Just looking at the squads of the relegated teams, and I think there is an unusually high number of pretty good players in there. I would be surprised to see any of the following remain with their clubs in the Championship next season:
Max Aarons
Jamal Lewis
Emiliano Buendia
Todd Cantwell
Abdoulaye Doucore
Roberto Pereyra
Gerard Deulofeu
Ismaila Sarr
Nathan Ake
David Brooks
Josh King
Probably a few that i've missed too.
From a United point of view, not a single one of them gets into our first XI but there are one or two squad options worth considering I think.
Firstly the two Norwich full backs. I'm a fan of both but I really like the look of the left back, Jamal Lewis. A real modern young full back - technically sound, athletic and good going forward. Watching Williams these past couple of weeks, he's obviously a good player but I don't think it serves us well having a right-footed left back (these aren't the days of Irwin who always played with a genuine winger ahead of him). With Dalot looking likely to go I think we'd be well served moving Williams to the other side to give AWB a bit of competition, and having someone like Lewis as back up or even competition for Shaw.
The other option, again as a squad player, is Emi Buendia. I like Jack Grealish but Villa's great escape adds £10-20m onto his price tag. If that puts him out of our price range, I really think Buendia has been just as impressive this season. The stats speak for themselves - 4th in the league for both take-ons completed and chances created. A definite upgrade on Lingard and Pereira and a decent option when we want to give Bruno a break.
There'll be understandably be a bit of a stigma with some of our fans around taking players from Norwich, who were facking awful. I'd still go balls out for someone like Sancho, but I do genuinely think these could be smart buys at a time where financially, we may have to be a bit more sensible than usual.
Relegated teams
posted on 26/7/20
comment by The Process (U20671)
posted 42 minutes ago
I don’t think anyone should be afraid of buying players from relegated clubs.
Maguire and Robertson were part of a relegated back 4.
Gini Wijnaldum was bought from a relegated side.
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We once signed Roy Keane from a relegated team!
posted on 26/7/20
comment by Clockwork Red (U4892)
posted 32 minutes ago
comment by The Process (U20671)
posted 42 minutes ago
I don’t think anyone should be afraid of buying players from relegated clubs.
Maguire and Robertson were part of a relegated back 4.
Gini Wijnaldum was bought from a relegated side.
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We once signed Roy Keane from a relegated team!
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Good point
posted on 26/7/20
Sarr and Buendia, would take them in a heartbeat.
posted on 26/7/20
comment by -bloodred- (U1222)
posted 1 hour, 15 minutes ago
comment by The Process (U20671)
posted 31 seconds ago
I’d certainly take Todd Cantwell if we can’t get Grealish.
Another not mentioned is Ryan Fraser. He is countless now but got 14 PL assists last season.
Would take him on a short term deal and possibly send James on loan.
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Cantwell looks a decent PL player but I don't think he's good enough for us. Buendia is comfortably the better of the 2 I think.
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I'll admit I've not seen Norwich a huge amount but Buendia always seems to be more of a forward player than a midfielder? I guess you have Bruno further forward so he could be back up there.
Cantwell seems more of a box to box type. Personally I'd be far from disappointed if Liverpool brought him as a squad player. The guy is all energy and running (so would suit our midfield well) and looks like he takes care of the ball well.
posted on 26/7/20
comment by The Process (U20671)
posted 3 hours, 10 minutes ago
I don’t think anyone should be afraid of buying players from relegated clubs.
Maguire and Robertson were part of a relegated back 4.
Gini Wijnaldum was bought from a relegated side.
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Gary Cahill too if I remember bought from Bolton in January and they went on to get relegated. He went on to be a key part in our CL win that season
posted on 26/7/20
For United and their search for a winger there are actually quite a few good choices.
Buendia, Sarr, Cantwell, Deulofeu and Fraser.
Deulofeu I really do find talented. And he’s still only 26. He could easily be a top winger in the league if a club gets the best out of him.
Ryan Fraser I also really like. Dropped off this season on background of ? Beef with him and Howe. But for 18 months previously one of the cheap Chance creators in the PL and in Europe. He is basically Dan James but can actually play football
posted on 26/7/20
*chief chance creators
posted on 26/7/20
comment by Kunta Kante (U1641)
posted 15 minutes ago
For United and their search for a winger there are actually quite a few good choices.
Buendia, Sarr, Cantwell, Deulofeu and Fraser.
Deulofeu I really do find talented. And he’s still only 26. He could easily be a top winger in the league if a club gets the best out of him.
Ryan Fraser I also really like. Dropped off this season on background of ? Beef with him and Howe. But for 18 months previously one of the cheap Chance creators in the PL and in Europe. He is basically Dan James but can actually play football
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I quickly skimmed an article on that recently, the jist was along these lines: his contract was up at bournemouth and he refused to resign or take an odd deal to help bournemouth stay up, so they dropped him (can’t blame them). Which is a bit off from him if to be believed- I mean why not just stay a few games and try and help them? He will almost certainly be off, and would be very cheap because of that. He lacks James’s pace, but makes up for it in being considerably better at everything else.
posted on 27/7/20
Twelve months ago I would still have said Deulofeu.
Haven’t watched him so much this season, but he has bags of talent, can play across the supporting line, and has a good goalscoring record for Watford.
Would be a natural on-field replacement for Mata (albeit with a slightly different skill set), and much cheaper option than Grealish. Buendia similarly.
Villa didn’t stay up this season without Grealish, and won’t next season without him. They’ll be asking for silly money to part with him accordingly.
£60m would surely bag us Deulofeu and Buendia with change, and we’ve replaced and upgraded Mata and Lingard.
posted on 27/7/20
Wouldn't mind Deulofeu myself. A few of those in the OP's list would be good options to have around the squad at least. I know everyone wants Sancho, but we'll need more than one new player to sustain a good campaign next season, especially if we lose some.