the problem we have is the wages we pay, and especially in the current climate.

hopefully going forward these absurd contract extensions and wages will not be as bad ( although after Mata's im not too sure).

at the minute tbh im not even sure we are desperate for a CM, but that all depends on how ole lets the team play going forward.

i think the bigger concern is a CF next season as they are harder to come by

There’s zero chance of a DM as Pogba is staying and McT is now undroppable.

We don't need anyone. Now that Fred is scoring, he's shown he is the complete midfielder.

I don't think we'll see any more singings tbh. If some of the deadwood is moved on then maybe. But I don't think we'll see a CDM this window.

don't you have Matic, McT, and Fred

Once Pogba (probably) leaves next year then we’ll get another midfielder.

comment by Pun (U21588)
posted 3 minutes ago

Now that Fred is scoring, he's shown he is the complete midfielder.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
arguably we should be selling all our other midfielders, and just playing him in there on his own in a 4-1-5 formation

I don't think Pogba will go.
I'm very optimistic about the team, I think he's going to enjoy this season.
Ole seems to have learnt how to get the best out of the team and individuals.
We can have a really good season and I think, hope, that will persuade him he can win things here.

It’s looking unlikely. I think we’d hoped to have raised more funds on transfers.

Late move for Camavinga maybe. He’s out of contract next summer and Rennes may get desperate.

The problem is next season Pogba is very likely to leaving meaning we’ll need 2 CMs and a ST next summer. Can’t see all 3 coming in then, unless Greenwood and/or Martial can show enough to be trusted as out #9 next season.

comment by Don Draper's dandruff (U20155)
posted 29 minutes ago
comment by Pun (U21588)
posted 3 minutes ago

Now that Fred is scoring, he's shown he is the complete midfielder.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
arguably we should be selling all our other midfielders, and just playing him in there on his own in a 4-1-5 formation
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ardiles actually tried something like this at Spurs. It didn't end well.

comment by The Post Nearly Man Says Our Number 7 is the King of Uruguay (U1270)
posted 24 seconds ago
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ardiles actually tried something like this at Spurs. It didn't end well.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
but he didn't have fred

comment by Don Draper's dandruff (U20155)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by The Post Nearly Man Says Our Number 7 is the King of Uruguay (U1270)
posted 24 seconds ago
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ardiles actually tried something like this at Spurs. It didn't end well.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
but he didn't have fred
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Excellent point.

As you were.

comment by Don Draper's dandruff (U20155)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by The Post Nearly Man Says Our Number 7 is the King of Uruguay (U1270)
posted 24 seconds ago
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ardiles actually tried something like this at Spurs. It didn't end well.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
but he didn't have fred
----------------------------------------------------------------------
beat me to it

We’ve been linked with Monaco’s Aurélien Tchouaméni in the last day or two, not a clue how true it might be, don’t know anything about him other than that he’s a 21 year old defensive midfielder.

So he’s bound to be what we need to win the title, last piece of the jigsaw

The renowned tribal football site reckons we’re battling Chelsea for him

comment by manusince52 (U9692)
posted 1 hour, 25 minutes ago
I don't think Pogba will go.
I'm very optimistic about the team, I think he's going to enjoy this season.
Ole seems to have learnt how to get the best out of the team and individuals.
We can have a really good season and I think, hope, that will persuade him he can win things here.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Pogba gets a lot of stick, most of it is completely unfounded. I don't have any doubt that he cares about this club and would be prepared to stay, if we were realistically challenging for things. We've been a circus for most of his time here and I think it's completely reasonable for him to see how the season goes and decide from there. If we get a trophy or two and have a really big push for the league, I can see him staying but if it collapses a bit and its clear we're still a fair bit behind Chelsea/City, maybe even end up changing manager, then I fully expect him to be on his way and I would understand his reasons for doing so.

Bit like Lukaku in that I think a good amount of the stick he gets is unfair and over the top. Our fan base doesn't cover itself in glory in how it treats players. From racist abuse to general berating. I was genuinely sad to see how Lukaku was treated, he must have had a pretty miserable period before he left us. Think Cleverely spoke about this with Ben Foster and the impact it can have.

comment by The Post Nearly Man Says Our Number 7 is the King of Uruguay (U1270)
posted 1 hour, 26 minutes ago
comment by Don Draper's dandruff (U20155)
posted 29 minutes ago
comment by Pun (U21588)
posted 3 minutes ago

Now that Fred is scoring, he's shown he is the complete midfielder.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
arguably we should be selling all our other midfielders, and just playing him in there on his own in a 4-1-5 formation
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ardiles actually tried something like this at Spurs. It didn't end well.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

It started beautifully though

comment by Happy Pranks 2021 FF JA LFC Champion (U22336)
posted 2 hours, 10 minutes ago
don't you have Matic, McT, and Fred
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Yes, but none of them are perfect for the sole DM role. Matic is getting on a bit and McFred are more energetic B2B/pressing types.

comment by JonVeron (U6514)
posted 1 hour, 52 minutes ago
We’ve been linked with Monaco’s Aurélien Tchouaméni in the last day or two, not a clue how true it might be, don’t know anything about him other than that he’s a 21 year old defensive midfielder.

So he’s bound to be what we need to win the title, last piece of the jigsaw
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Now Romano saying we’re not interested this summer - if anyone is interested

comment by manutd1982 (U6633)
posted 1 hour, 4 minutes ago
The problem is next season Pogba is very likely to leaving meaning we’ll need 2 CMs and a ST next summer. Can’t see all 3 coming in then, unless Greenwood and/or Martial can show enough to be trusted as out #9 next season.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I have heard quite a few people say this but my thinking is diffferent.
I think the utd midfield will best served with players who are good in the following 3 roles:

#10: fernandes is as good as it gets.

b2b midfielder: I think in MC fred we have 2 defensive minded b2b.

#6: Matic is our best #6 and as much as we all like mcT/fred they lack the positional awareness a #6 needs.

pogba and VDB are incapable of playing as #6 nor able to displace fernandes as #10. So they currently play as b2b where they are decent but not the best. I think they will shine even more alongside a top #6

If we lost pogba we simply need to bring a top #6 and play mct/fred as b2b (their best position imo)

----#6------b2b----
--------#10---------

comment by Robb - McFan #1 (U22311)
posted 4 hours, 46 minutes ago
There’s zero chance of a DM as Pogba is staying and McT is now undroppable.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Neither are CDM's though so not sure how that makes sense

Pogba--------Cavani--------Sancho
---------Bruno---------McT
-----------------CDM

comment by Pride of the North (U6803)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Robb - McFan #1 (U22311)
posted 4 hours, 46 minutes ago
There’s zero chance of a DM as Pogba is staying and McT is now undroppable.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Neither are CDM's though so not sure how that makes sense

Pogba--------Cavani--------Sancho
---------Bruno---------McT
-----------------CDM
----------------------------------------------------------------------


That’s not really how Ole sets up though. He plays both Pogba and McT behind Bruno and Fred is first reserve.

While we have those three at the club plus Matic there’s no need for a new midfielder (I’m not saying quality wise I personally don’t want one - just the reality of the situation doesn’t quite scream desperation right now).

Garner

But we differ in our views on McTominay and Fred, neither are terrible but also nowhere near good enough to play the b2b role at the level required if we want to be competing for the top honours.

Pogba has always caused a bit of a headache because we've never really had the players that suit his game but what is key for him to play to his strengths is a #6 beside like you said, this player ideally needs to come in this summer, if not next summer. If Pogba goes then neither Fred or McTominay are anywhere near good enough to replace him and a player of real quality between a new #6 and Bruno is essential if we want to try and compete with City.

comment by JonVeron (U6514)
posted 5 hours, 53 minutes ago
We’ve been linked with Monaco’s Aurélien Tchouaméni in the last day or two, not a clue how true it might be, don’t know anything about him other than that he’s a 21 year old defensive midfielder.

So he’s bound to be what we need to win the title, last piece of the jigsaw
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Wrote up a small excerpt on him a couple months ago if interested.

"Aurélien Tchouaméni: £30m+ (reckon closer to £50m). Monaco’s midfield anchor. He’s having a stellar season at Monaco, noticeably putting the clamps on Mbappe and co. against PSG. Another younger player that could be worth the gamble. He’s the closest player to Matic IMO. Won Ligue 1 YPOTY in a close race against Eduardo Camavinga."

Fabrizio shot down this rumour a couple hours back unfortunately. Should be something to monitor into next year along with Boubacar Kamara, who is on his last year of his deal at Marseille.

Think we are done in the market