Manchester United Banter Archive May 31 2018

31 May 2018 20:26:47
Quick question for Ed004 as well as anyone else who has a thought on the matter. Obviously we are getting linked with lots of players as always, however what has struck me this summer is how many positions we are being linked with strengthening.

Typical we have seen Jose make around 4 signings. It looks like we should tie up a RB and CM in Dalot and Fred. However along with them we are being linked with CB's (Alderweireld predominantly), LB's (Sandro), another CM (SMS), RW's (Willian/ Bale) and back up CF's (Arnautovic/ Mandzukic) .

If we were to indeed strengthen in all of those areas that would total up to 7 signings which would be very expensive and I cannot see us bringing in that many along with Alexis who came in January. My question is which areas do you think are out priorities and how many signings do you think we will make?

Ozzy.

{Ed004's Note - I think we are looking to make 6 signings. I think right back looks like a youth player in Dalot who will be Valencias eventual replacement, centre back will be a player of top quality (Alderwerield or Umtitti) or no one, a left back is a necessity. In midfield I think we will sign Fred and then apparently want a youth player. Lastly up top if Bale is available I think we will push for him}

31 May 2018 20:47:26
Thanks for the reply. I’d be happy with that. I think fullbacks, Fred and Bale should be the priority. Anything else I’d see as a bonus. One last point, what do you make of the whole Bailly situation where he was frozen out for the last couple months of the season? I don’t really buy the world cup excuse as Rojo barely featured either.

{Ed004's Note - I would agree that those are priority areas. A centre back would be a huge bonus. Mainly a leader and good ball playing centre back - think it could take us up a level. I think Bailly will be fine. He just needs a good preseason under his belt}

31 May 2018 21:17:30
Does Milnkovic Savic class as 'youth' Ed004 lol? Want him more than anything, also think we definitey need a top CB, ideally Alderweireld. Dream window would be Sandro, Toby, Fred, Savic, Bale but again, its just a dreaaammm.

{Ed004's Note - I disagree. I can't see how him and Pogba would operate together so would prefer the funds to go elsewhere tbh}

31 May 2018 21:29:01
If all of that happens its happy days ED.

{Ed004's Note - A lot can happen over transfer window though. No one saw Dalot signing or Fabinho for Liverpool}

31 May 2018 21:59:05
Or if Pogba fails to perform in the upcoming season, then we can get Savic to replace him? Actually looks extraordinary.

{Ed004's Note - Don't want to write Pogba off just yet}

31 May 2018 22:10:46
Dont think he will fail myself Ed, 17 goals and assists in 26 or so games out of position in a defensive team, think he got overly criticised (unfairly) during the season and he performed quite well against the top teams. Long as he doesn't colour his hair and have fun eh Ed. 😏.

{Ed004's Note - Exactly. I think he has been harshly criticised tbh}

31 May 2018 22:30:44
Very true ed. I think we will see one or two surprises.

01 Jun 2018 03:43:10
Love the way everyone talks about savic so nonchalant, he'd cost upwards of a tonne and we need to strengthen elsewhere. Would love to see him here but jot while pogba is here.

01 Jun 2018 09:58:10
I think we will sign 3 or players no more .
What do people make of dalot? Young lad only played 8 games I wouldn't be surprised to see him go out in loan.

01 Jun 2018 10:18:20
No problem with us buying Dalot for the future but it doesn't solve the problem of us having a rubbish right back and needing a better one right now. The problem is I think Jose believes Valencia is the current solution for that position and its just the rest of us who want to replace him.

01 Jun 2018 10:39:43
Don't no anything about dalot .
Read he has only played 8 games done his knee last month and give a interview on Tuesday saying
The recovery is going well . Above all it takes a lot of patience, knowing that it’s a lengthy process and without hurry to achieve the maximum recovery. For it to be at the highest level, I work. "

Dalot could just be paper talk.

01 Jun 2018 11:47:13
Love the debate on Dalot. If we sign him, he doesn't solve the problem. If we sign an established player, Jose only signs experienced players and doesn't give youth a chance. So which is it?

01 Jun 2018 09:55:29
I have to disagree regarding savic ed. Yes there are similarities between pogba and savic: namely physical stature, close control and ball playing abilities. However, savic is more disciplined than pogba. He is willing to perform his defensive duties and is more consistent than pogba. I do think pogba has more ability to do something special, but savic will be more consistently reliable than pogba. There is definitely space for both players to be be operating in a 3 man midfield, pogba on the left and savic on the right. However, with the signing of Fred, it does seem one of these players including matic will be rotated. I hope to see matic rotated with Fred and that will give us a more my dynamic midfield. Savic’s fee is astronomical but he is going to be one of the best midfielders in the world in the next few years. As will pogba. I would be delighted to see both in the side.

{Ed004's Note - I just think that midfield would lack mobility. Matic Pogba and SMS all aren't slow but how will they cope coming up against a quick and nippy attack like City's or Napolis etc. Just think it would restrict our pressing ability. Also think Pogba needs someone who will link the play beside him. Not someone who will probably be the most advanced of the three if he signs}

01 Jun 2018 12:04:54
When its on the bbc it isn't paper talk. Your just probably disappointed we're signing players to improve the team.

01 Jun 2018 12:07:56
United addict
I don't think anyone knows anything about dalot so I don't think there has been much debate .
What's your view on him.

01 Jun 2018 12:20:56
Singh
So you think dalot will improve the team? Based on what .
We he be a first team player?

Sms looks a decent player but pogba at juve looked better . EPL is a different animal than seria a.
I agree with ed sms and pogba are very similar add matic and I'm not sure the 3 look very dynamic.

01 Jun 2018 12:45:40
I think 5.
Dalot can cover rb and lb.
Toby for cb. Hopefully with 2 departures.
Fred and A N Other for midfield
A forward for the RW.

I don't think Savic and Bale/ Griezmann in one window is realistic. Its an either or. So depending on which one comes in the other signing will be cheaper.

01 Jun 2018 13:05:30
Yeh you make a fair point ed. I think it’s signing of Fred is actually a very shrewd one from what I’ve seen from his style of play. His agility and mobility will do the world of good for our midfield which does seem slow and immobile at times. Fred has good tackling stats and him sitting with savic and pogba further forward would be a very strong midfield. But I can see your point regarding savic. If we are not going to sign another midfielder I would rather see us give Fosu Mensah an opportunity then go and spend 50m on a squad player. His best position is cm and he has an engine and can bring a tempo to our midfield that we lack. Interesting to see what happens.

01 Jun 2018 13:14:16
Darmian out Dalot in is a big improvement even if he doesn't get a game. Its not adarmian playedy any games for us this year.

Anyway i was talking more about other positions that we will sign players for which will instanteously improve our team. Such as lb, cb and midfield.

01 Jun 2018 13:34:40
Singh
So dalot is a big improvement on darmian?
Like I say not seen a lot of dalot but darmian is a decent player who struggled in the epl.

01 Jun 2018 13:36:20
I think there will be a lot of disappointed fans if they think we will make 6 or 7 signings this summer.

We just don't have the space to make that many signings unless at least that many leave.

We currently have 7 players who can play at CB. (Smalling, Jones, Bailly, Lindelof, Rojo, Blind and Tuanzebe) . So considering Jose tends to play with a back four then at least a couple will need to depart before someone else can come in.

At full back we have Valencia, Darmian, Shaw, Young and Mitchell. Two are over 30 and the other two are likely to depart this summer, while the other is a youngster. So I would expect one or two full backs this summer. Dalot can cover both sides and is young. Probably look at another more experienced left back as well.

In midfield we have Matic, Pogba, Herrera, Fellaini, McTominay, Andreas Pereira and TFM. That's 7 after we discount Carrick. We look like signing Fred, while Fellaini's future is also up in the air. Again Jose like to stick to a midfield duo. So even if Fellaini leaves and Fred signs. We would have Matic, Pogba, Herrera and Fred as four experienced players fighting over two positions, with McTominay, Pereira and TFM as youngsters providing back up. Ideally I expect Mourinho would like a second midfield signing, however, I doubt he will get it.

We have 3 strikers in Lukaku, Rashford and Martial for one position, so we are unlikely to see another striker. We have Mata, Sanchez, Lingard, Martial, Rashford and Pereira who can fight it out for the positions behind the striker or out wide. I can see the argument for signing a player for the RW as no one has totally tied that position down. But considering a top player cost at least 40-50m these days I can't see us signing more than 4, maybe 5 if a couple of them can be attained on the cheap (or relative cheap for modern football anyway) .

People are suggesting 20m on Dalot, 50-60m on Alex Sandro, 45m on Alderweireld, 45m on Fred, 80m on Milinkovic-Savic, 100m+ on Bale and possibly a back up striker such as Arnautovic for 50m.

That's at least 400m on 7 players. That just won't happen. Expecting it to really is living in fantasy land.

01 Jun 2018 14:01:18
jred, i didn't hear of his name before we were linked to him. So cannot comment either way on him. Was just pointing out the irony in the comments of some of the supporters. Them pointing out that Dalot is young and won't be a first choice are the same who want Rashford/ Martial pplay each game because they are young. They want a more experienced/ older player for RB and then they will be pointing out how Jose doesn't trust youth.

01 Jun 2018 14:16:02
Any player that comes into a team to replace a player which never plays a game is an improvement in my eyes.

01 Jun 2018 14:30:22
Singh
What strange way to rate a player.

United addict
Do people not want martial etc to play because they think they are good players or is it just there age.

I'm not even sure dalot is being bought for the first team maybe a bit more one for the future?
He made his debut in February due to injury made 6 league appearances then got injured himself . EPL and United seem a big step .

01 Jun 2018 13:55:33
Midfielder, LB, RW, RB for me in that order if we only get 4. After that it's CB and another midfielder.
All will depend on departures.
I know this Jose wants 4 players is rolled out every year but I read something the other day that in each of his years here he has actually wanted an additional player but the club would not sanction it so maybe Eds 6 is not so far fetched.
Savic only comes in if Pogba goes is my take on it.

01 Jun 2018 16:05:02
Was Zlatan a good player, isn't Sanchez a good player? Do people want Martial to play ahead of Sanchez? Did everyone wanted Rashford ahead of Zlatan? can't see anything but age being a factor deciding there? What say jred?

01 Jun 2018 16:09:54
It is a big step. But signing young unknowns from abroad is a united tradition and I thought we were all for keeping our traditions?

Maybe we don't have to budget to sign 7 world class players to fill all the holes in the squad people want filled and have to go for a couple of cheaper lesser known alternatives.

01 Jun 2018 16:33:59
Not bothered so much about the amount to get signed on but more the quality. Umtiti being mentioned but personally don't think it will happen and a feeling he could be bother, alderwiereld- how much service at his age taking fee into account- would like to see a punt on inters milan skriniar. Quality left back and those mentioned as probable would be a good window. Can see about six or seven going out, shaw, fellaini, smalling, blind, mata, darmian and possibly martial. If martial goes then i could see a big name forward on the cards.

01 Jun 2018 18:04:32
One word, Bebe.

01 Jun 2018 18:45:13
Amother word ole (but sure its easier to be negative)

01 Jun 2018 20:26:32
Who's being negative?
I know nothing about him, just because we buy a player does it make us stronger?
Is he even for the first team or one for the future, only 19 only made 6 league appearances.
If he is bought as right back I would imagine that means our captain Tony will remain at first choice rb . And look at how many people have cried about that all season .

Never seen dalot play but at least a few of the experts on here must of .
I asked a few questions never got a single answer tho.

01 Jun 2018 20:34:00
United addict
I think people wanted martial to play more not sure it had to be instead of Sanchez same for Rasford.

Don't see a single post saying dalot shouldn't be bought or he isn't a good player.
But the lad has 6 league appearances for a different club in a much easier league so I don't see any thing wrong with a debate about what his role MIGHT be if we buy him .

Might walk straight into the first team? I don't think so
Might be in and around the squad . Maybe
Might even be one for the future and go out on loan .

01 Jun 2018 22:11:12
'I asked a few questions never got a single answer tho' sounds like when we ask you a question jred 😂😂

But honestly, dalot is an unknown quantity. But if anybody knows anything about him it will be Jose, Porto boy.

I'd imagine 3 signings, any more than that will mean there will be a few out the door.

It looks as though dalot and fred will be added and then I think we will see another attacker of some sort. People then have to go for more room to be made in the squad.

01 Jun 2018 22:29:36
Angle
Always back my opinion pal.

01 Jun 2018 23:43:26
Bored scouser but on Dalot who’d of thought Andy robbo would improve us and so fast? You lot must of been laughing at that signing so give the kid a chance.

02 Jun 2018 01:02:56
Debatable jred lol.

31 May 2018 12:38:43
Zidane has resigned! Wow It has come as a huge shock. None in the media had a whiff of that.

31 May 2018 13:05:22
As soon as a press conference was mentioned, I knew he was off, I have no doubt it is to make sure Bale stays at Madrid as they can not allow both him and Ronaldo to leave in the same window, Ronaldo leaving to go to Psg i think.

31 May 2018 18:05:51
I said at Xmas he would be gone surprised he made it this long to be honest.

31 May 2018 07:20:44
Interesting and positive to read Jose asking Woodward to buy Bale but not impacting Jose's budget for other players.
I have recently said that Bale's purchase fees could be used to buy other players. However if EW can do what Jose is suggesting then I think it will be fantastic. Ed can get his high profile and short seller and Jose can strengthen other key needed positions. It would be a win win.
I hope EW works out a plan and I am sure he know how to recuperate that money afterall he is good with figures.
I'm really looking forward to our final team for next season.

31 May 2018 08:14:21
Whilst i agree we shouldn't overspend tremendously on bale, i don't think quantity is the answer either.

In the USA they have a saying that you shouldn't split a dollar for four quarters and i would dislike us going for four average players of darmian, blind, schneiderlin and depay quality as opposed to getting a bonafide great player like bale.

Woodward has constantly talked the talk about getting the best players. Here we clearly have one in bale who wants an out from madrid and i think we should do all we can to sign him.

31 May 2018 08:57:22
I think he will really help us launch a serious assault on the title and maybe win it. But obviously EW has to sort out the financials as we still need to beef up the defense and maybe 1-2 midfielders.
Exciting time are ahead.

31 May 2018 09:55:08
Do we really need to make wholesale changes to the defence this summer? Only conceded 28 goals this season which was one more than city.

Antonio valencia was solid last season, eric bailly is top quality and mourinho needs to stop picking unnecessary fights with him. Lindelof was signed for a reason, don't see why he shouldn't be persevered with.

I agree we need a left back if jose is fed up with like shaw. But that's one player who will not cost absurd amounts. In midfield we need to replace carrick/ fellaini and that only really requires one player as they both rarely played last season.

We scored 68 goals last season, less than two a game and 38 goals less than man city. We did that without a clear RW, so that seems like the most pressing concern. Arnautovic and willian won't solve that problem but someone like bale or griezmann will.

31 May 2018 10:03:23
When does the club stand up and stop throwing money at name after name. The ethos is wrong and football is sometimes dire. The club needs a kick up the backside and it’s commercial strategy especially in the recruitment space needs to be reviewed.

31 May 2018 10:04:46
I don’t buy we are a good defence, said it before, DDG was 5th in most shots saved with the likes of Butland, Fabianski (both relegated) ahead of him, suggests to me DDG is bailing us out a lot and our defence isn’t as good as some suggest, I think we need a CB and LB for sure and then a RB to take over Valencia next year. We need a CM that’ll compliment and/ or take some load of Matic as he isn’t an island.

31 May 2018 10:17:25
So maze who would purchase that's better than what we have currently at a fraction of the price that's being quoted.

People need to understand that times have changed. we have the debate every year about we shouldn't be spending x amount on players.

The fact is that 30 million players do not go for 30 million anymore. it seems 50 million is the going rate.

To buy the best you have to pay the price it's irrelevant how much someone costs if the paying club can pay it and are Willing to pay it.

City had spent over 200 million on a defence and won the title.

Money is not the problem spending the money on the right players is the problem.

Commercialy we are one of if not the club in the strongest position in terms of finance coming in.

And that's not being the top of English or European football for some time.

So the club is obviously still up there and we are doing fantastic in that department.

I do agree that the recruitment needs improving but that's just a gamble you make when you buy a player.

Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't.


But for us to win titles and challenge in Europe we need to make signings.

Every team is in the same boat. Some more than others.

31 May 2018 10:29:03
The thought of a front 4 (4231 formation) of lukaku, sanchez, Bale and pogba is pretty damn exciting imo. If we have two sold cms to allow those 4 some freedom, as well as attacking full backs, that's a pretty tasty attack. I'm sure sanchez will come good, and moving pogba into the attacking midfield role will remove some of the defensive burden from him which he seems to dislike, and also stop him and sanchez from occupying the same space.

Its a little sad for jese, rash and martial, as they would be reduced to back up only, but they haven't done enough to make me believe they are ready to make their positions their own, so I'm OK with it.

So a solid cm to partner Matic, (Fred maybe? ) Bale, and say a cb and full back, and we would have a decent team with a good chance of achieving something.

31 May 2018 10:29:59
I am all for that we need to buy a couple-few defensive players. We also need to possibly get 1-2 midfielders. That’s a bare minimum for me. Given that we don’t know what Pogba is deciding. Sanchez I feel will come good but I feel Sanchez and Pogba don’t seemed to be a likely pair. Feel somehow there is some internal friction. Hope I am greatly wrong there.
Bale would be a great addition but as I have been saying he costs too much and if Ed can use a separate budget combining marketing funds etc I’m all for it. I’m only concerned about derailing the budget Jose wants to use to beef up the defense and midfield.

31 May 2018 11:11:23
Alderweireld, Alex Sandro, Fred, Milinkovic-Savic and then Bale or Griezmann as an extra would be some summer.

31 May 2018 11:15:33
We could dream Welsh.

31 May 2018 12:51:56
Because JM does not want to concede goals above all then I think he’ll want to strengthen defence.

Because he’s lacked faith in back 4 he’s played the really conservative game to reinforce his belief, hence signing Matic was so important to him.

Once defence is sorted I think (or rather hope! ) he’ll play a more attacking game.

31 May 2018 01:19:43
Not so much an in game rule change but if could change anything about the game I would give a bonus point for scoring four or more in a game, wouldn't effect most games but would encourage attacking play. Even mourinho would start going for it instead of sitting on 1-0 leads.

31 May 2018 06:48:54
Rolling substitutes. Team should have 14 players with 3 off the pitch at any one time and change on the refs signal during breaks in play.

It would maximise the minutes given to young lads, allow players on the interval bench to get checked or in game massages to stop potential injury and keep players energy levels up to maximise the entertainment spectacle.

31 May 2018 07:05:19
You honestly think if a team could only choose 14 players that could roll on and roll off, that any one of them would be a youngster? This would make it a lot harder for a youngster to break through because your 3 subs would become even more important and no top manager is going to put youth on the bench.

31 May 2018 10:01:42
Mumbles there could be provisions for this. Could be mandated that at least 2 players must be under 21 year old or 1 player must be a youth grad. There is nothing worse than watching a player come on with 1 minute to go what is the point? Or all 3 subs have been made and an injury changes the game on its head, it ruins the spectacle.

31 May 2018 10:22:57
Not being funny maze but that's just a ridiculous idea.

If a youngster is good enough there going to get game time.

It's not about giving youngsters game time just for the sake of it because we need to develop them.

There time will come if there ready and good enough to play.

Would be better having more subs and being able to make more subs.

I do agree partially that there should be something in place to benift the English national team ie having so many English players in the squad etc.

But I think the reason there's not enough English playing is because there just not good enough.

31 May 2018 11:31:56
So you feel rolling subs wouldn’t enhance the game?

{Ed002's Note - There is already too much rolling around from the players on the pitch, the last thing we need is those on the bench rolling around and pretending to be injured as well.}

31 May 2018 12:42:09
Haha Top Comment Ed002.