19 Dec 2020 14:18:41
It is difficult to get players in January, but are we trying to get anyone in particular.

{Ed002's Note - The targets before next season starts will be G (third choice), CB, DM/CM, LM, RW. It is difficult to say when transfers will be completed. Outgoings will have an impact.
}

1.) 19 Dec 2020
19 Dec 2020 18:41:02
A lot is said about which CB we should sign, Upamecano, Pau Torres etc are often linked.

However, for me the player I would sign above all others at CB would be Gabriel from Arsenal. I doubt we would go for him as he only signed for Arsenal this summer. But he has been far and away Arsenal's best player this season. He'll have had a full season in the EPL by next summer, while Arsenal might be relegated by then if they keep this form up. He's good in the air, a great passer out from the back, gets a few goal and is quick across the ground.

For what Arsenal paid for him this summer we really did miss a trick.

2.) 19 Dec 2020
19 Dec 2020 19:32:12
Shapps, I think it's too early to judge Gabriel based on just a third of the season.

Dan James looked a world beater in the early stages of last season :)

3.) 20 Dec 2020
20 Dec 2020 01:53:38
Agree to an extent TrueRedDevil, but Gabriel will be cut price when Arsenal and their 'fantastic style of play' get relegated. So worth a punt.

4.) 20 Dec 2020
20 Dec 2020 13:21:10
TrueRedDevil, Gabriel had a great season in France last year and was highly thought of. I suggested in the summer that he should be a player we should be considering this summer.

He has taken the step up from Ligue 1 to the EPL in his stride.

I don't see many CB's around who have more experience in the EPL who have as much potential, are currently playing to as high a level and could be available next summer.

5.) 20 Dec 2020
20 Dec 2020 13:47:39
Conceding a lot of goals mind.

6.) 20 Dec 2020
20 Dec 2020 19:25:07
While Arsenal are conceding a lot of goals, the rest of the defensive unit will consist of Holding, Luiz, Mustafi centrally with Bellerin, Saka, Tierney and Maitland-Niles at full back.

He has crap defenders alongside him and out wide the fullbacks are much better going forward than defending.

The whole team is a shambles, yet while everyone around him is losing their head, it is Gabriel who looks like the only one who knows what he should be doing and is doing it. He has also grabbed a couple of goals from set-pieces too.

7.) 22 Dec 2020
22 Dec 2020 01:11:49
How many right wingers are we going to buy?

8.) 22 Dec 2020
22 Dec 2020 11:50:52
Ed002 you noted we would be in for a LM and RW as well as a DM. That's as well as the more pressing need for a CB who'd be a first team regular, likely replacing Lindelof. I am worried slightly that a centre forward isn't noted.
Our options are:
- Cavani, 33, class player but at the age where injuries will be harder to shake off and suggest max 25-30 games a season. Great addition to the squad tho IMO.
- Greenwood, 19, a fantastic talent who will be our long term No.9 if he continues to fulfil his potential. Being used more as RW due to wider squad deficiencies which is a role he's not particularly suited to.
- Martial, 25, been at the club 5 years now and supposedly now at the peak of his powers but woefully inconsistent. He is not a natural No.9 for me (hence we bizarrely have Martial and Greenwood both out of sync from what they're best at) .
- Ighalo, loan ending soon hence discounted.

I appreciate Greenwood is the future but we are light up top for a title challenge now if relying on Martial as the main man. Surely this looked to have been identified as a weak spot if we bid for Haaland only last January. Or do you think that was more speculative on our part given Ole gave him his debut and the Norwegian connection?

Your sage counsel welcomed as always. And regardless hope all the Eds and posters have a great Christmas.

{Ed002's Note - Part of the problem is that Manchester United have taken to adding RWs without properly addressing the issue. Pellistri arrived and now Amad Traore will arrive added to Greenwood and Lindgard (although Lindgard will be out of contract in the summer). As far as a striker goes, beyond another younger player being added, will depend on how the rest of the season pans out (if a Director of Football arrives, if there is a change of coach etc..). Right now the focus remains on a CB as the highest priority.}