17 May 2020 12:17:40
Hope everyone is well and surviving lockdown as best you can. Further talk of Pogba returning to Juventus and appreciate it's been done to death and I fully expect him to leave. Appreciate any views on who you think will be his replacement. Assuming he is replaced of course. Saul Niguez at Athletico Madrid will be in very high demand if AM need to raise significant cash. Who do folk think we'll sign and as a linked question where do you see Fernandes ideal position given he looks to be both a No.10 and a No.8.


1.) 17 May 2020
17 May 2020 13:33:26
Halesini.
Good to see you back posting.
On bruno i think he can play both as an 8 or 10. I prefer him as an 8 generally but in games where a shape tweak is needed he can play as a10.
Ed002 has said the club want to sign grealish.
If pogba leaves and with the economics involved its by no means certain now, i'd like to see sms or saul but again with the finances and uncertainty surrounding football and the world in general i don't see either of those coming.
If pogba goes to juve there is a possibility that either Ramsey or Raibot will come in part exchange.
A summer of ighalo grealish sancho and either ramsey/ raibot would be a great result imo given the circumstances with possibly lingard jones rojo sanchez andreas smalling gomes all leaving. Henderson garner laird chong all going on loan.
Ighalo looks like he could do a good job for a couple of years. Greenwood could come on in leaps and bounds.
Grealish is a bit of a wild card. He had shown in flashes he can be brilliant. At united he will have to show those flashes every week. He has a touch of magic and arrogance so i am hopeful but not expectant. I think he could go either way. But i do think there is a chance he could become a real cult hero with the fans. I thought the same about AWB after seeing him in our season.
Sancho is possibly a tough deal to pull off. Worth trying imo. But its a long shot for this summer.
A Ramsey or raibot signing would only work if they want to come. 2 good players.
Pogba may be backing himself into a corner but if he signs a new contract with us i can only assume its because he wants to stay and be part of a the team and if that were the case then we would have a very good player in the squad. If he doesn't want to sign a new contract now then this summer is the time the club can maximise his value. If he stays and doesn't sign a new contract i fear we would have an unhappy and disruptive member in the squad. Constantly making news for the wrong reasons.
A summer could go by without strengthening our defence and dm positions. I think we need too strengthen at cb that said i still hold out hope for bailly who i thought looked fantastic but never lived up to my initial excitement.


2.) 17 May 2020
17 May 2020 13:20:15
He should go at the earliest flight and be replaced by sms or niguez.


3.) 17 May 2020
17 May 2020 15:40:03
I think grealish will sign regardless of whether pogba leaves or not.

Still doubt pogba will leave this summer as its pretty clear now no club will come close enough to the figure we have set for him (whether you think that is reasonable or not) and we as a club seem to be reluctant to do swap deals which i think is understandable as most of the players offered by the likes of madrid and juve don't want to play in the premier league or in manchester.


4.) 17 May 2020
17 May 2020 15:42:34
Pogba needs to leave, but with everything going on I am not so sure it will happen. Which puts the club in an awkward position going forward.

I think from picking up bits and pieces here and there that the idea for next season is to play 433/ 4231. Mike Phelan has said in an interview that he prefers a 343 shape but our squad is more suited to a 433 and that you need to use what you have. Or at least words to that effect. While the Ed’s have said we are looking at a RW, and a left sided/ No.10.

From this I think we will see a more offensive midfield line up, with Bruno playing a deeper role more like a No.8 with someone like Grealish playing in the No.10 role, possibly moving out wide when Rashford cuts in from the left leaving space for Bruno to move forward into. I could see that working, although I’m not sold on Grealish who I think might be better off as the big fish in the small pond. For me Houssem Aouar or even Todd Cantwell would be better signings in that role.

Sancho is the obvious choice at RW, the Rabbi Matondo links in recent days seem interesting. Not a player I know a lot about. But we need a right winger who can stay wide and stretch play with Rashford cutting in on the left you don’t want both wide players cutting in especially with a CF and potentially two midfielders central, while AWB isn’t the most accomplished full back at overlapping and offering a threat from wide. Adama Traore would be an interesting option, but this season will have massively inflated his price, which probably rules him out. I’ve been impressed with Buendia at Norwich but he is better at cutting inside rather than staying wide which means he might not be the ideal candidate.

I think that means like the Ed’s have said that the need for a holding midfielder aren’t as pressing with Matic signing a new deal along with McTominay and Fred all possibly fighting it out for one place in most games, although I can see two of them playing in the big games to gain a better foothold in midfield.

If Pogba doesn’t leave could we still play this way? I think we could but Pogba historically hasn’t done his best as a No.10, but it could definitely be worth a try.

If we play a back four next season then we can go another year without signing a CB and see how Tuanzebe does when injury free. Full backs look very settled. While Henderson will probably have another year on loan unless someone comes in with a good offer for DDG, which given the current situation is unlikely.

Then depending on your view we either need back up at CF or a rotation option to challenge Martial. Ighalo would be a good back up option and seems happy and settled in the squad, while Moussa Dembele looks like the preferred option to come in and challenge Martial for a first team place.

So RW, No.10 and ST are the likely obvious targets.


5.) 17 May 2020
17 May 2020 16:36:56
I think we play far better in a back 3 against the better teams and counter, it's worked well a lot this season I think.

I hate it when he puts a back 3 against a poorer opposition though. We struggle a lot trying to play through a defensive team and create space and we seem to play a lot slower.

I'd probably try sign these 5 although it will be impossible 😂😂

Jose Giminez
Saul Niguez
Fabian Ruiz (if sell pogba)
Jadon Sancho
Odion Oghalo (already seems settled and scoring)


6.) 17 May 2020
17 May 2020 18:21:05
Thanks for the in-depth responses. I should post more often lol.

Shappy’s point about Grealish being a big fish in a small pond may well ring true. But there’s clearly a naturally gifted player there who on balance would improve us. Not sure he’s a ‘next level’ signing like Niguez, appreciate different positions / styles. Niguez walks into any team in Europe for me. Don’t think same can be said for Pogba despite his obvious talent on one of his ‘on’ days.

I know League position wise we want to be much higher and there’ll always be Ole lovers and haters but I see signs of improvement. The signings made so far looked to improve the first team and clearly reinforcements are needed. A big summer for us. Be interesting to see the C.V. impact on an over-inflated market but hope we can still get deals done. Pogba definitely heading out but not for cash would worry me as I can’t think of too many mega successful players swaps. I appreciate they may well be one of the new normals we need to adjust to.

Sancho seems to have been on the cards for sometime and I think we will prioritise him and Grealish this window. Meaning Pogba’s replacement is already here in the form of Fernandes. I assume we will sign Oghalo who’s the right age and experience to give cover at ST but also allow more game time for Greenwood.

Interesting times ahead.


7.) 17 May 2020
17 May 2020 18:41:30
We get Champions League Pogba will stay and sign a new deal. 😷😷.


8.) 17 May 2020
17 May 2020 19:29:25
Hope he stays.

Even if has a poor game still creates.

Pogba is no good coming deep for the ball he's better higher up the pitch. I think he could work well with Fernandes and I think how he's played has made him re think his options.

Rashford has massively improved this season, martial needs to keep injury free because it halts him every time he gets a run going he gets injured then he struggles for weeks.

Lack of depth and quality cost us games this season.

Surely Lingard, Pereira, Jones, Rojo, Smalling, Sanchez have got to go. Chong, Garner and Henderson on loan. Hopefully Gomes signs and goes out on loan.

I think we're good enough in the full back areas. I'm torn on CB as his first season Eric Bailly was quality and also showed promise since his latest return.

Definitely need a top CD and RM.

I know the table says other wise but we're not a million miles away just a few tweaks and bit of luck injuries 2/ 3 signings could easily close that gap by 25 points. I think if we sign Fernandes in the summer we'd of been at least 15 points better off easy.

I think IF martial can stay fit he will get 20 goals but we know that won't happen with his injury record.


9.) 17 May 2020
17 May 2020 19:50:12
Agree with a lot of that wilbot, a front 5 of pogba, bruno, rashford, martial and a RW (hopefully sancho) would be great to watch.


10.) 18 May 2020
18 May 2020 07:01:00
Saul and Sancho signing will propel us to challenge for the title.
Ighalo permanent deal to add more depth in attack.


11.) 18 May 2020
18 May 2020 07:22:02
Halesini, Clearly Grealish is a talented player, and he is certainly an upgrade on Lingard/ Andreas Pereira.

I wouldn't be upset if the club signed him. I just feel that he has often gone missing when Villa need him most (part of the reason they are in a relegation dog fight), he also has a habit of bringing bad press/ disrepute to his club (which is never a good thing, you might accept it for a special talent who wins you games on their own, is that Grealish? I don't think so) . While I don't tend to pay too much notice to figures being thrown about, it is still something to consider. Apparently in the last couple of days the word in the press is Villa want at least 80m for him regardless of whether they are relegated or not.

Which in this current market especially is a ridiculous amount. Houssem Aouar is reportedly available for 50m EUROS which on current exchange rate is around 42m pounds or about HALF of what Grealish would cost. For me Aouar is a much better player, without the drama.

I also like Todd Cantwell, I think he has huge potential and seems like he has the right attitude/ mentality.


12.) 18 May 2020
18 May 2020 11:04:26
I would be more than happy with Grealish, Bellingham and Sancho. Move Pogba on as soon as possible.
I rate Bellingham very highly and think that he would be pushing for a starting place in the first 11 on this first season. He has everything, good passing range, pace and power. He doesn't look like a 16 year old. He will really kick on playing and training with high quality players at United.


13.) 18 May 2020
18 May 2020 11:31:16
Simo, Bellingham is an interesting target, he has a great all round game which at his age means he could be moulded into any kind of midfielder you want. I don't think he quite has the instincts/ creativity to play as a No.10 at an elite level, but you could mould him in to a world class holding or box to box midfielder. The latter of which I think suits his skill set best.

However, the issue is because of his age he can't be loaned out, so would either have to play in our under 23's which he is clearly too good for seeing how well he has played in the Championship. Or he would have to play in our first team.

When looking at our midfield options currently we have Matic as an out and out holding midfielder, could Bellingham be his back up? Maybe, but then I don't think we NEED to play with an out and out DM in every game, so how many chances would Bellingham get playing back up to a player who might only be needed 10-15 times in a season.

We then have Fred and McTominay who can both play as a DM but are more natural box to box midfielders. They play the role that in my opinion will be Bellingham's best. While both are genuine candidates for player of the season. That is tough competition for Bellingham to over come.

Then in a more offensive role in midfield we have Bruno, Pogba and possibly a new signing like Grealish. This in my opinion is Bellingham's weakest position within midfield, so even if Pogba leaves and we don't sign another offensive midfielder then I would have reservations about him being cover for Bruno, especially when we have Mejbri in our academy who could cover a few games and is more suited to this position.

So I'm not sure where Bellingham gets game time, and that is without considering Garner and Levitt who should both be loaned out.

While I'm a big advocate of signing young players, there needs to be a balance. Signing too many in one position means that invariably a couple of them won't get the game time needed to progress.

With midfielder options of Matic, Fred, McTominay, Bruno, Pogba and possibly one other, along with three excellent youth prospects in Garner, Levitt and Mejbri. That's 8 players for a maximum of 3 spots in the team. You could argue that our first choice midfield is McTominay, Fred and Bruno with Pogba and Matic on the bench.

I only see a place for Bellingham if Pogba leaves. Giving us Matic, McTominay, Fred and Bellingham as options for the double pivot, and Bruno plus whoever we sign possibly Grealish as options for No.10.

With one of Garner or Levitt replacing Matic next summer.

I just don't see where Bellingham fits if we keep Pogba and sign a player like Grealish.


14.) 18 May 2020
18 May 2020 11:59:30
Bellingham is 16 and has played 30 games for Birmingham. I think its a bit early to say he can or can't do this or that or question where un fits in at a team like united.


15.) 18 May 2020
18 May 2020 12:20:27
Jred, are you suggesting that on a United forum we shouldn't be discussing how a potential target would fit into the squad/ team?

That seems a little silly to me.

Yes the lad is young, as was Messi when he made his breakthrough, and Rooney, and Camavinga.

The club is seriously interested in signing him. If that happens he can't be loaned out due to his age. So the options are simple he either plays in the academy which he is clearly too good for, or he plays in the first team.

Why spend 30m on a player for him to stagnate in the academy? You would think if the club sign him then he will go into the first team squad. So working out how or where he might fit seems an apt thing to do on this site?

I would have thought a return to discussing actual football would be welcome.

{Ed002's Note - He is also limited the number of hours he can train per week and must complete huis schooling.}


16.) 18 May 2020
18 May 2020 13:25:51
Shappy, I think Jred meant to say Jude Bellingham is just 16, so he has scope to learn and operate in multiple positions.


17.) 18 May 2020
18 May 2020 13:34:26
Shaps
The lad is 16 barely played 30 games for Birmingham so I think its a bit early to say he can or can't do this or that .
How much of him have you seen to say he can't play as a 10 or lacks creativity at the top level, a level he has yet to play at .
Does he not play as an attacking cm fir Birmingham?
I've only seen clips of him but from all accounts the lad has bags of ability but its very early .
Messi and Rooney where playing at a much higher level and although messi was still playing games for barce B when he was 17.
If we spend 30 mil on him I think we will have 1 eye firmirly on the future as apposed to the now.


18.) 18 May 2020
18 May 2020 13:38:03
truereddevil
Thats exactly what I was getting at .


19.) 18 May 2020
18 May 2020 15:03:50
Jred, He is very young and there is loads of scope for him to adapt. I have said that: "he has a great all round game which at his age means he could be moulded into any kind of midfielder you want" as you can see from my previous post.

It is my opinion based off of the games I've seen him play, what I have been told from someone who has watched every game he has played in and from reading around about him that his future will likely lie deeper in midfield as a all round box to box type player.

Obviously opinions can change over time and the lad is young so he has loads of time to adapt and grow.

For Birmingham this season he has played wide left, wide right, CDM, box to box, No.10 and even as a centre forward in one game. Personally his best performances that I have seen have come when he is playing in a more box to box role and it seems more natural to him.

I don't think it is possibly to sign a 16 or 17 year old as he will be by the time the window opens without one eye firmly on the future.

My point was more from the perspective of Bellingham himself. He has several options in front of him.

He can either sign a new deal at Birmingham and stay there, get game time every week and continue to develop at his home town club without uprooting his family.

Or he can move to Dortmund, his whole family will be uprooted but as seen with Sancho he would get time in the first team in a top league at a club renown for developing players.

Or he could move to United, uproot his family, but move to a top English club in the EPL, at a club with a great history of developing young players. But to develop game time is the most important thing. He has that at Birmingham, he needs it to continue to develop. At United he cannot be loaned out, so the only options is the under 23's or the first team. If he is to choose United then I would imagine it will be to be in the first team, not the academy. Which begs the question of where and when will he play?


20.) 18 May 2020
18 May 2020 16:10:08
Shappy
Time will tell I suppose but at 16 with out even a full season under his belt I think its hard to say .


21.) 18 May 2020
18 May 2020 16:13:21
As for when would he play, I would be surprised if he walked in to the first team . But he could well be part of the first team squad.


22.) 18 May 2020
18 May 2020 16:55:02
I'm not sure he'll move without some assurances over playing time. He's first choice for a club already. He will want to play. To be honest that's the most puzzling part of this transfer.


23.) 18 May 2020
18 May 2020 17:52:55
Shappy don't know the lad so can't say. But its a brave coach or a liar that guarantees a 16 year old making the step up that he walks into the first team . Into the squad and the opportunity that comes with that maybe?

As for playing, the lad must have bags of ability because at that age the are a lot of players with physical attributes but its ability creativity that really stands you out . So I'm not sure you would want to pigeon hole him in to a role especially not Defensive Cm . Let the lad develop express himself, get on the ball. AcM even on the wing, let him get on the ball.

Train with the first team squad minutes of the bench etc while he finds his feet.


24.) 18 May 2020
18 May 2020 21:37:19
Hadn’t seen the £80m quoted for Grealish. Talented yes? But only £9m short of the #WorldsBestPlayer Paul Pogba? (don’t all throw rotten fruit at once, I know he’s on his way)

£30m for a 16yo if Bellingham is the next big thing as many are suggesting looks a better bet.

Fully appreciate Villa are entitled to their valuation of Grealish and good luck to them. Talented lad. If there is to be a significant C.V. impact on transfers though I just don’t see him selling at that price. Or at least not to us if a huge chunk of our kitty is tied up in the Sancho deal.

I’m glad we are being so heavily linked with youngsters who look a bit special. Age has never been a barrier at United and I’m sure that will reflect well when rising stars consider a move to us.

Appreciate we have our own gems too. Would love to see more of Garner next season.


25.) 18 May 2020
18 May 2020 21:52:24
Could he not remain at Birmingham for another season if Utd bought him. That would seem sensible for his development.


26.) 19 May 2020
19 May 2020 08:13:43
Oakbark, he is a child and as such isn't allowed to be loaned out until he is 18 at least. Which would mean he wouldn't be allowed to be loaned out until the start of the 21/ 22 season at the earliest.