⚽ Football (Soccer)

[Zantera]

Having watched last night's game against Everton the glaring need for midfielders is beyond obvious, the front line is looking sharp, and the back 3 are doing their jobs but there's zero protection in midfield, there's not enough pace, physicality and positional discipline/nous in there, and not enough quality on the ball, it's like we have a gaping void between defence and attack.

The reality is that we need 2 midfielders, arguably 3, but certainly 2 starters, but having kept Bruno were stuck with 1 at most, however if we don't get at least 1, then we're going to struggle.

I agree we need to sign but our current squad makes that awkward. Bruno will probably start as one of the two in most games (could see him being used further up the pitch in some games) and he's got a great track record of staying fit. So that leaves the spot next to him and we got Mainoo, Ugarte, Casemiro and Collyer. Potentially Kone if he impresses enough to get some chances.

Casemiro is here for 1 more year and I do imagine we go big next summer for a key midfielder to replace him. But until then what do we do? Mainoo feels like an interesting one because he's so hyped up to be the next big thing yet we haven't seen a functioning midfield with him. Do we sell him? Lose out on a big prospect from our academy, see him go on to have a great career elsewhere? Ugarte just joined so feels too early to get rid of him. Maybe we go for a loan for Collyer/Kone and get someone in to cover there?

 

[Hunter Rider]

I agree we need to sign but our current squad makes that awkward. Bruno will probably start as one of the two in most games (could see him being used further up the pitch in some games) and he's got a great track record of staying fit. So that leaves the spot next to him and we got Mainoo, Ugarte, Casemiro and Collyer. Potentially Kone if he impresses enough to get some chances.

Casemiro is here for 1 more year and I do imagine we go big next summer for a key midfielder to replace him. But until then what do we do? Mainoo feels like an interesting one because he's so hyped up to be the next big thing yet we haven't seen a functioning midfield with him. Do we sell him? Lose out on a big prospect from our academy, see him go on to have a great career elsewhere? Ugarte just joined so feels too early to get rid of him. Maybe we go for a loan for Collyer/Kone and get someone in to cover there?

I think we have to loan Kone and Collyer, with Kone he's not played a single minute in pre season, and Collyer just isn't good enough for what United are trying to achieve. We are absolutely hamstring by Casemiro, unlike other clubs we struggle to get these deadweights to leave, it's not just the wages, I think our approach is too soft, we let them just linger. We also made a mistake not selling Bruno, now we're shoehorning him into a role he's not suited to, we could have rebuilt the midfield with the money we'd have gotten for him. As for Kobbie, I worry for him, he's clearly talented but he's struggling in the deeper midfield

The bottom line is we absolutely MUST get a midfielder, our options are atrocious, we'll not get top 7 with what we currently have, it doesn't matter how many forwards we buy, and the goal for Amorim this season has to be qualification for the Europa League. The truth is we need 3, Bruno, Casemiro and Ugarte are not the answer, the jury is still out on Kobbie, but we need 4 options so it's Kobbie plus 3 for me, but obviously that's not happening, we're not even going to get 2, so the 1 we get at the bare minimum must be a powerful ground coverer.

 

[Zantera]

The bid for Sesko means striker is the big signing the club wants to make. I still think we either wont sign a CM at all, OR the club will take a punt on a cheap option (a loan or a low cost gamble). I just think with no european football they will think CM is fine for another season and numbers-wise it is.

But I think it's a big make or break season for some players. Mainoo needs to step up this season. He's been touted as one of the biggest prospects in England but he has struggled to stay consistent or solidify his position in the team. If he can't claim a CM position in THIS version of Man Utd then what are we doing? Ugarte has also been mixed but you still have the "he just joined" tag and this season he needs to hit the mark or risk becoming a peripheral player at best. Casemiro is out next summer regardless so not much to say there.

I would love for us to sign Wharton and Baleba tomorrow but I think honestly the scouting department needs to step up. We can't afford spending 60-80m on every signing and if we want a functioning midfield I think we might have to sniff out some good value-for-money deals. Find the next Wharton/Baleba before they become a 80m player. I guess someone like Kone was that kind of signing but he was just way too raw. Surely there are good CMs in the 19-23 age range who wouldn't cost a fortune?

 

[Hunter Rider]

 

[Hunter Rider]

The bid for Sesko means striker is the big signing the club wants to make. I still think we either wont sign a CM at all, OR the club will take a punt on a cheap option (a loan or a low cost gamble). I just think with no european football they will think CM is fine for another season and numbers-wise it is.

But I think it's a big make or break season for some players. Mainoo needs to step up this season. He's been touted as one of the biggest prospects in England but he has struggled to stay consistent or solidify his position in the team. If he can't claim a CM position in THIS version of Man Utd then what are we doing? Ugarte has also been mixed but you still have the "he just joined" tag and this season he needs to hit the mark or risk becoming a peripheral player at best. Casemiro is out next summer regardless so not much to say there.

I would love for us to sign Wharton and Baleba tomorrow but I think honestly the scouting department needs to step up. We can't afford spending 60-80m on every signing and if we want a functioning midfield I think we might have to sniff out some good value-for-money deals. Find the next Wharton/Baleba before they become a 80m player. I guess someone like Kone was that kind of signing but he was just way too raw. Surely there are good CMs in the 19-23 age range who wouldn't cost a fortune?

It's a mess without a doubt, made extra hard by the fact we're looking for a unicorn midfielder who can cover for using Bruno in there, I'm really nit sure who would be a good option at this point, until Amorim accepts that Bruno can't play in a double pivot, we're in an impossible situation.

 

[Hunter Rider]

 

[Zantera]

Don't see it happening since he would be another 80-100m but hey at least the club is aiming high.

 

[Christopher11]

I don't see this happening.

 

[Hunter Rider]

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Are we going to not suck this season...

 

[Hunter Rider]

Don't see it happening since he would be another 80-100m but hey at least the club is aiming high.

The thing is United must know the price as it'll be guaged off Rice and Caicedo, so no point in going in for him if you're hoping for a bargain, I think it'll be down to agreeing a structure for the deal with Brighton, more than anything.

Are we going to not suck this season...

We should be better in attack with a whole new front 3 that has pace, power, technique and physicality, but the midfield still sucks and we desperately need a keeper. United can't use the Baleba deal as "well we tried" excuse, I rate Baleba but there are players like Elliot Anderson and Hugo Larsson who can add similar qualities that would likely cost less.

 

[Hunter Rider]

 

[Zantera]

The only thing that bothers me with the Baleba deal is not Baleba himself because he is great but it's the laziness and lack of scouting when a big club just goes "Eh we'll pay 100m for that guy". Feel like we should be making more shrewd signings with the thinking of "if Brighton lost Baleba, who would they look at as a replacement?" and you could potentially find some big gems for 1/3 or 1/4th of that price.

It's not even like we can use the excuse anymore of being a top team so we can't afford to let 'rough diamond' players into the team because we need 10/10 performances every week to get a title.

 

[PepS]

Funny how things turn out. I think United and Arsenal have gotten the opposite strikers that suit their systems best. We shall see.

 

[Hunter Rider]

 

[Hunter Rider]

The only thing that bothers me with the Baleba deal is not Baleba himself because he is great but it's the laziness and lack of scouting when a big club just goes "Eh we'll pay 100m for that guy". Feel like we should be making more shrewd signings with the thinking of "if Brighton lost Baleba, who would they look at as a replacement?" and you could potentially find some big gems for 1/3 or 1/4th of that price.

It's not even like we can use the excuse anymore of being a top team so we can't afford to let 'rough diamond' players into the team because we need 10/10 performances every week to get a title.

I know what you mean, but at the same time Arsenal and Chelsea have done the same with their midfield, I think we're in a position where Ineos want as little adaption and development as possible, players who are PL tested and can hit the ground running as its so important to have a good season after the absolute shambles of last season, top 7 is the minimum requirement.

Funny how things turn out. I think United and Arsenal have gotten the opposite strikers that suit their systems best. We shall see.

I think you needed that ready made striker, he was like the final piece of the puzzle I think, Sesko is still developing, although I like his all round game, and I think being flanked by PL proven goalscorers in Cunha and Mbeumo will help him. Are you happy with your other signing this summer?

 

[PepS]

I think you needed that ready made striker, he was like the final piece of the puzzle I think, Sesko is still developing, although I like his all round game, and I think being flanked by PL proven goalscorers in Cunha and Mbeumo will help him. Are you happy with your other signing this summer?

I agree. On personal preference, I’d choose Gyokeres over Sesko any day. However, I don’t trust the manager to adapt the system to utilise Gyokeres’ full potential. Watching pre-season, we are still playing the same boring, robotic and uninspiring football from last season. Nothing has changed. He has even said that Gyokeres will have to adapt to his system, rather than him adapting his system to get the best out of Gyokeres. For this reason, I feel Sesko would of been the better option as he suits the manager’s system and was his undisputed preference.

 

[Hunter Rider]

I agree. On personal preference, I’d choose Gyokeres over Sesko any day. However, I don’t trust the manager to adapt the system to utilise Gyokeres’ full potential. Watching pre-season, we are still playing the same boring, robotic and uninspiring football from last season. Nothing has changed. He has even said that Gyokeres will have to adapt to his system, rather than him adapting his system to get the best out of Gyokeres. For this reason, I feel Sesko would of been the better option as he suits the manager’s system and was his undisputed preference.

This is something Pep brought into football, these rigid systems designed to drill players into essentially playing on rails, its why Grealish has struggled at City and why Foden never looks as good for England, Gyokeres is more of a tradional #9, so Artera needs to adapt the team to that, even Pep has adapted with Haaland, otherwise it'll become an issue. I did read Arteta firmly wanted Sesko while Berta wanted Gyökeres.

 

[Hunter Rider]

Can't blame Rasmus for wanting to see how he'd do with Cunha and Mbeumo flanking him, instead of the usual suspects.

 

[BlackFox]

Well we haven't been afraid to splash the cash on Amiron at least he cant complain, just hope its better spent than the last £500m+. Would also like a new keeper in that money spent but I guess we cant replace EVERY player we need in one window. Baleba would be a great addition as well the midfield needs but again seems like it might be another window we get him.

 

[PepS]

This is something Pep brought into football, these rigid systems designed to drill players into essentially playing on rails, its why Grealish has struggled at City and why Foden never looks as good for England, Gyokeres is more of a tradional #9, so Artera needs to adapt the team to that, even Pep has adapted with Haaland, otherwise it'll become an issue. I did read Arteta firmly wanted Sesko while Berta wanted Gyökeres.

This manager is so intent on imitating his buddy at City, although I feel he is more stubborn. He is certainly more arrogant, as he and his cult act as if he is something, yet he is nothing. If Gyokeres flops due to him not integrating him adequately, his cult will blame the owners for not backing him to the hilt, Berta for not getting him the player he wanted and the players for letting him down. It will never be his fault. Yet the biggest problem we have is he himself.

 

[Zantera]

On paper you'd probably say Arsenal have had the strongest summer out of the expected top3 teams but I would still put City and Liverpool higher if we speculate on how the table will look after 38 games.

City seems to fly under the radar of a lot of people. I guess it's because they made their signings in the first week or two of the window meanwhile Liverpool and Arsenal are still dragging on with links to Isak or Eze (among others). City's window might not be as flashy but the signings they have made are great players and considering they won 4 in a row before last season I would be surprised if they didn't come back from last year. Having Rodri back (even if he is missing the first few games) will be like a new signing as well.

Liverpool on paper could come out of this with the most 'kid playing FIFA' window of them all. Wirtz AND Isak? Kerkez and Frimpong? The goalie from Valencia? They will obviously be in the race but I think they have certain problem areas. For example they only have 3 senior CBs and with VVD getting up in age and Konate having earlier injury issues, they're really banking on all of them staying fit to have a good season. One major injury to the wrong player and that team could easily go from challenging for the title to "top4 has to do". They also need Wirtz to hit the ground running when in reality he might need some time to get bedded into PL and a new team.

With Arsenal I think a lot of it looks good on paper but my worry would be changing too much in one window. 6 new players and they might not be done yet if Eze reports are true. Not bad signings but we've seen before that making too many adjustments in a short period can lead to growing pains. Arsenal are almost in the opposite position of City who have made few but smart additions that probably won't rock the boat too much, but with Arsenal they're causing a lot of ripples. Will Gyökeres fit in the system? Will Zubimendi fit? How will some players like Madueke and Kepa deal with not being starters week in week out?

It will be an interesting race for sure. I've heard Arsenal's pre season hasn't looked all that convincing so far and the opening game being at Old Trafford could be very interesting. I'd still expect us to be underdogs and an Arsenal win would be more likely than us winning, but maybe it's the right time to play Arsenal. It's shaping up to be pretty fun with the Sesko vs Gyökeres and both clubs ending up with the striker that people probably thought would play for the other team.

 

[BlackFox]

Yeah I expect Liverpool to win the league again but City or Arsenal might give them more of a run for their money. Unless Liverpool go all out for the CL and leave an opening in the league for someone to nick this season. They will no doubt be the top 3 in some order, 4th is most likely Chelsea and they might even be able to shake up the top order a bit but its hard to see anyone else making it this year past those four as they have all invested heavily.

 

[PepS]

I think a lot of people are underestimating how bad shape Arsenal are in. We’ve bought a lot of players in, but many of them are just filling in gaps and depth that this manager and Edu created. At this stage in the PRocess we should be adding one, or two players and sprinkling the stardust to take us over the line. Instead we are now conducting a rebuild within a rebuild.

Of the players we have signed this window, I would say Gyokeres is the only level raiser, everybody else are just plugging gaps.

Eze and Rodrygo would be level raisers, yet this manager chose to prioritise signings like Havertz and Madueke over the years (I have no beef with these players) and left us in a position where getting deals over the line for the likes of the initial two are now that much harder.

At this point with the time and money this manager has been provided with I expect him to bring a PL, or a CL. He fobbed off the other trophies in pursuit of the big ones due to his arrogance, so bringing one of those now alone will not suffice in him keeping his job, as far as I am concerned. I’m expecting another disappointing season and think we will be in more of a top 4 race than a title race.

He is a control freak and players are looking lost, uninspired and in need of a new voice and new ideas. A majority of the fanbase seem to think he is the be all and end all, which is rubbish.

 

[Hunter Rider]