This is going to be an incredibly important transfer window for Moyes and United. Fail to make any significant signings then risk failing to make top 4, which would have even more significant repercussions, severely decreasing the possibility of signing world class players and keeping our world class players.
If Moyes is to continue to implement the 4-2-3-1 formation for the foreseeable future with Rooney at the centre of the 3 attacking midfielders then IMO the best possible acquisitions in this transfer window would lead to the following starting 11:
De Gea
Rafael Vidic Jones Baines
Carrick Vidal
Januzai Rooney Mata
RVP
Vidal is a quality player who would be the box to box midfielder we've needed for a long time. With recent comments by Mourinho implying Mata isn't needed, I believe we could and should come in with a bid. He would be perfect as the CAM drifting in from the left and would add real quality and creativity to our team. With the World Cup this summer Mata will be keen to move and find first team football to try and make the Spain squad.
The left back is a position we need to address, with Evra producing a string of very poor defensive and leaving this summer. Baines would be the immediate fix, being defensively better than Evra and a huge threat going forward. The only problem is that he may be too costly, in which case we should instead attempt to purchase Luke Shaw from southampton as a more long term solution.
In terms of departures, I can't see many permanent departures occurring in January unless miraculously bids come in for Anderson. However, I think that Moyes should definitely loan out Zaha. He seems a great talent but is wasted on the bench and needs first team football at his age to continue to develop. I think a loan a premier league side where he is guaranteed to start most games would be ideal.
Who do you think would be realistic signings and departures and what effect would they have?
January dealings
posted on 2/1/14
Robb
I'm not disputing the fullbacks don't bomb on.
But a 3-5-2 isn't what we're doing. In a 3-5-2, the fullbacks supply all the width.
We have wingers on at all times. Just because they're no bloody good, doesn't mean they are not there.
We've not played anything close to 3-5-2 this season. No idea why you think we have.
2 wingers ahead of 2 fullbacks is NEVER 3-5-2.
posted on 2/1/14
Se85
When Carrick or Fellaini drops back to stay with the 2 CB's and the full backs bomb on and are the furthest forward (out of the with the wingers) it makes it a 3-5-2 formation.
I'm not for one second saying we start the game with a 3-5-2 (i.e 3 CB's) but during a game there are many formations played. I used to play at a high-ish level on the South coast and you'd be amazed how many formations are changed during a game.
posted on 2/1/14
Carrick might do, Fellaini doesnt or hasnt done so far
posted on 2/1/14
comment by Mex : Italian football sucks and I love Ashley Young' (U6687)
posted 25 seconds ago
Carrick might do, Fellaini doesnt or hasnt done so far
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Interestingly I saw an interview the other day with Fellaini where he says he may well end up as a CB. With his skills (he does have some!) he might well be a good CB option for us one day.
posted on 2/1/14
comment by Robb - Australia for the 2014 World Cup. The darkest of horses. (U9808)
posted 31 seconds ago
comment by Mex : Italian football sucks and I love Ashley Young' (U6687)
posted 25 seconds ago
Carrick might do, Fellaini doesnt or hasnt done so far
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Interestingly I saw an interview the other day with Fellaini where he says he may well end up as a CB. With his skills (he does have some!) he might well be a good CB option for us one day.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
he might do, but he hasnt been sitting alongside the CB's so far in his united career, he's usually chasing the ball around like a dog in the local park
posted on 2/1/14
Robb
I'm not disputing the fullbacks don't bomb on.
But a 3-5-2 isn't what we're doing. In a 3-5-2, the fullbacks supply all the width.
...........
Tip top wummery from Robb, no doubt there.
Good to see no change from him this year.
Ever since I can remember,, United has always had full backs who have got forward to supply extra width.
This is nothing new that Moyes is doing here.
posted on 2/1/14
Havent we had this article before
posted on 2/1/14
i think rob has forgotten how Becks and Neville did that right side for United and England for ten years.
Becks was hardly a chalk on his boots winger. (he didnt have the pace) Neville gave United tremendous width overlapping him on the outside
posted on 2/1/14
comment by RBW - I'll be the judge of that (U2335)
posted 13 minutes ago
i think rob has forgotten how Becks and Neville did that right side for United and England for ten years.
Becks was hardly a chalk on his boots winger. (he didnt have the pace) Neville gave United tremendous width overlapping him on the outside
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I've never said we didn't have full backs bombing up and down 20 years back (and previously), hell, Irwin was one of my favourite ever players.
All i'm saying is that when we do it these days, Carrick sits back on the halfway line with the centre backs and acts as a 3rd central defender to protect us when the fullbacks are by the oppositions penalty area.
I can't remember Ince or Scholes ever being so far back when we attacked.
posted on 2/1/14
i think rob has forgotten how Becks and Neville did that right side for United and England for ten years.
..............
Clearly, and how Irwin and Heinze did the same on the left wing with Giggs.
Carricks problem in all of this is that he drops too deep.
He should push up, and when the full backs overlap, the wingers sit in behind them.
Common sense and has been going on for years.