04 Sep 2016 14:26:30
Just been thinking over our squad, with such a good transfer window we've just had, the first 11 needed some major surgery after the last couple of seasons and no doubt we got that this summer. Every one of the 4 players signed look a significant improvement on the first team as apposed to bulking up the squad. When you look at the side now, with the likes of De Gea, Shaw, Bailly, Pogba, Hererra, Miki, Mata, Martial, Ibra, Rashford, being very good players, with Smalling, Blind, Felaini, Lingard, Valencia all competent, and youngsters such as TFM to come through, we have a very strong looking squad. My point being, that I don't think over the next 2/ 3 years, if we keep hold of these players, we will need to be that active in the market. Obviously you need to keep the squad fresh and competitive, but I don't really see we will need to make 4/ 5 signings a window as we have done the last couple of years. I think a RB, another CB to partner Bailly, and a CM to partner Pogba will be the long term targets, plus with Ibra only being here for 2 years and Rooney similar, probably a forward to add to Rashford and Martial. Not major surgery though. We may see a move for one or two real case players as apposed to 3 or 4 in the next few windows. It wouldn't surprise me if we tried for someone like Bale or Greizzman at some point in the next 18 months. I think a CB should be the priority signing next summer. But we definatly have a much more competitive, athletic, pacy side than we have in recent years and I'm excited how far they can go this season. I fully expect to challenge for the title with the team we now have.
{Ed004's Note - I think we will probably see 3/4 players coming in next season and then that will be the team complete. After that we might see 1/2 first team players bought and youngsters to add to the squad. Next season we will need to replace Rooney (I'm hoping we go for Griezmann but Bale would be just as good a signing), possibly sign a midfielder to partner Pogba if none of Schneiderlin (hoping he does), Herrera, Mensah or Fellaini step it up. Then in defence me may need a RB if Darmian doesn't return to form or Mensah doesn't excel (I really rate Valencia but he is getting old and we may need to start planning to phase him out) and then CB if Smalling/Blind don't impress Mourinho enough. There will be quite a few left still to move on like Rooney, Young etc. We are in a much stronger position though with some excellent attacking and defensive talents. I expect Ibrahimovic to stay out his 2 year contract and be replaced by Rashford or Martial}
04 Sep 2016 14:56:55
Wud love to see tfm and Pogba in midfield.
04 Sep 2016 14:36:34
You forgot Rooney ðŸ˜.
04 Sep 2016 14:43:34
So your expecting incomings over the next few windows in the same positions I've stated ed. CB should be the priority. I think Valencia has been brilliant so far and if he keep up playing at the level he has started the season RB won't be a necessity, although age as you mentioned may play a part. I really like Hererra and hope he can establish himself in the first 11. As we say, over the next 2 or 3 years we may only need to add 3/ 4 players to be competitive in the latter stages of the CL. What a difference to 6 months ago eh.
{Ed004's Note - Yes I agree with you in the players we need to bring in. I'm hoping Herrera can break into the team but I can't see where? He's not a number 10 and Pogba will be a garunteed starter. We would have to change our formation to include him}
04 Sep 2016 15:27:24
We've needed a new spine for years, we finally got it.
04 Sep 2016 15:32:22
I think we're looking at Fabinho and Varane. Just like the papers are saying. Fabinho an obvious one, but Varane is someone Jose really likes and we could do with a new Rio type CB. Although I think Smalling and Bailly will be great this season.
04 Sep 2016 15:52:33
Verane, Bailly and Shaw, be some serious pace there wouldn't there. Haven't seen much of Fabinho to be honest. Is he good?
04 Sep 2016 16:06:05
Ed you think we have a chance with Greezman next year as Athletico are banned? .
{Ed004's Note - He has a buyout clause and is apparently a manutd fan so I would hope so}
04 Sep 2016 16:16:30
Nor have I, but he's tall which is something Mourinho looks in a fullback and something United have lacked in for what's seems like a decade!
{Ed004's Note - We certainly don't lack it anymore}
04 Sep 2016 16:40:35
Hmmm, that will be really great he comes our way as i think he is a top top player.
04 Sep 2016 16:47:58
Fabinho is excellent. He looks awkward when he runs as he is tall and I thin. He covers the ground quickly. He can beat a player going forward, he scores goals but best of all he can defend.
He is positionally aware as well. He played really well as a DM in the champions league against arsenal last year. Given he had never player there before he was excellent. Totally smothered Ozil and co.
I think he would be an excellent addition.
05 Sep 2016 11:26:08
I agree with some of what you have said but we will end up buying a Forward for sure. I think we will also buy a RB, CM given the fact that this is probably Carrick's last year. I also believe we will buy a CB and end up with balley, smalling, Blind as the 4.
I can see us selling quite a few players next summer after Jose has had a full season with the squad and knows what he exactly wants. We also need cover at Left back, when shaw is not available we are very short for answers there. I do realise quite a few can play there but the drop off is quite a bit.
I think we will buy 4 more players in the next 2 windows and sell as many as 6 or 7 next summer considering the fact that quite a few will come back from loans.
05 Sep 2016 13:40:57
Well a lot will be down to phasing out players. Rooney, Carrick, Bastian, Young, Valencia and Zlatan are all over 30 so will need replacing although some of that can be handled internally ie Rashford, TFM etc.
Then players like Herrera and Schneiderlein could be at risk or may want to move.