27 May 2026 07:21:06
So, it seems as if Ederson (£35m) and Mateus Fernandes (£55m) will be two of our midfield signings, but who will be the big one to finish off our new quartet with Mainoo?
Anderson: the 'plug in and go' option. PL ready and will only get better. Does the dirty work AND the creative work. Him and Mainoo would have to work out a defined way of dovetailing between 6 and 8, though. Ideally, both are 8s.
Tchouameni: the only physical beast mentioned. Casemiro's work from set pieces will be sorely missed and Tchouameni is the only one likely to help replace that to some extent. Also will sit as the 6, allowing Mainoo to express himself the most.
Tonali: my least favourite option. Yes he's physical and covers ground, but I have serious concerns about his attitude and have a feeling he'd be pushing for a move away in a year or so. Avoid.
Baleba: the one I think will happen. In fact, I think a deal may already be drafted. So much potential, both defensively and when driving with the ball, but his decision making needs drastic improvement. I also worry about him aerially. If it is him or Anderson coming in then Maguire and Sesko will be our only physical units in both boxes.
Wishlist in order:
1. Anderson
2. Tchouameni
3. Baleba
4. Tonali
Likelihood in order:
1. Baleba
2. Tonali
3. Anderson
4. Tchouameni
Who would you all go for and why?
27 May 2026 08:50:49
You do know Anderson lost possession on average 17 times per game last season. Shocking stat. His decision making is a lot worse than Balebas in that regard.
Tonali is the best player on that list imo.
27 May 2026 09:31:42
Ken, I'm surprised you say that. I'm not convinced by Tonali. He seems really good at times, but Newcastle seem to exhibit so little control even with him and Guimaeres. Something just doesn't add up. When I see him, I see very little short pass, controlled execution. That might be how Newcastle play, but it's a concern for me.
27 May 2026 10:40:51
I agree with Ken, Tonali is top of that pile. I think Anderson will become the better player, but, for the here and now, that's my preference. Anderson is probably second, Tchoumani, then Baleba.
Baleba is low down purely due to the season he has had. Statistically he is probably the best at actually breaking up play, which is what we lose with Casemiro departing.
27 May 2026 11:33:41
The one thing I'm extremely happy with is that United have clearly decided on their targets and are moving to make them a reality.
Years have gone by, and Casemiro is a perfect example of this, where we have panic-bought when maybe our targets were not attainable. Sometimes I'm not sure that the club really knew that they weren't attainable, and it led to us panicking and overspending.
What I'm seeing and feeling is that the club are calm; they have their targets, what fits the club both on the field and off it, and are moving to those targets.
So, however we rank the above players, imo all are upgrades on what we have, and if we keep building and moving towards a more solid squad, it will make Michael Carrick's job easier. It also means, in years moving forward, we will be able to hone in on single, big-money targets.
Right now, there are still many gaps to fill, but I think the club proved last season that they are capable of doing it in a very sensible way.
27 May 2026 12:01:28
I agree, Downsie, in that I think Baleba will be the one and I think he would be a much better player than this season showed.
27 May 2026 12:50:29
Anderson is the best option.
27 May 2026 14:20:44
I would have Bruno G & Tonali, then an experienced CB with pace, and an experienced starting striker with pace, plus we seriously need another GK who is able to push Lammens for a starting place.
Anything more than that would be unbelievable.
No way we can go into the season with 1 inexperienced striker, 1 goalkeeper and poor CBs if we only buy midfielders.