22 Jul 2024 20:01:22
Hi Ed,

Are United looking at a move for Mazroui to replace Wan Bissaka?

{Ed002's Note - West Ham are keen. Manchester United have him down the list - as do Arsenal.}

1.) 23 Jul 2024
23 Jul 2024 17:00:03
Unless AWB is pushing for a move, the RB spots are the last place I’d look to make any changes this window.

2.) 24 Jul 2024
24 Jul 2024 13:13:51
RB is a tricky one. AWB is fine next season as a back up for Dalot, even if stylistically he's very different. However, he is out of contract and would leave on a free next summer and then need replacing.

Yet the club cannot really justify spending a large amount of money on a new RB, when Dalot will likely be first choice and we just need better cover for him.

The perfect solution is to sell AWB this summer and bring someone in for the same amount or less than we get for AWB, who is both a better stylistic fit and has the potential to develop into a genuine first choice option to challenge Dalot. That way they fix that position for the next 3-5 years without it costing them anything.

Spending more than we get for AWB or letting him leave for free next summer meaning the club have to come up with 100% of the cost of bringing in a replacement at that time, are both financially poor decisions.

The tricky thing is can the club identify a replacement this summer who ticks all the boxes (style, age, potential and cost) while selling AWB for an amount that covers the cost of his replacement.

3.) 24 Jul 2024
24 Jul 2024 14:50:08
shappy reading your comments whilst agreeing that selling awb would benefit as he will very likely play limited minutes, you mention that funds for a replacement should equate to the sale price. They simply don't as by shifting other players we could apportion funds from their sales. eg shift sancho 40m awb 15m and 55 m in the pot to cover the costs of important areas recruitment wise and meet regulations etc. The money is of very little or no consequence to fans as the club have personnel to deal with that aspect. you're a bright enough fella to not buy into the journos values of players or the costs, surely! don't believe any figure given by any media outlet at any club and the players probably don't know the true costs.

4.) 24 Jul 2024
24 Jul 2024 21:13:57
Funky, the sums of money aren't the issue, it's where you proportion your spending.

Can the club justify spending 50m on a back up right regardless of what we raise through sales while we still have need of starting players in other positions.

Would you be okay with us selling Casemiro, McTominay, Hannibal and Eriksen for example and only bringing in Ugarte to play alongside Mainoo and have absolutely no cover for the midfield because we spent 50m on a RB to sit on the bench?

Yes we can raise funds by selling players from other positions in the squad, but in doing so we create a squad depth weakness in that area that then also needs to be addressed.