23 Apr 2022 08:07:38
With our centre backs under performing this year and a possible refresh coming in the summer, what does everyone think of James Tarkowski. Free agent in the summer, premier league experience, no nonsense defender and a massive United fan, would be a good sensible signing.


1.) 23 Apr 2022
23 Apr 2022 08:19:52
Nope, he isn't good enough. We need to be buying better CBs than we already have.

I understand that the bar has been set low, but it is time tor air the bar in terms of quality, otherwise we won't make progress in the right direction.


2.) 23 Apr 2022
23 Apr 2022 08:21:24
Couldnt be worse than what we have. Even later, he could be a good bench option.
But there is always fear, how would he do for a "bigger" club. Different tactics, more pressure.


3.) 23 Apr 2022
23 Apr 2022 08:35:21
Why would he join to sit in the bench? Decent player, has Newcastle written all over it that transfer.


4.) 23 Apr 2022
23 Apr 2022 09:08:42
We should stop going after average players.
Else we will become a permanent mid-table club.


5.) 23 Apr 2022
23 Apr 2022 09:28:23
The only free agent centre back we should be looking at is Rudiger.


6.) 23 Apr 2022
23 Apr 2022 10:47:48
I like Rudiger, my feeling though is at 29 and 3 years if all goes very well from realistically competing then he is not for us or rather we are not for him. As I said good player though and better than what we have.


7.) 23 Apr 2022
23 Apr 2022 10:53:42
This prompted me to look into CB free agents this summer. Stand-out names include Romagnoli and Ginter. Plenty of others who could do a job in other positions (unless I've overlooked that they've already signed pre-contracts elsewhere) including Mazraoui, Zakaria, Belotti and Kamara who we know about. Because of the sheer number of ready-made replacements Utd could need perhaps we'll see a couple of players along these lines come in. We only tend to specialise in these types of players at the end of their careers ie Schweiny, Ibra, Cavani, even Ron.
I think Rudiger has been great this season, one of the best in the league. I'd be very surprised if Utd was a realistic destination though. Think he'll go to one of the usual suspects ie Real or PSG.


8.) 23 Apr 2022
23 Apr 2022 12:22:48
I'm pretty sure we'll target Timber at CB, if we do want a second CB (which with possibly Jones, Bailly and Tuanzebe leaving we might need a second CB) then one option could be Zagadou from Dortmund.

I wouldn't go for him as the only CB signing as his injury record is a little sketchy. But he is a physically imposing, ball playing, left sided CB who while lacks pace is used to playing in a pressing side that plays with a fairly high line.

The club have supposedly spoken to Dybala who could be an interesting option for EtH as a striker. Would probably play more like a false 9 like Tadic did for Ajax a couple of season's back.

Kamara would be a good option as a free agent in midfield, I think he'd be well suited to how EtH plays.


9.) 23 Apr 2022
23 Apr 2022 12:53:35
We got ourselves a Rolls Royce CB in Varane, unwhelming would be a good description of his year with us. Maybe time to get someone who has premier league experience.


10.) 23 Apr 2022
23 Apr 2022 12:47:37
As I understand it Kamara can also play centreback. Seems a no-brainer really, if he's up for it of course.

{Ed002's Note - I would not hold your breath.}


11.) 23 Apr 2022
23 Apr 2022 14:51:36
I wouldn’t be against tarkowski. He’s a better player than Lindelof, and maguire has really struggled recently. Think Bailly Jones and Tuanzebe will leave. A free CB and a more specific purchase will be necessary at CB.

{Ed002's Note - Tarkowski will not be joining Manchester United.}


12.) 23 Apr 2022
23 Apr 2022 17:03:42
To be honest a traffic cone would be an upgrade on our current defensive options. However, Tarkowski is not the standard we should be aiming for.


13.) 24 Apr 2022
24 Apr 2022 05:22:48
What is the standard we should be aiming for, the best available is Rudiger, he has no interest in coming to us, similar with Torres.

We have been linked with Timber a 20 year old kid from Ajax, could easily be found out in the Premier league, Ronald Araujo not going to happen, Kilman similar to Tarkowski, Manuel Akanji unknown in the Premier league, could be another Varane.

So where does that leave us for next season, Varane, Maguire and Lindelof again, not a leader amongst them. Let's go get a decent no nonsense defender who knows the league and might actually be able to lead the back line.


14.) 24 Apr 2022
24 Apr 2022 07:44:52
Grim, Tarkowski is average and isn't the leader/ organiser of Burnley's defence that's Ben Mee.

If you want a no nonsense leader at CB with EPL experience then we should be looking at Coady from Wolves.

Although like Kilman questions about whether he can be as good in a back four as opposed to the back 3 he has excelled in remains to be seen.


15.) 24 Apr 2022
24 Apr 2022 11:46:04
Ed 002, when you get chance, do you have any insight as to who the club will be targeting for defensive positions?

{Ed002's Note - The problem is that the new coach will have an input but the club have been looking to the likes of Sam Johnstone (G), Calvin Ramsay (RB/RM), Nordi Mukiele (RWB/CB), Max Aarons (RB), Luca Netz (LB), Armel Bella-Kotchap (CB), Pau Torres (CB), Manuel Akanji (CB), Nico Gordon (CB), Dan-Axel Zagadou (CB), Eric Martel (DM/CB) and Tyler Adams (DM/RB).}


16.) 24 Apr 2022
24 Apr 2022 12:19:31
That’s a worrying list Ed. Thank christ for Google search… guess this is where Utd are now.

{Ed002's Note - Why worrying?}


17.) 24 Apr 2022
24 Apr 2022 13:09:08
Thanks Ed. That's quite a list. Big changes a foot, thank crunchie.


18.) 24 Apr 2022
24 Apr 2022 14:08:12
We have been linked previously with Aarons for RB and Torres at CB. Key is do they fit with Ten Hag view of what he needs in such positions. I can see moves for players he has worked with before and both rates and trusts. I wouldn't be surprised if we looked at Timber for CB and De Ligt also. De Ligt would be a big money signing that may still be lusted after from the commercial side. Still only 22, Timber is 20. Far more likely we look to buy two CBs young enough to form a great partnership in future than go for someone with prom experience but ultimately you'd feel would fall short at the highest level in Tarkowski.


19.) 24 Apr 2022
24 Apr 2022 14:09:58
Think the above poster is worried they’re not all big sexy names but isn’t this what Ralf was here to bring Ed? To suggest names that weren’t 80-100m at every cost but high potential for less money.


20.) 24 Apr 2022
24 Apr 2022 14:16:42
No worries on that list at all spenno. Why worry? Not well known or expensive enough for you like the likes of dumb ass players like pogba martial sanchez?


21.) 24 Apr 2022
24 Apr 2022 15:03:20
Those players above have very high cieling. I would love it if they listen to Rangnicks recommendations.


22.) 24 Apr 2022
24 Apr 2022 15:19:25
I just meant it was worrying sign of how far we've fallen that they are all low-key targets. But I have no problem at all with this profile of player, we've tried the sexier players to abysmal effect recently so let's try a different approach.

{Ed002's Note - Most would be very good additions.}


23.) 24 Apr 2022
24 Apr 2022 16:19:06
United fans: were ready for a revolution and clear out.

Same United fans: let's sign a tarkowski on a free.

No better than anything we currently have.

Dumb move.


24.) 24 Apr 2022
24 Apr 2022 18:07:55
Tarkowski according to the stats has outperformed all United's defenders this year, in fact only Bruno, Fred and Ronaldo have been better than him. Good squad edition and something we don't currently have in defence, someone who can defend.

I wouldn't mind either of the Kilmun of Cody Shappy, but they both have contacts until 2025-26 respectively. and will be expensive.

With the midfield a priority due to the number of them leaving, its not going to leave a lot left for that leaky defence.


25.) 24 Apr 2022
24 Apr 2022 18:35:20
Lets go 3 at the back then. Ronaldo in the center for his heading, fred rcb and bruno lcb. Fixed, i'm a genius ?.


26.) 24 Apr 2022
24 Apr 2022 18:03:08
Hi Ed002,

Thanks so much for the list of names - agree with you that they woukd be good additions. So much needs to change at the club, including profile of incoming transfers.

They sound like Ralf Rangnik suggestions? If so, do you know how much influence he is having on the squad rebuilt, from recommending outgoing to suggestions about who to bring in?

And do you think he is being listened to?!

Thanks again for any info you can impart.

{Ed002's Note - I provided a list of the players that I understand RR proposed to Manchester United. Others like Pau Torres and Max Aarons have been spotted by the scouting system and have been of interest in the longer term.}


27.) 24 Apr 2022
24 Apr 2022 20:23:29
Thanks again Ed002, really interesting looking up the names you listed. Hope we invest in some of them!

Thanks again.


28.) 24 Apr 2022
24 Apr 2022 21:33:29
Torres, aarons, and netz would be good additions to a very poor back 4 if possible Timber would really round things off.


29.) 25 Apr 2022
25 Apr 2022 16:03:17
How on Earth do you know if Timber can cut it in the premier how do you even know if TH would even think he can, just because he played for him in Dutch league it’s horses for courses. DVB was good in Dutch league useless in Premier under 4 managers at 2 clubs perhaps TH also knows he not good enough for premier, we don’t know, but you can’t just say ol he is good under TH he will be great under him here, we don’t even know if TH can cut it,

Come on guys please.


30.) 25 Apr 2022
25 Apr 2022 22:55:53
Juicer or Whoever he used to be is a real ray of sunshine on the wind up.