16 Jan 2019 13:58:06
If we was to sell this month, I would only move rojo, felliani, darmian, Pereira on.

Personally I think darmian would make a good centre back but he probaly won't get a run there in the team.

I don't think we should be bringing anyone in this month as the new manager is not confirmed and should be his signings to make.

We have more than enough players to cover all positions, we can make use off our younger players.


1.) 16 Jan 2019
16 Jan 2019 15:04:08
We have a bloated squad which needs dramatically reducing.

Players such as Jones, Rojo, Darmian, Grant, Valencia, Fellaini, Andreas Pareira, Joel Pareira and TFM are either not good enough or so far down the pecking order that they need to move for their own good.

Then there are question marks over players such as Smalling, Mata, Young and McTominay. These guys have qualities the squad lacks, yet they don't have the kind of rounded ability that makes them useful in every game. These guys should stay at least one more season, probably.

Then There is Pogba and Sanchez, two players who it has been reported want to leave. They have the talent, but have struggled to show it consistently for us. If they do have an attitude problem that risks damaging the group then they should leave before anyone else.

However, we do have some wonderful young players at academy level that are ready to step up over the next couple of years in to squad roles. Henderson, O'Connor, Tuanzebe, Hamilton, Garner, Chong, Gomes and Greenwood.

Plus we have a decent core in the first team that could potentially be the group we build around. DDG, Romero, Lindelof, Bailly, Dalot, Shaw, Herrera, Matic, Fred (potentially), Lingard, Martial, Rashford and Lukaku.

That's 28 players without any of the lads in the academy stepping up. 36 if we include them.

We could comfortably see 9-12 leave with only 4-5 coming in and still have plenty of cover in all areas.

We have a good first team, with a couple of additions it could be great. What we need though is more strength in depth in terms of quality.

So I would be happy to see the start of that clear out happen this month, let the players who don't have a future here leave. We have a manager who can if need be give a youngster or two a run if we are caught short. I'm slightly gutted that Tuanzebe isn't available to be given a run alongside Lindelof at the moment as I feel he could step up in this team at the moment.


2.) 16 Jan 2019
16 Jan 2019 16:04:56
Shappy - i agree that we are overloaded with squad players but would (without inside info) be more cautious about getting rid whilst we still have contracts to sort out on some players, and also the unsure situation of, pogba being touted and available, martial, unsure of signing and ddg still not nailed down. Can see the shout out for younguns coming in but not in volume and think it would be a mix of little and if needed though.
Probably let sanchez go with immediate effect and rojo if I had a choice as one hasn't cut the mustard and rojo is the new Darren Anderton.


3.) 16 Jan 2019
16 Jan 2019 16:43:23
Cookyman, Yes I would still let them go. If they aren't integral to the future of the side then let them find a club where they will get to play most weeks.

Yes we have a few players who have yet to sign new contracts. Of those I think we should be making an effort to keep are DDG, Martial and Herrera. The others if they left I don't think anyone would cry about it.

With DDG just pay the man what he deserves, he is our best player and has consistently dug us out of a hole. He is also arguably the best keeper in the world. We need to tie him down to a new deal asap.

Herrera I think the club are just dragging their heels as they maybe don't see him as important as others. Personally, from our current squad I would make Herrera captain. I'd imagine he would be keen to sign a new deal then.

Martial just needs to be shown he is highly thought of and that he will be given the chances he needs to fulfil his potential. He had a rough time under Jose, regularly dug out, dropped, had his shirt number taken away, was replaced by Sanchez just when he hit top form. Show him the love and I'm sure he'll sign a new deal.

However, the likes of Darmian, Rojo and Valencia are not going to replace any of DDG, Herrera or Martial if they don't sign new deals so I see no problem in letting them go.


4.) 16 Jan 2019
16 Jan 2019 17:29:46
Shappy we've had some good debates and conversations over the years. Especially back in the day when we were both known for posting ridiculously long pieces.

But i've got to say, I disagree with a lot of what you've said here in all honestly, I imagine many will in fact stay with the club for a further 12 months.

Whoever the technical director and/ or new manager will be in the summer needs time to assess everyone.

In my view there's more likely to be a mass exodus in 2020 with young fringe players moving on this summer.


5.) 16 Jan 2019
16 Jan 2019 19:03:49
Moon, we have a 28 man squad, any new manager will want to bring in at least 3-4 of their own players. That would push us to a squad size in excess of 30. Ergo there will have to be departures.

Also we have several players who want to leave for various reasons.

On top of that I read today we could have as much as 248m in unpaid transfer fees yet to pay, add that to a bloated wage bill. Then something has to give.

We will likely see several loan deals if we can't sell enough players.


6.) 16 Jan 2019
16 Jan 2019 21:01:29
Shappy that's incorrect, latest results show it's 129.


7.) 16 Jan 2019
16 Jan 2019 21:09:06
Why does anyone need to assess these players? Just look at the last few years and say how many of these need keeping.


8.) 16 Jan 2019
16 Jan 2019 21:42:47
Core squad: Romero, De Gea, Dalot, Lindelof, Bailly, Shaw, Matic, Pogba, Herrera, Fred, Lingard, Mata, Martial, Rashford, Sanchez and Lukaku.

Young players: Henderson, Tuanzebe, Chong and Greenwood.

That leaves a first team squad of 20, but a squad that is thin on defenders and central midfielders. At least one centre half, a full back on either side and a central midfielder is needed. A right wing is a nice luxury too.

Surplus: Joel Pereira, Valencia, Young, Jones, Smalling, Rojo, Fellaini, Andreas and

To sum, a core of 16 players with 4 young players ready to play a part and four or five new signings to supplement what we have. My picks would be Pereira/ Wan Bissaka, Skriniar, Tierney, Rice, Douglas Costa or Hirving Lozano.

Don’t think it got posted yesterday but Lukaku, does he stay or does he go?


9.) 17 Jan 2019
17 Jan 2019 04:21:26
Young should be kept as he can cover both left and right back position during injuries and hectic fixtures. He also has leadership qualities.
Mata is another important squad player as he epitomizes the club - passion, character and commitment.
Joel has time on his side to develop.

In contrast,
Andreas is too fragile to play holding midfield role, he gets dispossessed far too easily.
Smalling could provide good cover.
Jones should be sold as he is far too injury and error prone.
Fellaini and Darmian should leave too.
Valencia has been a good servant to the club and it's time for him to leave because he doesn't offer much to the side.

But practically speaking, it is difficult to shift too many of these players due to their high wages.