Playing football manager a bit and being semi-realistic at the same time this team could be possible for next season perhaps:
DDG
Meunier (£30m?)
Alderweireld (£25m)
Smalling/Lindelof
Shaw
Rabiot (Free)
McTominey/Fred/Herrera/Pereira
Pogba
Rashford (on the right but coming inside like Mata does to support the striker)
Griezmann (£100m?)
Martial
Four players in and that first XI looks much better with a roughly £155m spend by my estimates (could be way out though!)
Couple that with some outgoings bringing in a few million and we could still have money, if the £200m reports are true, to sign someone else for big money.
We do need to be patient though and let it take its course. Hindsight is a great thing of course but perhaps we wouldn't be any worse off now had we given the job to Giggs in 2013? We certainly wouldn't have seen such dull football I'm sure.
Barca played as a unit where as work rate aside, oles best performances have been down to good individual performances. Man u need a real midfield and defensive general to unify the defence and midfield so they play as a collective In my opinion.
It definitely does, look at RVP for us and Arsenal. I’m unsure on Greizmann really, he’s a quality player but I’m not sure where he’d fit in and whether he’d want a move anyway.
We do need more, and better, passers and dribblers in the team. Not just to have a positive impact on results but also to bring more excitement to our games.
I think this just showed how much work needs doing on your squad, you went on a great run of form under ole for a while and it led some fans to think the squad was only a few additions away from competing. In reality there’s a lot of aging players who need replacing, a lot of not good enough players that need replacing, and some players who want out who may need replacing.
Hopefully this will be a good lesson for the united board and they will realise the task at hand over the next few years, if they didn’t already know.
comment by Ed The King Woodward (U10026)
posted 2 minutes ago
It definitely does, look at RVP for us and Arsenal. I’m unsure on Greizmann really, he’s a quality player but I’m not sure where he’d fit in and whether he’d want a move anyway.
We do need more, and better, passers and dribblers in the team. Not just to have a positive impact on results but also to bring more excitement to our games.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I was thinking RVP as well. What an impact in his first season. We don't have such a reliable goalscorer any more to depend on sadly.
Regarding Griezmann I'd say he is a reliable scorer but, as you say, he may not want to come. Perhaps a cheeky bid for Diego Costa then?
I don't watch enough world football to know who exactly can be these exciting players but plenty here do so I'm sure they can come forward with suggestions. I do think they need to be quite seasoned pros though in the mid 20s bracket that can hopefully hit the ground running.
Costa’s worse than Lukaku nowadays.
I don’t watch as much European football nowadays, so I’m not as well versed beyond the obvious talents that we all know.
I think getting a balance between some young players, mid 20’s and maybe an experienced player in their lte 20’s could be the way to go in the summer. A lot depends on what sort of strategy we want to take for not just next season but the year or two after as well. Getting CL could have an impact on who comes and goes, despite our riches.
I think Griezmann does want out again but still thinks Barca is a realistic option for him
Is he? I've not seem him play for a while so can't comment.
In any case it's easy for me to state the obvious. Let's hope our scouting network can do their job and help us get in the players we need.
If it wasn't for the CL money and the Thursday nights I don't think Europa football would be too much of a bad thing next season if it meant we took a sensible approach to transfers and used the tournament as a place for the youngsters and fringe players to play. Such is the money in it now though, and the want for us to see the best players against United, then it isn't an option really.
I’m still not sold on Griezmann, not sure what it is about him but i don’t think he’s top bracket.
He’s scored four league goals since he’s been back at Atleti. Morata has managed that since he joined them on loan.
Yeah I agree with that, I actually don’t mind the Europa. But still want to see us in the CL, even if we can’t win it. It’s a great competition.
Greizmann is definitely top bracket, I just don’t think he’s a particularly entertaining player to watch which is what gives a different impression of his talents. He’s been one of the top attackers in world football for many years, in a defensive team no less.
Yeah could be that Daz, i don’t watch loads of him. When i have i haven’t been super impressed but maybe it is just because he’s not entertaining.
Measured, sensible and balanced...
WTF DO YOU THINK YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT?! WE NEED THIRTY NEW WORLD CLASS PLAYERS IF WE'RE GOING TO AVOID RELEGATION NEXT SEASON!
Ah well it's another day today!
United not good enough at the moment but if we can grow from a humbling at the Nou Camp like we did in 1994 then great.
If it has to be Europa next season then so be it. As we've won it to complete the set we may not have to tske it as seriously as we did in 2017 as I'm hoping for a better shot at things in the league.
Still, not all doom and gloom. Let's try and finish the season well. Big game v Everton on Sunday. If we go into it like we started last night then we have an excellent chance to get 3 points.
comment by Diafol Coch 77 (U2462)
posted 42 minutes ago
Ah well it's another day today!
United not good enough at the moment but if we can grow from a humbling at the Nou Camp like we did in 1994 then great.
If it has to be Europa next season then so be it. As we've won it to complete the set we may not have to tske it as seriously as we did in 2017 as I'm hoping for a better shot at things in the league.
Still, not all doom and gloom. Let's try and finish the season well. Big game v Everton on Sunday. If we go into it like we started last night then we have an excellent chance to get 3 points.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Your poor name
I think we may have to take a step back to go forward. Obviously would prefer to be in the CL, but there will be less pressure to go out and win the EL so I'd expect we won't take it as seriously as we would the CL. Use it as at least 6 games to blood some young lads and move forward.
I'd expect we'll see as many as 8 players maybe more leave this summer and a good chunk of those will be replaced by the likes of Chong, Gomes, Greenwood, Garner and Tuanzebe I think will get a chance. We desperately need a RB and a top class CB, (Wan Bissaka and Alderweireld??). A Carrick type holding midfielder is needed, Matic is not consistent enough, and a replacement for Herrera and a RW. That's possibly 5 players to come in with the rumoured budget of £200m it probably won't all happen in this window. Patience is needed.
comment by Irishred (U2539)
posted 40 minutes ago
comment by Diafol Coch 77 (U2462)
posted 42 minutes ago
Ah well it's another day today!
United not good enough at the moment but if we can grow from a humbling at the Nou Camp like we did in 1994 then great.
If it has to be Europa next season then so be it. As we've won it to complete the set we may not have to tske it as seriously as we did in 2017 as I'm hoping for a better shot at things in the league.
Still, not all doom and gloom. Let's try and finish the season well. Big game v Everton on Sunday. If we go into it like we started last night then we have an excellent chance to get 3 points.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Your poor name
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Diafol Better
One thing I've learned over years of watching football is that the margins are often finer than they appear. In 2005 we were miles off. In 2006 we were the best team in the league, thanks mainly to organic improvement in our squad. Sometimes the margins are psychological (see the shift in performance when OGS took over). Often they are a mixture of belief and telling advantages in quality in a certain area or two. We could be a long way away, or maybe a few good decisions from competing at the top again.
--------------------------------------------
I can see where you're coming from there RR but that side in 05/06 had a number of advantages over this one.
I'm afraid I think it's going to take some serious nous and more than just a few tweaks to get this squad competing at the highest level again.
Sign in if you want to comment
Not going to go OTT
Page 2 of 2
posted on 16/4/19
Playing football manager a bit and being semi-realistic at the same time this team could be possible for next season perhaps:
DDG
Meunier (£30m?)
Alderweireld (£25m)
Smalling/Lindelof
Shaw
Rabiot (Free)
McTominey/Fred/Herrera/Pereira
Pogba
Rashford (on the right but coming inside like Mata does to support the striker)
Griezmann (£100m?)
Martial
Four players in and that first XI looks much better with a roughly £155m spend by my estimates (could be way out though!)
Couple that with some outgoings bringing in a few million and we could still have money, if the £200m reports are true, to sign someone else for big money.
We do need to be patient though and let it take its course. Hindsight is a great thing of course but perhaps we wouldn't be any worse off now had we given the job to Giggs in 2013? We certainly wouldn't have seen such dull football I'm sure.
posted on 16/4/19
Barca played as a unit where as work rate aside, oles best performances have been down to good individual performances. Man u need a real midfield and defensive general to unify the defence and midfield so they play as a collective In my opinion.
posted on 16/4/19
It definitely does, look at RVP for us and Arsenal. I’m unsure on Greizmann really, he’s a quality player but I’m not sure where he’d fit in and whether he’d want a move anyway.
We do need more, and better, passers and dribblers in the team. Not just to have a positive impact on results but also to bring more excitement to our games.
posted on 16/4/19
I think this just showed how much work needs doing on your squad, you went on a great run of form under ole for a while and it led some fans to think the squad was only a few additions away from competing. In reality there’s a lot of aging players who need replacing, a lot of not good enough players that need replacing, and some players who want out who may need replacing.
Hopefully this will be a good lesson for the united board and they will realise the task at hand over the next few years, if they didn’t already know.
posted on 16/4/19
comment by Ed The King Woodward (U10026)
posted 2 minutes ago
It definitely does, look at RVP for us and Arsenal. I’m unsure on Greizmann really, he’s a quality player but I’m not sure where he’d fit in and whether he’d want a move anyway.
We do need more, and better, passers and dribblers in the team. Not just to have a positive impact on results but also to bring more excitement to our games.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I was thinking RVP as well. What an impact in his first season. We don't have such a reliable goalscorer any more to depend on sadly.
Regarding Griezmann I'd say he is a reliable scorer but, as you say, he may not want to come. Perhaps a cheeky bid for Diego Costa then?
I don't watch enough world football to know who exactly can be these exciting players but plenty here do so I'm sure they can come forward with suggestions. I do think they need to be quite seasoned pros though in the mid 20s bracket that can hopefully hit the ground running.
posted on 16/4/19
Costa’s worse than Lukaku nowadays.
I don’t watch as much European football nowadays, so I’m not as well versed beyond the obvious talents that we all know.
I think getting a balance between some young players, mid 20’s and maybe an experienced player in their lte 20’s could be the way to go in the summer. A lot depends on what sort of strategy we want to take for not just next season but the year or two after as well. Getting CL could have an impact on who comes and goes, despite our riches.
posted on 16/4/19
I think Griezmann does want out again but still thinks Barca is a realistic option for him
posted on 16/4/19
Is he? I've not seem him play for a while so can't comment.
In any case it's easy for me to state the obvious. Let's hope our scouting network can do their job and help us get in the players we need.
If it wasn't for the CL money and the Thursday nights I don't think Europa football would be too much of a bad thing next season if it meant we took a sensible approach to transfers and used the tournament as a place for the youngsters and fringe players to play. Such is the money in it now though, and the want for us to see the best players against United, then it isn't an option really.
posted on 16/4/19
I’m still not sold on Griezmann, not sure what it is about him but i don’t think he’s top bracket.
posted on 16/4/19
He’s scored four league goals since he’s been back at Atleti. Morata has managed that since he joined them on loan.
Yeah I agree with that, I actually don’t mind the Europa. But still want to see us in the CL, even if we can’t win it. It’s a great competition.
posted on 16/4/19
Greizmann is definitely top bracket, I just don’t think he’s a particularly entertaining player to watch which is what gives a different impression of his talents. He’s been one of the top attackers in world football for many years, in a defensive team no less.
posted on 17/4/19
Yeah could be that Daz, i don’t watch loads of him. When i have i haven’t been super impressed but maybe it is just because he’s not entertaining.
posted on 17/4/19
Measured, sensible and balanced...
WTF DO YOU THINK YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT?! WE NEED THIRTY NEW WORLD CLASS PLAYERS IF WE'RE GOING TO AVOID RELEGATION NEXT SEASON!
posted on 17/4/19
Ah well it's another day today!
United not good enough at the moment but if we can grow from a humbling at the Nou Camp like we did in 1994 then great.
If it has to be Europa next season then so be it. As we've won it to complete the set we may not have to tske it as seriously as we did in 2017 as I'm hoping for a better shot at things in the league.
Still, not all doom and gloom. Let's try and finish the season well. Big game v Everton on Sunday. If we go into it like we started last night then we have an excellent chance to get 3 points.
posted on 17/4/19
comment by Diafol Coch 77 (U2462)
posted 42 minutes ago
Ah well it's another day today!
United not good enough at the moment but if we can grow from a humbling at the Nou Camp like we did in 1994 then great.
If it has to be Europa next season then so be it. As we've won it to complete the set we may not have to tske it as seriously as we did in 2017 as I'm hoping for a better shot at things in the league.
Still, not all doom and gloom. Let's try and finish the season well. Big game v Everton on Sunday. If we go into it like we started last night then we have an excellent chance to get 3 points.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Your poor name
posted on 17/4/19
I think we may have to take a step back to go forward. Obviously would prefer to be in the CL, but there will be less pressure to go out and win the EL so I'd expect we won't take it as seriously as we would the CL. Use it as at least 6 games to blood some young lads and move forward.
I'd expect we'll see as many as 8 players maybe more leave this summer and a good chunk of those will be replaced by the likes of Chong, Gomes, Greenwood, Garner and Tuanzebe I think will get a chance. We desperately need a RB and a top class CB, (Wan Bissaka and Alderweireld??). A Carrick type holding midfielder is needed, Matic is not consistent enough, and a replacement for Herrera and a RW. That's possibly 5 players to come in with the rumoured budget of £200m it probably won't all happen in this window. Patience is needed.
posted on 17/4/19
comment by Irishred (U2539)
posted 40 minutes ago
comment by Diafol Coch 77 (U2462)
posted 42 minutes ago
Ah well it's another day today!
United not good enough at the moment but if we can grow from a humbling at the Nou Camp like we did in 1994 then great.
If it has to be Europa next season then so be it. As we've won it to complete the set we may not have to tske it as seriously as we did in 2017 as I'm hoping for a better shot at things in the league.
Still, not all doom and gloom. Let's try and finish the season well. Big game v Everton on Sunday. If we go into it like we started last night then we have an excellent chance to get 3 points.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Your poor name
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Diafol Better
posted on 17/4/19
One thing I've learned over years of watching football is that the margins are often finer than they appear. In 2005 we were miles off. In 2006 we were the best team in the league, thanks mainly to organic improvement in our squad. Sometimes the margins are psychological (see the shift in performance when OGS took over). Often they are a mixture of belief and telling advantages in quality in a certain area or two. We could be a long way away, or maybe a few good decisions from competing at the top again.
--------------------------------------------
I can see where you're coming from there RR but that side in 05/06 had a number of advantages over this one.
I'm afraid I think it's going to take some serious nous and more than just a few tweaks to get this squad competing at the highest level again.
Page 2 of 2