09 Aug 2021 20:46:29
I see there are a few stories floating about from "club sources" that Donny has come back looking stronger, with a point to prove, like a man possessed etc.

While I don't doubt that he has come back with the aim of getting into the first team. I do wonder if these stories (which all seem to come from within the club) are being put out to justify not signing another midfielder. You can hear it now "Donny is like a new signing" etc.

Seems like the club are laying the groundwork to turn not signing another midfielder into a positive spin.

I'm not too fussed if we keep Dalot and not sign Trippier. But I think we need to sign a top class midfielder if we are to go from outside chance challengers to genuine challengers.

Fingers crossed I'm wrong and we bring in a midfielder capable of being undisputed first choice and who elevates the team and makes us stronger.

1.) 09 Aug 2021
09 Aug 2021 21:01:39
We won't be challengers to win the league with ole in charge regardless of who he signs or doesn't sign.

2.) 09 Aug 2021
09 Aug 2021 21:18:55
I think our buisness is done.
We haven't been able to move players on. I can't see us signing a midfielder without 2 or 3 sales. We seem to be asking to much for anders p, lingard seems to want to stay, martial will probably be in the same boat. Pogba will either sign a club record contract or move on a free. I'm hoping for the latter.
All this talk about ole playing a more expansive 4 3 3 is a load of tosh in my opinion. Every pre season game he has played his go to formation and I can't see him changing that.
I'm with you shappy with what type of cm we need but I can't see us signing anyone with the amount of players we have.

3.) 09 Aug 2021
09 Aug 2021 21:21:25
I would like to see a midfielder added Shappy but our squad is bloated, especially in midfield. If we did add let's say Neves, whom I'm a huge fan of, that means we'd have Neves, Pogba, Fred, McTominay, VdB, Matic and even Garner at the minute. All those players vying for two spots on the pitch.

I don't think a midfielder should be signed until one of those leaves and I would doubt there is any real interest in any of them except Garner on loan.

This is why the Pogba situation is very frustrating. He will play the majority of our games this season even though he is certain to leave. It's poor squad management.

4.) 09 Aug 2021
09 Aug 2021 21:40:24
There was talk of Barcelona looking at Fred to replace messi and I got excited unfortunately it was Fred flintstone they were considering.

5.) 09 Aug 2021
09 Aug 2021 22:11:57
People in Dubai don't like the Flintstones but people in Abu Dhabi doooooo.

6.) 09 Aug 2021
09 Aug 2021 23:20:43
I’d rather promote Garner then buy more players. He looks like he’s a talent - needs a chance.

7.) 10 Aug 2021
09 Aug 2021 23:59:12
I'm not sure Eric. I'd normally agree with you but he may be better on loan until we free up some space i just don't see ole playing him often enough ahead of pogba vdb matic Fred and mctom so I don't think he will get the minutes under ole.
Only greenwood has broken through under him. Williams and tuanzebe were discarded last season.
Ole is safety first he doesn't take risks so if garner stays he won't get played.
I'm sure he could do at least a well as any of the others but ole won't give him the chance this season. A good loan will see him learn and develop more.

8.) 10 Aug 2021
10 Aug 2021 01:58:17
I think we should stop assuming that Garner is actually as talented as this site makes him out to be.

9.) 10 Aug 2021
10 Aug 2021 08:42:59
Mumbles, I agree we definitely need to thin the squad out.

It's just annoying that we have somehow managed to have a composition of midfielders that don't seem to gel or work well together. We have two defensive No.8's in Fred and McTominay, two offensive No.8/ No.10's in Pogba and Donny and one true No.6 in Matic.

For most teams the No.6 is often the most important (and underrated) player. They knit the whole team together and set the tempo. They are the extra body in defence, and the starting point of most attacks.

Unless we have a player good enough to do that job every game then we will struggle to control the midfield.

Eric, I have high hopes for Garner but in truth I don't think he is quite ready. We need someone who could be ready to play 25-30 games a season at least on a rotation basis with Matic. Or someone who can come in and play 40-50 games as clear first choice.

Sadly I don't see Garner as being ready for that just yet. In an ideal world I'd see Pogba leave this summer, whether we get any of his transfer fee is irrelevant now I feel. We just need an end to the circus so we can focus on the players who want to be here and are a part of our future. I'd then bring in Neves and loan out Garner.

We'd then have Neves as first choice, with Matic as his back up. Then alongside him you pick one of McTominay, Fred or Donny depending on whether you want a more defensive or more offensive player in the side.

Then next summer Garner comes back from his loan ready to play at the level we need on a more consistent basis and he replaces Matic in the squad and fights it out with Neves as the starting No.6.

10.) 10 Aug 2021
10 Aug 2021 09:19:23
What has happened to the maxim - if they are good enough they are old enough. The only way to find out about some of these players is to give them a run in the first team. Garner deserves his chance in the First team as does Shola Shoretire. If we don't bring through some of these talented players we will arrest their development and they will then never be good enough. We have a big enough squad to allow for this to happen.

11.) 10 Aug 2021
10 Aug 2021 10:24:45
Motz11, That's the thing, having the potential to be good enough and currently being good enough are different things and being able to judge the difference and when they are good enough is a tough skill.

Ultimately these lads need game time at a higher level than the under 23's can offer. They need 20-30 games at a professional standard.

Are they ready for that in the EPL at the sharp end for a team that most fans expect to be winning things?

Some youngsters are like Giggs or Rashford or Greenwood and obviously ready at a young age for the first team at the highest level. Others are maybe like Beckham and need a loan to bridge the gap. Every player develops at a different pace and needs different things. There is no one size fits all method that will work for them all. The pathway does not necessarily correlate to the players ability. Just because one needs a loan and the other can jump straight into the first team, that doesn't mean the one who needs a loan will not reach the heights of the other.

Januzaj and Macheda went straight into the first team and ultimately didn't make it at the highest level.

Garner needs games every week, with Matic, Fred, McTominay, Pogba and Donny ahead of him he is unlikely to get the minutes he needs right now. So a loan makes sense.

Shoretire is a different matter, while a loan might be beneficial for his development as a player, he is still just 17 and can't go on loan until he is 18 (in February) at the earliest. Which for his personal development probably makes sense. You have to appreciate that these players are still in many cases still kids, they have a lot of growing up to do and in many cases an education to finish.


Greenwood will have made his debut and played several times for United while studying for his A-Levels.

12.) 10 Aug 2021
10 Aug 2021 11:11:05
Hannibal should be getting more game time this season. He's the most talented midfielder out of all of them.

13.) 10 Aug 2021
10 Aug 2021 13:58:05
Hannibal's issue is he plays best in the No.10 role currently. He might drop back to an offensive No.8 in a few years, but currently I think you want to see him play with a little more freedom while he adapts to professional football.

The issue with that is he has Bruno ahead of him, along with Mata, Donny, Lingard and possibly Sancho if Bruno was out.