfer deadline day).
But you're somewhat right, Woodward should've told Moyes that he was a lunatic from the start.
I'm starting to think that we need to replace both Matic AND Herrera. Both have their good games and bad ones. But it is pretty evident that we need to have better players to compete against the cream of Europe.
We need one player who can dictate the pace of the game like Veratti or Kroos. We need another who can sit in the front of our defense and have decent ability on the ball to spray it around like Fernandinho. We have to identify players of such ability and get them before they move to a big club.
This is where our scouts and technical director(appoint someone!) need to earn their money. Even as fans we see so many players that we feel are brilliant and then they are snapped up by some other club while our club is busy bidding for unattainable players already at a top club.
Apart from midfield, we need a RW, RB and CB. It's obvious that we can't address all our issues in one window. So we need to prioritize the areas that need immediate attending. I feel CM, RW and RB are the most important.
We need one player who can dictate the pace of the game like Veratti or Kroos. We need another who can sit in the front of our defense and have decent ability on the ball to spray it around like Fernandinho. We have to identify players of such ability and get them before they move to a big club.
This is where our scouts and technical director(appoint someone!) need to earn their money. Even as fans we see so many players that we feel are brilliant and then they are snapped up by some other club while our club is busy bidding for unattainable players already at a top club.
Apart from midfield, we need a RW, RB and CB. It's obvious that we can't address all our issues in one window. So we need to prioritize the areas that need immediate attending. I feel CM, RW and RB are the most important.
Our midfield needs proper reinforcement to put alongside Pogba. Can't all be on him. Matic would be my first choice to replace out of our 3.
Other than maybe 2 mids. CB and RW must buys with RB also being really important since Dalot doesn't play.
Other than maybe 2 mids. CB and RW must buys with RB also being really important since Dalot doesn't play.
The right side of the pitch is the priority, the idea of watching Mata and Young on the same side next season gives me a headache. Valencia, Darmian and Rojo are the minimum that should be out there door. Need something in that midfield, think Fred will be much better next year similar to Lindelof. We need a world class CB to command that backline.
It's really about getting in the right quality players in. I think we will address some areas but doubt we will see huge business, I don't trust Ed at all.
It's really about getting in the right quality players in. I think we will address some areas but doubt we will see huge business, I don't trust Ed at all.
From reading what other posters said after yesterday's game, it's mainly our fitness levels that are the issue 
I've heard it all now. Our fitness levels were responsible for what we saw yesterday.
I've heard it all now. Our fitness levels were responsible for what we saw yesterday.
RW. RB and CM should be the absolute priorities. Another CM, Striker or CB is a bonus but 3 big signings in these positions would transform us.
I doubt we will sign any of them but Meunier (or Bissaka), Sancho, Doucoure and then a bonus of somebody like Alderweireld would be a fantastic summer.
Unfortunately, I think we will spend the money on a big signing that doesn't make much sense like a Coutinho or Bale (Would love either at Utd but not without the other new arrivals also).
I doubt we will sign any of them but Meunier (or Bissaka), Sancho, Doucoure and then a bonus of somebody like Alderweireld would be a fantastic summer.
Unfortunately, I think we will spend the money on a big signing that doesn't make much sense like a Coutinho or Bale (Would love either at Utd but not without the other new arrivals also).
#WoodwardOut!
That should be his number one objective. To feck off.
Bingo.
Not sure you got the sarcasm in his post
As nefore
As before, is anyone confident that Woody is a good negotiator at player level. There is a massive difference from talking to a fan who is also a tractor manufacturer for sponsor dollars, or even shareholders to crossing swords with experienced and street wise player managers. After the stupid boast the we can do things others dream of, he put the club in a position of being hung out for crazy wage demands and his penchant for click bait players.
Hard to see recruitment improving while the Glazers continue to leave him in control. Certainly had assisted their finances while overseeing a fall off the cliff level of player retention and ability.
Hard to see recruitment improving while the Glazers continue to leave him in control. Certainly had assisted their finances while overseeing a fall off the cliff level of player retention and ability.
We need around 6 quality players. I somewhat doubt he will manage that
Youngsters are like popcorn, some pop and some dont with age. Wilishire was the english Iniesta, Welbeck (Henry), Jones (Terry) etc. The press overhypes the lot and prices are too inflated.
We need quality players who need the step up like Liverpool did with Mane, Salah, Firmino and Van Dijk. The player list you mentioned might need 2-3 seasons before they are ready. (maybe not Sancho)
Thats why I hope we look at players like Nicolas Pepe, Neves, Timo Werner etc
Agree though you do need to balance it. Wan Bissaka, Koulibaly, Neves, Sancho and one more midfielder like Saul would be unrealistic but a brilliant summer and address all the issues basically. Would be like 350m though. Unfortunately we do need to spend a stupid amount. Sancho is a perfect signing for our right wing, he's 100m. Koulibaly probably will be 80m or so, but again, needed. Wan Bissaka and Neves I think we could get the 2 for 80-100m combined. It adds up!
I don't think we're quite as bad off as many suggest in terms of squad strength and believe we could do fine with just three signings - maybe four if we lose Herrera (I really hope we won't). Other than that I hope they invest in talents already at the club or graduating from our academy. I also think we should focus this window on our right flank as doing so would make us both more threatening and more secure at once and as such ease the pressure all across the pitch and help everyone else raise their games as well. Personally I would love to see a couple of these names decorating our shirts:
Right Wingbacks:
Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Münich)
Sime Vrsaljko (Inter Milan)
Rikardo Pereira (Leicester)
Right Wingers:
Cengis Ünder (AS Roma)
Martin Ødegaard (Real Madrind / at loan with Vitesse)
Midfielders:
Marcelo Brozovic (Inter Milan)
Rodrigo Moreno Machado (Valencia)
The thought of Kimmich and Ünder dominating our right side and then Shaw plus Martial on our left wing causes me to cream a little... I believe that would make us all kinds of terrifying and open up a lot more options also for our center. Problem is though - would they want to join us? I don't care we should try anyways as I don't think it would be wise to lower the bar as to what caliber of players we tempt our way. We can't feed of scraps and second tiers if we are to battle in the top - our formula should be what it's always been during our most successful eras which is to attract the finest contenders out there and use these to supplement our own homegrown base. Only buy someone if they're truly "up there" and worth feeling excited about - as it's far better to develop our own rotation options - due to the simple fact that someone who's already invested large parts of their youth to this club are far more likely to exhibit that extra drive needed to push the club forwards - than betting (a lot of money) on someone who's simply drawn here by a boost in salary.
Right Wingbacks:
Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Münich)
Sime Vrsaljko (Inter Milan)
Rikardo Pereira (Leicester)
Right Wingers:
Cengis Ünder (AS Roma)
Martin Ødegaard (Real Madrind / at loan with Vitesse)
Midfielders:
Marcelo Brozovic (Inter Milan)
Rodrigo Moreno Machado (Valencia)
The thought of Kimmich and Ünder dominating our right side and then Shaw plus Martial on our left wing causes me to cream a little... I believe that would make us all kinds of terrifying and open up a lot more options also for our center. Problem is though - would they want to join us? I don't care we should try anyways as I don't think it would be wise to lower the bar as to what caliber of players we tempt our way. We can't feed of scraps and second tiers if we are to battle in the top - our formula should be what it's always been during our most successful eras which is to attract the finest contenders out there and use these to supplement our own homegrown base. Only buy someone if they're truly "up there" and worth feeling excited about - as it's far better to develop our own rotation options - due to the simple fact that someone who's already invested large parts of their youth to this club are far more likely to exhibit that extra drive needed to push the club forwards - than betting (a lot of money) on someone who's simply drawn here by a boost in salary.
Don't get your hopes up, fellas. You'll be sorely disappointed if you think Woody will suddenly realize what our squad truly needs in terms of balance, immaculately pitch our project to 5-6 quality signings and have them convinced to join us, negotiate with them shrewdly and finally get all our signings over the line long before the D-day splurge.
I really would be surprised to see him leave Bayern Munich anytime this side of 30.
No problem mate I've already thought of that! We pay 2000-3000 of their rival supporters to pretend they're Bayern fans - always making sure they have seats nearest to the flanks where he spends most of his time - and then have them heckle him badly every game all game long both at home and away. We then proceed to pay three of Russia's finest trolls (they'll probably be more expensive than the fake fans to be honest but they're the best there is at this and well worth the investment) to start degrading him on every supporter forum too. We won't get him during the summer but he'll be more than happy to leave by January I guarantee it - after which we'll just need to make sure he gets the warmest welcome possible so he'll hit the field with a vengeance.
And how many times did Real Madrid tried to build a team before they got it in 2009? How many pounds? How many teams failed at the hands of Lyon? Do you all have amnesia?
Bayern has first refusal to everyone in their league, several top players have allowed their contracts to run down so they can join Bayern. This kind of privilege is not available in premier league.
Rebuilding is not about throwing money at it, it’s about getting the right players.
Lets just hope we buy some players with a footballing brain,that can trap a ball first time and pass it!Not rocket science!
After getting laughed at for buying back Pogba at 80mill, wouldn't be surprised if Woodward objective this summer is to sell Pogba and end up getting a handsome profit of 10-20mill to show the Glazers that he is still the man to fill their pockets.
We won't make 2 big name signings (we are saving money, so the Glazers can use the cash for whatever they want - non football related) and we certainly won't be making the CL final.
There are some other people in this thread talking about 2nd place. If we make 4th place next season, it'll be some achievement.
We are a 4th place team - last season we finished 2nd and we had a manager in place who (with financial backing), could've taken us to the title (Jose is a serial winner), but Ed decided it would be best to save money and stick with a 4th place target. Further more, we have only finished in the top 2, once in several years, which tells me that Woodie is quite satisfied with this.
So, my expectations: 4th or 5th place and win nothing. Possibly 1 big name signing in the Summer, though I would not hold my breath. The aim is to finish in 4th, while spending as little money as possible.
I will also add the following: while The Glazers own the club, I don't think we'll win the title.
Something tells me that our coaches are instructing our players to not do this.
Players arrive at MUFC, fully able to execute 1 touch passing. But as the months/years roll on, they seem to lose this ability.