03 Jan 2014 00:41:19
it occurs to me that even if we write off this season as a transitional one we may still have to sign at least 1 probably 2 players this january.

it is widely recognized that we still need a creative central midfielder to replace scholes, a decent left sided attacker as januzaj can't play every game, and we could do with back up for raphael at rb as smalling/ jones will be needed at cb
now when you take into account that this is more than likely the last season for rio, evra and giggs and come summer we are already needing a cb, a lb, a rb, a lw and 2x cm (it has been a few years since giggs could be considered a genuine lw so cm)

both vidic and carrick have signed a 1yr extension so they will be with us next year and we will need them not so much on the pitch but more in the dressing room, but if we're being honest, I don't think any of us are expecting to see them continuing much after next season. the same can probably be said of fletcher too, meaning we will soon be needing 2x cb, a rb, a lb, a lw and 3x cm (3, as we have already brought in fellaini)

and just to make matters worse we also have to replace those players who moyes will want to move on, likely fabio, buttner, young, anderson, lindergaard, maybe nani and I wouldn't be surprised zaha (although a loan is more likely)
you could have youth stepping up as januzaj has done this season, but other than powell coming back I don't really see anyone else making that next step that soon, maybe blackett as back up lb

so realistically over the next 2 seasons we could need to bring in a gk, a rb, a lb, 3x cm a lw and maybe a rw too if nani or zaha go, I have not included a fwd as I think by the time rvp retires one of the youth will be ready eg keane
regardless, that is still a hell of a lot of players over a very short period (all needing time to bed in) it may be worth paying a little extra now and getting the right players in (or atleast signed and join in summer - koke)

1.) 03 Jan 2014
Dags, good post but can't see powers-that-be forking out the necessary cash.

2.) 03 Jan 2014
03 Jan 2014 10:52:43
There is a lot wrong with our current squad and many playerd need moving on and replacing. But we have had a very large squad for a long time, I suspect from here on we will look to have a smaller squad but hopefully with more talent, then supplement the numbers with youth players.

Lindegaard may well leave but he could be replaced with Amos and/or Johnstone we also have Gollini in the youth set up who is looking good. So as we would be losing a back up keeper then there really is no need to look to bring one in as we have good youth who could sit on the bench instead.

Same with back up to Rafael, Valencia, Smalling and Jones can all play at RB if needed. They may not be natural RBs but they can cover. If not then Vermijl or Valera could step up from the youth set up.

I would also expect to see the Keane twins, Blackett, Pearson, Lingard, Powell and Wilson all make appearances over the next few seasons.

So we could see 7/8 players from our youth set up replace squad players such as Young, Anderson and Lindegaard.

If we add 5/6 high quality first team players to our squad as well as getting these lads to step up we will have a slightly smaller yet more talented squad.

This is one of the reasons I feel Moyes was appointed, he needs less players over the course of the season as he makes sure the players he has got have a higher level of fitness so they can play more games. He has also shown a desire to bring young players through, he has give Januzaj far more game time than I suspect Sir Alex would have this season and he has said he is focused on the progress of Lingard and Powell. This points to him looking at bringing more youth through.

If we bring more youth through then we can spend less on squad players such as Lindegaard or Buttner and spend more on first team targets. This is what I think the long term plan is.

3.) 03 Jan 2014
Shappy

I think they are going to change a lot of stuff, including youth ranks. The stuff about the Bulgarian defender, the Romanian prospects and now this 18 year old striker, it looks like they are bringing in players who at 17 or 18 have had the majority of their development and coaching already and getting them ready for fist team in a short time span.

I do agree he will prune this squad because let's face it what is the point of having someone in the squad if you play them twice a year. Someone from the youth ranks can do that for you (Buttner, Fabio).

I also believe he will clean up the first team and we will see major changes over the next few windows and up to 10 to 11 players, who are currently in the squad will be replaced by new signings and boys from the academy.

Guys like Kagawa, Zaha are gone unless they significantly improve their play and will not be what he will build his team around.

4.) 03 Jan 2014
Thanks redsince68, tbh I can't see how they can't spend. they are foremost business men, and must realize that we need to be successful on the pitch in order to be commercially successful. I firmly believe that as it stands the debt against the club is entirely manageable will be completely paid off in a few seasons time (assuming we are successful that is)

shappy, I agree with you in regards to the downsizing of our squad, but even so, I do not think there are enough youth ready to play in the prem (for us) just yet and may mean keeping players such as nani and anderson for yet another year. out of those you selected only really powell and maybe lingaard would really get 10+ games next season, but that may put extra pressure on januzaj unless we were to get a cam who could also play on the left such as mata.
in regards to back up for rafael, yes jones and smalling can play there but my point still stands they are not right backs, and although they can do a job there, they are too easily exposed. I would rather give varela a chance and keep with a settled partnership at cb, that way you could play smalling and evans consistently and always have jones to bring on at rb if it is too much for varela, and have keane as back up for cb to gain experience
as for lb, evra is proving to be a consistent weak link so may be worth giving buttner more game time and have blackett as backup and letting evra leave for france, at the very least this will give buttner more game time to improve to fetch a higher price tag
that being said, and given the time that it took for vidic and evra to settle, I still think it would be wiser to bring in a new cb and lb soon to adapt to life at old trafford and so we can have a consistent back four
bringing in another cb and bringing up keane as back up would also allow you to play jones, imo, would be his best position for us, I think he would be a great cb but I feel he would offer more and be even better as a defensive midfielder. played alongside fellaini or possible transfers such as koke, herrara or vidal would give us excellent defensive cover which would in turn allow our more attacking players more freedom with the confidence of who is behind them. it would also allow us to play a 4-2-3-1 system with plenty of movement behind the main striker, whilst still having the personnel to switch to a 4-4-2 if needed