I'd be interested to hear United fans views on exactly what positions you feel are a priority this summer, and in what order of importance.
Irrespective of what happens in the title race I feel the squad needs a lot of strengthening if we want to continue competing at the latter stages of the CL and winning domestic competitions. With minimal change we would expect to make the CL spots in the Prem and at least compete for domestic trophies, but United's standards in the last 20yrs have raised expectations and the norm to a level where we are consistently amongst the top 4 or so clubs in European football, favourites in the domestic cups, and finishing ahead of us means winning the league.
I've little doubt the extraordinary qualities of SAF and Scholes have given a warped view this season of our continuing strength, or at least in terms of predicting future success. Our early exit in Europe is arguably more reflective. Many would argue previous lack of investment in key positions has finally caught up with us.
Players like Rooney, Young and Valencia are in the age profile that needs boosting imo i.e. 25/26/27, because the squad's a bit lopsided at the young & veteren ends (see below). This isn't helped by the long term absence of Fletcher, and Anderson's injuries / consistency. This lopsided profile is not how United have traditionally been built during SAFs time i.e. ensuring a conveyor belt effect where old players leave and the mid age players step up to the leadership roles, the young players then become the core of the club, and the youth players become the next generation coming through and learning the United way. This has helped bring the continuity and consistency we've achieved.
1 GK David de Gea (21)
2 DF Patrice Evra (30)
4 DF Phil Jones (20)
5 DF Rio Ferdinand (33)
6 DF Jonny Evans (24)
7 FW Michael Owen (32)
8 MF Anderson (24)
9 FW Dimitar Berbatov (31)
10 FW Wayne Rooney (26)
11 MF Ryan Giggs (38)
12 DF Chris Smalling (22)
13 MF Park Ji-Sung (31)
14 FW Javier Hernández (23)
15 DF Nemanja Vidić (30)
16 MF Michael Carrick (30)
17 MF Nani (25)
18 MF Ashley Young (26)
19 FW Danny Welbeck (21)
20 DF Fábio (21)
21 DF Rafael (21)
22 MF Paul Scholes (37)
23 MF Tom Cleverley (22)
24 MF Darren Fletcher (28)
25 MF Antonio Valencia (26)
30 DF Ritchie De Laet (23)
34 GK Anders Lindegaard (28)
40 GK Ben Amos (22)
42 MF Paul Pogba (19)
48 FW Will Keane (19)
51 DF Ezekiel Fryers (19)
The positions I feel we need to strengthen most are:
1. Central midfield, both creatively/attacking and defensively given Scholes age, Giggs age/natural position, Park's legs/natural position, Fletcher's continued absence, Pogba's potential exit, and Anderson fitness/inconsistency/off-field indiscipline. This means we can only definitely rely on Carrick (30) and young Cleverley in coming seasons. I would put strengthening these two CM positions before all others. I couldn't say one over the other, as we can't strengthen creatively but not add more bite and strength to our midfield, and vice versa.
2. Both full back positions. Evra has played almost every game this season, and considering his style of play, age and United's reliance on the full back position that's some effort. However, if we lost Evra to injury next season or form then who plays there? Where is the competition? Fabio is being sent out on loan to develop, and Fryers may not sign. Even if he does, it's a bit much to expect an inexperienced teenager to be the main covering left back for a club like United.
Next season we will currently only have Rafael as a specialist RB, and if SAF couldn't trust him enough to play in our biggest game this season that's a worry. We can get by with shoe horning young centre backs in there, but should a club like United be satisfied with this, especially as full back is such a key position in the modern game.
IMO all 4 of these players should be in that 25/26/27 age range. The LB may be to cover Evra, ready to become the experienced player for Fabio when the Frenchman leaves, and the RB could perhaps perform that role for Rafael now. Order of importance is very hard, because if everyone is fit Evra is OK for any game, but will has no back up at all which means we are exposed. RB has less current quality, but more back up options even though they aren't ideal. I'd have to go LB just because the risk is greater.
CB can wait another year, and I'm sure some would argue a new CF is necessary considering SAF loves to have 4 top ones, and maybe a left sided attacker to compete with Young, but I couldnt prioritise them over the 4 above, and it would mean too many new players coming at once.
Anyway what are your thoughts on the exact positions / player types that need strengthening this summer, and in what order?
What Positions Need Most Strengthening?
posted on 2/5/12
I know. We're being linked with attacking players who play on the wing or behind the main striker. Luxury players basically but players who would still prove to be very good signings.
posted on 2/5/12
Up front I'm not too concerned. Welbeck has surprised me and is linking up well with Rooney, he just needs to be a bit more clinical. Chicharito has had a poor second season - constantly offside, but he is a natural finisher and should come good. I'd like to see Berbatov stay, but that isn't happening.
I think we are okay in central defence with Vidic coming back, Rio managing to stay pretty much injury free and Evans stepping up and performing admirably. Plus we have Jones and Smalling, who look to be the real deal. But at full back, I do worry. Rafael, while good going forward is all too often found wanting defensively, while Evra has been on the decline since the World Cup. We have been linked with Leighton Baines and I don't think that would be a bad signing.
Our midfield though, is in need of major surgery!!
Giggs has been one of our greatest servants, but he is clearly past his best. Scholes is a genius, but at 37 he is not a long solution and we should have been grooming a replacement long ago, not bringing him out of retirement to shore up our shaky midfield. Ji Sung Park used to be a reliable presence for the big games, but he has lost it and can barely stay on his feet anymore. Cleverly has shown bags of potential, but looks to be constant sick note. Anderson has had plenty of chances and has all too often flattered to decieve; if he is to remain at the club, he needs a big season. The biggest tragedy of all is Fletcher, I doubt he will ever be able to truly recover from his illness. We need AT LEAST two midfield signings.
posted on 2/5/12
For me, it isn't about positions but what types of player we are missing.
I think we need a flexible attacking midfielder, who can play on the left, or in the middle especially. Somebody who is agile, good on the ball and commits players and can play a tricky pass. A Kagawa/ Hazard. Nasri type. People say we have enough wingers, but for me, 3 players in 2 positions over a 50 game season, isn't enough.
A central midfielder - preferably somebody strong, fit and can keep the ball. A Toure/ Felleni. M'Vila type.
A young left back – Somebody to prove both cover and competition to Evra.
A striker – Assuming Berba leaves, we could do with a little experience up top imo, though Welbs is still the man to lead the line for me. Who? Not a clue.
A right back – Not vital, but we still don’t have anybody who has that position nailed down, there are huge question marks over Jones and Rafael, and Smalling is too good a centre half. Though with Vidic coming back, Rio and Evans all a natual centre half, he will probably be shifted to rb again this season.
posted on 2/5/12
Fair enough comments BusbyBabes, but I would say Jones isn't a right back so I think he should be cut some slack, especially as he was defensively sound v City and he's simply covered the position in his debut season as a teenager to help the club with injuries or Rafael's lack of form, as has Smalling. I agree if SAF does nothing with that position that Smalling will probably play there either ahead of Rafael or as cover.
However as you know I think we need a stronger RB as one of the worlds top clubs competing at the business end of the season in multiple competitions, and certainly not just have one specialist rb in the whole squad, especially when SAF clearly didnt trust that specialist in our biggest game of the season.
posted on 2/5/12
The Wonderfully Sweet Little Pea
Sorry, I did mean there are questions about Jones at right back, not in general, I think he could be a very godo player for us. Bit of a funny one though, seems to play better when acting on instinct, as do Roney and Nani.
A new rb, lb would be ideal, depends on the funds we have I suppose.
posted on 2/5/12
Yeah def relies on funds mate, that's why I was interested in the peoples priorities re positions this window.
posted on 2/5/12
I don't mind whether any of the improvements are through promoting young players or signings, though on the whole I think both will happen over the next couple of years.
CM - I think we can pretty muchall agree on this. A destroyer in the Tiote mould (though not necessarily him) could go alongside Carrick and make us solid when we need to be. Possibly a deep lying playmaker like Modric or Sahin (for EXAMPLE) - Cleverley plays this role, and I'd be happy with him if he can stay fit.
LB - if Fabio and Fryers are going out on loan, Evra will need competition (or replacement - he's not been playing well for some time).
Then possibly a striker and experienced RB as backup to Rafael. Though these aren't essential in my opinion.
A Kagawa/Götze/Mata style player would help, but to play in our current system a winger, Rooney or Welbeck would have to be dropped.
I would be more then happy with youth promotions, but it looks like a lot are going on loan next year.
posted on 2/5/12
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posted on 2/5/12
"I've seen a lot of the Dutchman and I'm surprised more isn't spoken of him."
I don't think many people have actually seen him play. I hadn't even heard of him until we were linked to him earlier this season. He's also not very good on FIFA, so the plastics won't have raved about him.
As for those other CM options you suggested - Modric and Khedira. I think they are the type of player we should be looking for in midfield. A destroyer to be backup to Carrick or go alongside him when we need to be solid. And a deep lying playmaker who can make things happen on the pitch.
I like Modric. I think he'd be an improvement on what we have, but not such a large improvement to warrant £30m+. He'd slot into our team nicely. Khedira is a good player, but if I'm honest I think Diarra is better.
posted on 2/5/12
Yep true, although Strootman's been upgraded in Football Manager so opinions will change
I've seen him a few times live including in Holland and he's really very good indeed. Has such a sweet left foot. Good pedigree as well in terms of playing at every international level for Holland. I'd be surprised if us being linked with him has any basis in fact though, but he would be a very good signing imo.
I also agree re Modric, but I can see why people have concerns giving the price is prohibitive and doesnt represent value in any way, but he would definitely slot in well imo.