Jones?

I like the look of Strootman.

Well unless we can buy a strong defensive midfielder. However I still do believe that jones can perform well in that rule and mould his game to be extremely good in a holding midfielder role and that way we dont have to spend

At this moment in time, I don't think he has the discipline or awareness.

Correct, he has been found out defensively this season especially playing at the back. But he will improve and his signs of brilliance were those surging runs he made from midfield or defense earlier In the season. Similiar to how yaya performs for city. I believe he can be the holding/box to box midfielder we desire.

Long term possibly, but he needs to learn from a specialist in that position and currently we don't have one.

Well however you put it the need for a that type of player is a given, whether it is from moulding, promoting or buying.

I see Jones as a CB in the future, though I understand many people see him as a DM. I don't think he's quite good enough on the ball to play in centre mid long term at the top level.

He has all the attributes to be a top class CB, he's just lacking a bit of positional awareness at the moment. This will come with time, experience and nurturing from the coaches, Ferdinand and Vidic. I haven't forgotten how good he was at CB for Blackburn - I remember telling my Dad we should get him to go alongside Smalling, as every time I saw him play for Blackburn he was their best player. At CB. Perhaps coming to United has just highlighted his youthful faults, faults that always come as one learns the game.

I think Jones has the potential to be a good DM, or a great CB.

And yes, we could do with a DM of a different style to Carrick, to be backup to him and play alongside him when we need to tighten up.

Think it needs to be a tough tackling, box to box midfielder tbh. Fellaini, Strootman, Tiote etc.

what are your opinions of a change in formation and deploying three interchangeable attacking midfielder such as kagawa, gaitan and nani?

Remember with Jones, he's yet to have a proper string of games next to the same partner at the back for us. Smalling has had that luxury, Evans too. He's showed enough at Blackburn at the back and in fits and spells for us also. When he's got games under his belt he's shown some real quality charging forward too. He needs time at the back, with a stable partner, ie Vidic.

Think it needs to be a tough tackling, box to box midfielder tbh. Fellaini, Strootman, Tiote etc.

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I would go with that (haven't seen anything of Strootman, but have read a lot of good things about him). I wouldn't have any of them over Carrick, but alongside him we'd be solid in front of the back four. We almost play a 4231 at the moment anyway. If we were to make this sort of change, someone like Kagawa would be good to give us another attacking option different to Rooney and the wingers.

what are your opinions of a change in formation and deploying three interchangeable attacking midfielder such as kagawa, gaitan and nani?

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I think we almost play a 4231, but it's more wingers than attacking midfielders. I like the idea, but wouldn't want to lose our wingers at the moment. Nani, Rooney, Young and Kagawa (we've pretty much got him from what I've heard) are all able to interchange and play either side and central. This could be devastating when it works, and Valencia also offers another option on the right when we want more width.

Strootman looks very good. A powerful runner, good tackler, has a good shot on him as well as a great passing range. I could see Carrick and Strootman in front of the back 4 with Kagawa just ahead and a front 3 of Rooney, Nani and Valencia. All of a sudden looks a lot better.

De Gea

Smalling Vidic Ferdinand Baines (please!)

Carrick Strootman
Kagawa

Valencia Rooney Nani

outs: Owen, berbatov,Anderson and park

in : kagawa, de jong and baines and maybe martinez

To have the perfect balance in the formation we need a holding passing midfielder(carrick) and a destroyer(dont have) as well, and rooney needs the freedom to go top and not drop back. As much as i like the wellbeck rooney partnership i see three attacking midfielders behind rooney being more effective. The 4-4-2 can still continue at home to weaker oppostion but I really do think fergie needs to change it.

Strootman would/could be the destroyer next to Carrick.

De Gea

Rafael Vidic Ferdinand/Evans Baines (please!)

Valencia Carrick Martinez Nani

Kagawa/De jong
ROONEY

MelbourneRed

That team looks very good. Obviously I haven't seen Strootman so can't comment on him in particular, but I like the team.

Not a great fan of Rooney up top on his own - I think he brings a great amount to our overall play and this would be restricted - but with greater service it might work.

I'm a fan of Baines. Evra hasn't been as good as he was for quite a while now, it's sad seeing such a good player not as good as he was. Strangely enough, I thought Evra's performance yesterday was his best defensive display for ages.

Strootman is an attacking midfielder is he not?

Not in the sense of an Ozil type but box-to-box rather than destroyer.

Getting Gaitan and Kagawa would do nothing to the key area of central midfield we need, plus they essentially cover the same area. Both cover for number 10/wide positions.

Gaitan would be the worst buy of the two as he'd miles more expensive, and doesnt help the club in it's strategic business names. Plus he's not as good as Kagawa anyway.

We need first team starters centrally in the midfield (one defensively strong, one creative but in the Modric/Scholes style) and ideally full backs to cover/compete with Evra and Rafael.

business names meant 'aims'!!

To the original OP

B) outs: Owen, berbatov,Anderson,park, scholes
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Sir Alex has confirmed that Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs will be here next season, and so will Dimitar Berbatov. He will not be sold unless the fee is a good offer.

"Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs will be here next year and, unless someone makes an offer we want for Berbatov, he will, too."

Kagawa in my opinion is done deal, but we need a powerhouse in our midfield, if only there was a new Roy Keane around