21 Aug 2014 09:40:51
So this is the way I see things atm.

LvG wanted to bring a balance to the side, he wants to have two box to box midfielders who can both defend and attack, he also wants wide players who can play as full backs, wing backs and wingers. He wants this as it allows him to constantly change the shape of the team during a match almost making it impossible to play against. But it appears that his main targets are differcult to sign to say the least.

Hummels looks like he will stay at Dortmund, Benatia wants to go to Bayern, Vidal wants to stay at Juve and Di Maria wants to either stay at Real or join PSG. Personally I don't think we will be able to pull off any of those signings. So we are left with three options.

First sign players who can play the same roles but aren't as good. This means LvG will still be able to play the way he wants but more emphasis will be placed on team play as there will be less individual brilliance in the team.

Second option sign no one and wait until the players he wants become available. This is a terrible option, mostly because the players he wants will have likely moved to other clubs so won't ever be available.

The final option is the one I would go for. That is to slightly tweak his system, it won't be quite as fluid or interchangable as he would like but it could work well as a half way house while they learn his methods and allow them to evolve into his system in a more natural way. For this what I think is needed to to look at the situation, we are unlikely to be able to get a world class CB which means we will be a bit open through the middle. As we can't get a world class box to box player either then the compromise has to be to sign a great or potentially great defensive midfielder. This will provide two benefits, first off it will provide more cover for the defence and hopefully stop us conceding goals like we did against Swansea, and secondly it would release the wide players to attack more and potentially the other midfielder as well. So we could switch and go for Carvalho/De Jong/Mascherano ect and push through a deal for Cuadrado. That would then be enough make do and allow LvG the time to implement his systems while still having more security to the defence. It will also allow Woodward to have the time to focus on the big signings for next summer as he has shown it takes him around a year to get a target once it is picked.

1.) 21 Aug 2014
Lvg will have a plan to build united over a season or 2 not one summer.
Every manager is flexible how many post did we have about lvg system and that he would only play 4-3-3.
People need to calm down .
Lvg and united will sign players with a long term view not with a short term view just for the sake of it.

2.) 21 Aug 2014
Good post Shappy!

One thing is for sure, we won't make top 4 with our current squad. Chelsea, Liverpool, City and Arsenal clearly have better chances than us.

We need reinforcements and stay away from injures(difficult this one).
Rojo is a good defender and will help a lot, but we still need another CB, CM and a winger preferable 2 to be able to compete for top 4.

I just hope we don't become complacent and end up in a Liverpool away.

We always spend a lot of money on signings but most of the time, we invest in the wrong ones.

Even thou, I'm still positive about this season because it can't be worse than the last one.

3.) 21 Aug 2014
Great post Shappy.

I agree that signing no more players would be suicide, without at least two more world class players I can't see us securing a spot in the top four. We do seem to be having trouble securing the services of most of the top targets you mention, although I think you're a little wide of the mark when it comes to Vidal; if he's so happy at Juve, why hasn't he publicly stated his desire and intent to stay in Italy? I think Vidal is attainable, it's just a case of paying what is being asked for and I can't see that happening, even though he would be the difference between Champions League and Europa League qualification.

4.) 21 Aug 2014
Jred, It's all well and good preaching about a long-term perspective but Champions League qualification is essential this season and could well be the difference between a sustained period of decline and a minor blip on the radar.

5.) 21 Aug 2014
Rumple
Imo we have been in decline for the last 5 year, I've made no secret of this .
we are now seeing the result of not properly investing in the squad in the years after ronaldo.
United and lvg will have a plan imo and I don't think it will a case of just buying anyone.

1 week ago everyone thought lvg was a god the team where on an up young and fletcher where great lvg had installed confidence in the team etc etc.
Then after 1 defeat everything changes.
Lvg should change the system he has worked on all summer, the same system people where raving about 5 days ago, if we don't suddenly sign x y z we won't make top 4.

But nothing has changed since lvg took over . I am sure when lvg took over he will of sat down with the relevant people and set out a long term plan and I don't believe that will change on a week to week bases

6.) 21 Aug 2014
LvG will continue to play a 3412 and we will be much better this season under LvG. But we still need 2-3 top notch signings. That has been the case for 2-3 seasons now.