26 Apr 2017 22:06:09
Seriously, all these reports every season of a handful players leaving. Not just Man U but any top team. How often does this happen? 3-4 in, the same out for continuity. Rooney, Young, maybe Blind or Carrick out, and if something ridiculous is on the table, DDG out. No-one else.

1.) 29 Apr 2017
29 Apr 2017 11:43:53
Jose needs to build a team that can challenge immediately but have medium-longer term crack at Champs League, i. e. winning it at least twice overly the likely 7 to 10 year period he sees himself here. I think he is 53 now and has said previously he would love to be Portugal national coach as his final managerial post. I think and hope this is Jose's last club manager role. The days of Ferguson like characters (with obvious exception of Wenger) staying 20 years anywhere are long gone.

So players wise I think we are looking to build a core of 24-27yo players ideally. Players who are fully developed, fully proven and class reinforcements who can walk into the first team.

With De Gea seemingly gone a world class keeper is a must. I think we will be knocking on Tottenham's door for Lloris or go for Jan Oblak at Athletico.

Defence wise there is only Bailly who is a shue-in first team for me with Valencia a great RB back-up (only given age) and Blind a versatile CB/ FB cover. There were reports back in Jan that a deal for Lindelof the Benfica CB was done and dusted but gone quiet there. Alderweireld is a must if rumours of a buy-out clause of £25m are true. I do think prising any players from Tottenham will be very difficult though. They are clearly the emerging team to beat and if they can keep their squad together and bulk their squad up a little they are definite contenders next year.

Midfield - a Carrick replacement a must. Pogba he will look to build a team around logically though interestingly where do folk think his best position actually is? Herrera has been immense at times and proved via Chelsea the occasionally man to man job that may be required he is absolutely perfect for. Fellaini I appreciate remains a head scratcher for all of us but he is the tall physical player Jose likes so don't see him going.

Forwards:
Mkhitaryan needs to improve for me- either sublimely class or looks to go missing a bit. The younger pacier forwards such as Rashford, Martial and Lingard will all be safe but only see Rashford as a regular first X1 tbh. Ibra and Rooney both gone already. Mata I think could still do a job for us but likely he won't get game time he wants.

I think squad wise we are looking as a minimum at:
1 x GK
2 x FB
2 x CB
1 x DM
1 x CF
1 x CF / Winger

So appreciate that's 8 players in but I see following all going out:
De Gea (sadly)
Jones (too crocked)
Smalling (too not good enough)
Young (too old)
Ibra (possibly retired now)
Rooney (retired about 3 year back lol)

Those on the possible list to go:
Darmian
Shaw
Mata


I do think this is the summer we will see the Jose revolution. He inherited a squad he's not convinced by and had a year to suss them all out. Rooney he sussed in 6 games in fairness to him. Jose knows Chelsea will go again in the market, Spurs already are contenders and City have a major re-build to. let's not underestimate the size of the task to make us into League winning and Champs League challenging regulars.

And if you don't believe that then ask yourself this question:
From our current squad, barring De Gea, who would walk into any premiership team? who would walk into any team in Europe?