12 Jul 2015 09:24:32
The de gea situation and our need for 1 maybe 2 centre backs has been done to death so i wanted to open a debate about about the striker conundrum.
Lots of names have been mentioned but what needs to be decided first is whether we are going to view Rooney as our premier, up front, striker or are we going to move him back to a number 10 role. If we are saying that rooney is going to be our first choice number 9 then we should be looking to bring in another back up striker say between 15m-25m. I will throw in benteke should for debating purposes as then we would have his physicality or wilson's pace sat on the bench as alternatives if rooney is off the boil for any reason. If however LVG sees rooney as a better number 10 then clearly we need to bring in an A list stiker such as benzama, cavani or lacazette. Clearly it does depend on how LVG sees things and who is or isn't avaiable. Personally i am not sure rooney is an out and out number 9 despite his record but at the same time it does present some selection dilemas( good ones though) if we do move rooney back.
One final thought, i am not a gambling man but i am v surprised to see us as 4th favourites to win the league next year at 11/2. Clearly chelsea are the team to beat but with signings we have made, and will make, together with LVG having a better understanding of what the premier league is all about i genuinely expect us to be pushing chelsea a lot closer than we did last season. Out of last seasons top 4 i see city as the ones under pressure as at times last year they had a massive over reliance on kompany, da silva, and aguerro and when they didn't perform or were injured city looked very ordinary and beatable.

1.) 12 Jul 2015
12 Jul 2015 10:40:51
with this striker clearout its pretty evident that james wilson will have a bigger role this season and i'm all for it.

2.) 12 Jul 2015
12 Jul 2015 12:18:29
For me there are 3 potential options for how deal with the striker situation.

We buy a world class striker, make him our starting number 9 and move Rooney back to 10. My pick for this would be Benzema and although a deal may be possible it would be a difficult one and wouldn't be ideal if he was coming in late in the window and wasn't 100% dedicated to the move. Moreover I have my reservations about what moving Rooney back to number 10 will have on the rest of the team, I'd much rather have Herrera/Mata at the head of our midfield.

The second option is we buy a prem-proven goalscorer who will be happy just to be at United. Some may disagree but I believe Benteke would be the best selection for this option. The stats don't lie, he is one of the top prem strikers currently. He brings a physical presence that would be ideal for the last half hour of a game or tough away games against mid table and low table teams. He's quick, strong, holds the ball up and a good finisher. The main drawback is his price, at 32.5 million he's an expensive back-up, but you know what you're going to get with him.

The last option is we buy a young striker who will eventually replace Rooney as a striker. The candidate - Harry Kane. Would be expensive, but has the potential to be lead the line for a decade. Suits our style of play down to the ground and I'd hate to see him at any of the other top clubs.


P.S I think the club's plan to replace Rooney will come to fruition next summer when we'll go all out for Gareth Bale. Him behind Harry Kane would certainly pi** off the spurs fans haha.

3.) 12 Jul 2015
12 Jul 2015 12:39:43
it seems we share a lot of the same ideas. As per my own post i would love benzema to be the outright number 9 but if we can't land an ' A lister'then a back up striker like benteke who would offer something different would be ideal

4.) 12 Jul 2015
12 Jul 2015 12:40:45
Don't think moving Rooney to number 10 is an option, mata is better than Rooney in that role and arguably so are ADM, Depay and possibly Januzaj on his day. I think we will either sign Kane or Lacazette to rotate with Rooney and gradually replace him or we will try to get Muller and line up with a front 3 of Depay Rooney Muller with ADM or Mata playing no. 10 role

Benteke for under £20mil would b a good option but for £32mil plus I'd much rather bid for Muller, Lacazette or Kane in that order

5.) 12 Jul 2015
12 Jul 2015 15:18:57
Aubemayang is someone who's name hasn't came up much and apparently dortmund want rid would people take him?