Hmm everything I’ve read is to the contrary. Luis Alberto is the attacking midfielder in that team. He’s the one who’s attacking ability in the final third the team is built around, as his numbers have shown the last two seasons. SMS’s numbers have fallen the last two seasons because he’s been playing as a cm.

comment by Joe The King Exotic (U10026)
posted 1 hour, 5 minutes ago
But it’s not really a luxury we can afford given all the other areas in the first team that need strengthening.

We need a bloody left back as well. Shaw and Williams aren’t good enough to be starting regularly for a team that aspires to reach the top.
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I think left back is one of those positions we can leave for at least one more season.

Williams has shown promise and will likely get better. Shaw was looking much sharper before this lay off but not sure the break will do him any favours whatsoever.

A bit like Bailly and Tuanzebe I’d give them one more season.

For me it’s more of an issue than depth on the left and attacking mid. Shaw cannot be relied upon to stay fit, and even then he’s not that good when he is fit. Williams has a long way to go to be starting quality for United. Given AWB has right back nailed down, and offers fack all going forward, it’s paramount that we bring in a left back that can offer a consistent threat going forward.

comment by Joe The King Exotic (U10026)
posted 2 minutes ago
For me it’s more of an issue than depth on the left and attacking mid. Shaw cannot be relied upon to stay fit, and even then he’s not that good when he is fit. Williams has a long way to go to be starting quality for United. Given AWB has right back nailed down, and offers fack all going forward, it’s paramount that we bring in a left back that can offer a consistent threat going forward.
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Fair. AWB looks like he’s improving going forward to be fair. Hard to see an attainable left back out there that would improve us though and if we do bring another one in it surely means selling Shaw or loaning out Williams.

Can’t see it happening this summer.

Hmm everything I’ve read is to the contrary. Luis Alberto is the attacking midfielder in that team. He’s the one who’s attacking ability in the final third the team is built around, as his numbers have shown the last two seasons. SMS’s numbers have fallen the last two seasons because he’s been playing as a cm.

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You'd know more than me tbf but I think the system he plays in still helps quite a bit and allows him freedom to a certain extent, even if it's not as much as he was once afforded but it's more freedom than he'd be allowed playing for us I think.

I'd need to see him more but I'd read that he's still better suited to playing in and around the final third which gives him the opportunity to shoot, drift in between the lines, make runs and take up space in dangerous areas and put pressure on defenders with his size and physicality.

Hard to see an attainable left back out there that would improve us though and if we do bring another one in it surely means selling Shaw or loaning out Williams.

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Alex Telles looks like he'll move this summer and he's miles better than anything we have at full-back, certainly in the final third.

I’d flog Shaw and try and bring in Digne from Everton. Having a full back that is good going forward would make such a difference to out team, we haven’t had one on either side for a very long time.

TRS, I can only go on what I’ve read and some stats. The general opinion seems to be that he’s starting deep and using his passing and dribbling to progress the ball to the forwards. Lucas Leiva and the back 3/5 obviously provide additional protection, but he seems to be a lot more disciplined with his positioning and improved his defensive attributes to also provide protection for the defence.

In that regard, I can understand why rosso would be keen on him as he seems to now be the well rounded central midfielder that Pogba probably should have been.

That said, given his price tag it may be one we’ll steer clear of given we’ll be after Sancho. Central midfield is a tough market right now. I hope we’ll be looking at Partey it Pogba leaves, but if he stays I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t even sign one - though Bellingham seems to be an option.

TRS, I can only go on what I’ve read and some stats. The general opinion seems to be that he’s starting deep and using his passing and dribbling to progress the ball to the forwards. Lucas Leiva and the back 3/5 obviously provide additional protection, but he seems to be a lot more disciplined with his positioning and improved his defensive attributes to also provide protection for the defence.

In that regard, I can understand why rosso would be keen on him as he seems to now be the well rounded central midfielder that Pogba probably should have been.

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I'd still have my doubts about using him in a more withdrawn role in a different setup and spending a huge amount of money in the process. If Ole was willing to adapt and Pogba was to leave then I'd be more open to the possibility.

I've said to you before but I think Amadou Diawara or somebody of a similar skillset would give us better balance in midfield and would be a more worthwhile acquisition.

He'd be my choice if we were shopping in Serie A.

I suspect what you may want in midfield and what the club do are very different, however. It’s been that way for over a decade.

Sadly.

As I said yesterday, we like improving the midfield without actually improving it. We seem slightly obsessed by attacking midfielders at the moment.

We got Bruno in January which was brilliant so now the focus should surely be on players who can shield the back four and/or help build attacks/transition the ball from deep.

Grealish is a bench player for any other elite club.

I think Fred’s transformation, McTominay’s progress and Matic having a purple patch has probably convinced them that we can make do for a season. Then there’s Pogba.

If we do sign Grealish it’s probably an opportunist signing more than anything.

comment by Kung Fu Cantona 🙏🏼 🇵🇸 (U18082)
posted 24 minutes ago
Grealish is a bench player for any other elite club.
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Not strictly true when you look at the midfielders starting for some of the biggest clubs around right now.

comment by Joe The King Exotic (U10026)
posted 1 hour, 14 minutes ago
TRS, I can only go on what I’ve read and some stats. The general opinion seems to be that he’s starting deep and using his passing and dribbling to progress the ball to the forwards. Lucas Leiva and the back 3/5 obviously provide additional protection, but he seems to be a lot more disciplined with his positioning and improved his defensive attributes to also provide protection for the defence.

In that regard, I can understand why rosso would be keen on him as he seems to now be the well rounded central midfielder that Pogba probably should have been.

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Yep; that’s a pretty decent summary.

He’s got better positional awareness and discipline, and better mobility than Pogba (who’s great when he’s up to speed, but no use harrying over the halfway line).

Basically, he’s a very good asset box-to-box, and would provide a third option - and I’d expect to see him bed in as the most proficient of the three - alongside McT and Fred. Matic as security, Garner to come through, cash in on Pogba, who’d pay for SMS (or Partey/whoever else) and change.

If we’re sticking with Ole, it just doesn’t make sense to hold on to Pogba to me. It’s like living in rural Scotland and having a Bentley, when you could cash it in, buy a top of the range Hummer, and still pocket a massive wadge in change.

I think Fred’s transformation, McTominay’s progress and Matic having a purple patch has probably convinced them that we can make do for a season. Then there’s Pogba.

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When Fred and McTominay get injured in December and Matic's form falls off a cliff again, we'll panic in January again or whenever the mid-season transfer window falls.

If Pogba stays we have him, Matic, Fred, McTominay and Garner or Bruno capable of filling in. I won’t be surprised if the club consider that enough. Though it does seem we want Bellingham, but whether that’s to bring into the first team or send on loan I don’t know.

I think we’ll be disappointed yet again when it comes to central midfield.

Fernandes Fred Pogba

Sancho Martial Rashford

Second string

Pereira Matic McTominay

Greenwood Ighalo James

We clearly need a very good addition in CM and up front.

Though it does seem we want Bellingham, but whether that’s to bring into the first team or send on loan I don’t know.

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From what I've read, it seems like he's Dortmund bound. It's at an advanced stage apparently. They're his first choice.

Oh right. I’ve read conflicting reports. We’re obviously interested as he was at the training ground. Whether we have an alternative, or it’s just an opportunist signing as well, will be interesting to see.

comment by Joe The King Exotic (U10026)
posted 48 minutes ago
If Pogba stays we have him, Matic, Fred, McTominay and Garner or Bruno capable of filling in. I won’t be surprised if the club consider that enough. Though it does seem we want Bellingham, but whether that’s to bring into the first team or send on loan I don’t know.

I think we’ll be disappointed yet again when it comes to central midfield.
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*think*

It’s the one tradition of SAF’s that the club is desperate to hang onto.

The summertime CM WUM window.

The summertime CM WUM window.

Would not be good to lose Pogba whoever comes in.

Rather see the lightweights like martial & rashford go before even considering letting Pogba go.

And if the dreadful lingard is still there and pogba goes then the club will be making it obvious that they lack any serious ambition .... .......