29 Jul 2016 09:48:31
As we have seen time and time again, Mr Mourinho likes working with a fairly tight squad of around 24-25 players so I now expect the thinning out process to begin.

Schweinsteiger has been linked with PSG so will see that he is in line for another big pay today. He has been nothing short of useless since his arrival and I'm very pleased we kept Carrick over him. There are rumours that Keane, Blackett and McNair will be sold which is no shame if you ask me. Wilson, Januzaj, Pereira and Tuanzabe will also be loaned out according to reports which I think (particularly for Pereira, Januzaj and Tuanzebe) is crucial for their development as U21 football will do them no more favours.


Of the core squad I can also envisage Rojo as being the final casualty. Hopefully replaced by another centre back whilst Blind can cover the left back, centre back and central midfield positions. Talks of Fabinho have gone quiet, but I suspect interest is still there. So Fabinho and another centre back I think is on the hit list.

Who else do you think will come in and go guys?

{Ed004's Note - If we were going to sign a CB and/or RB there are a lot of players to get off the books. We already have too many midfielders and wingers. If one fullback comes in another will have to leave (probably CBJ - Darmain can cover lb) so would be Darmian, Valencia, Shaw and one other. If a CB is signed probably two will have to leave so options of Smalling, Jones, Bailly and another (last resort Carrick and Mensah as cover). Likes of Young, Januzaj/Lingard (one of out on loan), Perriera, Rojo, McNair, CBJ, Fellaini, Keane and potentially Blind will probably all go}

1.) 29 Jul 2016
29 Jul 2016 10:12:14
Why Valencia he is an awful right back why have we all forgotten that he is an average winger not a defender by any stretch of the imagination.

2.) 29 Jul 2016
29 Jul 2016 10:38:59
Cant see CBJ or perriera being sold most likely loaned.

3.) 29 Jul 2016
29 Jul 2016 12:19:41
Rojo bastian fellaini young will be sold at the very least.

4.) 29 Jul 2016
29 Jul 2016 11:23:47
Ed, I think we will see 9 departures - 5 sales and 4 loans:

Sales: McNair, Blackett, Schweinsteiger, Rojo, Keane

Loans: Januzaj, Pereira, Wilson and Tuanzebe.

I'd personally like to see Valencia move on with Fabinho and Darmian battling for the right back spot and Shaw/ CBJ at left back with Blind or TFM being the utility man. Seeing TFM being loaded out would be no surprise as we don't need him and Blind with Blind currently being the more ready of the two.

Smalling, Bailly and Jones is not enough in my opinion. We could use one more for sure as Blind is not a centre back by any means and struggles against powerful opposition - something that we will see plenty of next season with the likes of a resurgent Costs and Batshuayi. It's a shame Arsenal seem to be in the drivers seat for Mustafi as he would be perfect. Manolas is not for sale and Bonucci is a pipe dream. We will have to see what happens here - if nothing does then we may see Tuanzebe stay. Although at Chelsea Jose used just three centre backs in Terry, Cahill and Zouma but did have Ivanovic as a covering option.

In midfield we have Schneiderlin, Carrick of Blind for the deeper role and Pogba or Herrera for the more advanced position. That to me is more than adequate unless Mourinho doesn't fancy Herrera or Schneiderlin - then we could see some movement.

Other than that we are pretty strong everywhere else with two options for each forward position: Martial/ Memphis, Mkhitaryan/ Lingard, Rooney/ Mata, Ibrahimovic/ Rashford. Young is another type of option that is more defensive, may or may not be involved.

{Ed004's Note - Firstly, I don't want to see Schweinsteiger leave as I think he has a lot to offer. Also I wouldn't sell Valencia - he is a great squad player and a good player to have in the squad. Though it'll be one of our weaker positions next season unless Darmian improves. I think we will try for a CB but I'm not sure who is good enough that is available. In midfield and attacking positions I don't think we need to sign anymore players.}