bon scott:

Well, to cut all these bull****** about summer signings and strengthen our midfield I will tell you just this. I"m sure 2 of these 4 players will be playing for United next season. And those 4 players are: Eden Hazard, Nico Gaitan, Luka Modric and Shinji Kagawa !!! Which two it!s gonna be I really do not know. Now, just wait and you"ll see !

Two?! Bet you they won't. :)

Agree with some of the comments here that Rooney is ready for the armband for both club and country and I would have Fletcher as his deputy providing he can prove his fitness.

Well, to cut all these bull****** about summer signings and strengthen our midfield I will tell you just this. I"m sure 2 of these 4 players will be playing for United next season. And those 4 players are: Eden Hazard, Nico Gaitan, Luka Modric and Shinji Kagawa !!! Which two it!s gonna be I really do not know. Now, just wait and you"ll see !

glory glory from cairo:

19reds89:

The point I'm trying to make is that I believe the time has come to push past the trusty veterans and create a new generation of United greats

.. i think its ok for giggs and scholes (in particular) to stay as long as Fergie adds one midfielder to our squad....i don't think we need to buy lots of players..i think one solid but creative CM wud do the clubs loads of good....we already have a young generation coming through and that's what i felt was our problem last season.. youth and lack of experience cost us..someone like o'shea or brown would have never let everton get to 4-4..but now the young ones have a got a lesson from the school of hard knocks and will only get better and mentally stronger... i think our attacking play is great, we just need one world class signing....and IF and its IF vidic for some reason can't play next season...Rooney has got to get that captain's armband it will rejuvenate his aggression which has dampened slightly this season. we are in serious need of a leader who will nurture the youthful players' skills and come down on them hard when they screw up

Oh god yeah, I haven't an issue with them staying on as long as they do not take up precious spots in the 25 man squad, and as long as they arent relied upon so heavily as they were last year. They should not be considered as first team, starting line up players next year IMO. Just the derby summed everything up wrong with our season for me in those 90 minutes.

These errors you talk about above are absolutely vital in a youngsters progression. What would they learn from being in a team which won every game without making a mistake? Withoubt doubt some of last years results gave a massive reality check to the everbody linked with utd not just the youth, sometimes it is neccessary to witness such things - gives you a base to improve and a moment to look back on as an example of how not to play and so on. They have all been there now, when the younger lads like Jones and co finally get their hands on the title they will apreciate it doubley as much as they would if they had lifted it this year.

Totally agree with Rooney as been captain and still to this day haven't been able to understand the appointment of Pat. Very poor decision in my mind. But is suppose on the other hand, Rooney is naturally a leader so doesn't necessarily need the arm band to be an impact. Would love to see it sooner rather than later though. Maybe his maturity this year will have made a statement to SAF that he is more than ready for the responsibility. Would certainly lift his morale.

19reds89:

The point I'm trying to make is that I believe the time has come to push past the trusty veterans and create a new generation of United greats

.. i think its ok for giggs and scholes (in particular) to stay as long as Fergie adds one midfielder to our squad....i don't think we need to buy lots of players..i think one solid but creative CM wud do the clubs loads of good....we already have a young generation coming through and that's what i felt was our problem last season.. youth and lack of experience cost us..someone like o'shea or brown would have never let everton get to 4-4..but now the young ones have a got a lesson from the school of hard knocks and will only get better and mentally stronger... i think our attacking play is great, we just need one world class signing....and IF and its IF vidic for some reason can't play next season...Rooney has got to get that captain's armband it will rejuvenate his aggression which has dampened slightly this season. we are in serious need of a leader who will nurture the youthful players' skills and come down on them hard when they screw up

stretford77:

Great post, refreshing to see.

I do believe there will be quite abit of activity in the market, with aquisitions and sales. I think the positions we should be looking at are LB, RB, CM, AM.

LB - This is an area which needs reinforcements imo, Evra has declined in the past few seasons with his defending becoming non existent at times. We have some very talented full backs in our ranks with Fryers, Blackett, Giverin, these all have great potential to become our permanent full back in the next few years, I have high hopes for Fryers. Fabio looks set set to go out on loan probably abroad which for me is odd if his future is in the PL, Fryers looks set to go out on loan also leaving us with Evra as our only LB. For this reason I believe we will sign someone in this area, I think someone around 25-28 age range to give a good 3-4 years and allow the younger players to develop ideally Baines.

RB - This positions has been constantly tried an tested yet we only have one natural RB being Rafael, who has his own problems. Smalling and Jones' future is at CB they should both be plying there trade in this area to help them develop, so some competition is needed in this area with Clyne looking a good prospect.

CM - This position is a must imo, I certainly feel that this will be filled in one way or another. At the minute we only have Carrick on a consistent basis, Cleverley has a bright future, Scholes and Giggs aren't getting any younger, Anderson cannot really be relied upon plus he could be sold, Park again could be sold, Fletcher has his illness which isn't going to go away so again we cannot rely on him to be fit and finally Pogba we still do not know how that situation will unfold. In my opinion we need someone more defensive but a box to box midfielder around 21-23 age range to develop alongside the likes of Cleverley so someone like Strootman who has great potential could be an option. On the other hand we could go for a more creative sided CM like Modric although I don't think we will pay his price and could look at a cheaper option in the mould of someone like Cabaye.

AM - With Owen leaving and Berba shortly following we look set to invest in this area in Kagawa/Hazard type player, who would provide cover for Rooney also be used in other positions and could see a slight change in our formation and style of play.

There will be departures with James, Da Laet, Owen already gone I think players like Berba, Bebe, Kuz, Park and Anderson (possibly) soon to follow.

As for your suggestions, Allen looks a brilliant talent and would easily slot into our system, he has great potential and with players building around him he could flourish another player that has flourished with Swansea is Glyfi Sigurdsson currently at Hoffenheim, who is a more goal scoring and creative sided cm. Both would be fairly cheap and are known fans so could be easy to tempt. Clyne I agree with, as for Hoilett he is very talented player no doubt but we don't really need a winger especially not a right footed one and he might struggle to break through where he deserves first team starts.

Good overview! What do you make of the buzz around the young lad Powell from Crewe?

Sigurdsson looks a good player, I'd imagine though that Hoffenheim would be looking for a handsome figure for him and he could be a flash in the pan. So don't know if Fergie would take the gamble on him! If we could get him cheap though could be agreat transfer; think I'd rather Allen though!

united canada:

Good post. One thing I wonder about is whether we should be looking for two or three mature players rather than young ones.. The reason being that we have so many excellent academy and reserve prospects, expecially in midfield, that if we buy more young players they will be at there peak just when players like Petrucci, Daehli, et.al matue. How will we fit them in. Wouldn't it be better if the players we purchase could step right in and provide experience and skill to keep us more competitive for the next two or three years until the youngsters are ready, then they could provide back up experience a la the incomparable Scholes and Giggs now. Also, don't we have the perfect player to pair with Carrick in Tunnicliffe? Just some thoughts, What do you all think.

That's a good point of view, only thinkg will Tunniclife be able to step it up? Maybe a season playing for one of the lower placed Premiership clubs?

19reds89:

Thought this was a fantastic post and definitely worth the lenghty read. One of the more sensible and educated threads on this forum for some time.

I do agree with you on the vast majority but yeah I do think the figures could do with a re think as someone has already pointed out.

The fact that SAF again is entering yet another season with his two veterans does worry me slightly. Although they are fantastic servants and without doubt, two of the biggest legends the club has ever seen, there comes a time when they themselves need to address SAF's faith in them and say "look, it's time". It is very hounorable of Fergie to show such faith in the pair but this club needs to move forward and briniging in youthful replacements from either the accademy or in aquisitions is essential and can not be put on hold for much longer. Last season more than indicated this, none more so than the decisive derby game a short time ago.

I suppose on the other hand you could say the experience the likes of Park, Rio, Evra, let alone Giggs and the Maestro bring to the squad is vital and priceless to the younger generation pushing for a place in the first 11. However, we saw too regularly last season the reluctancy of SAF to throw the youngsters into the mix and I am a firm believer that if Pogba had been shown more faith and handed more apperances, wether they be cameo substitute appearances or a starting spot in games where he sticks Rafael in CM, we wouldn't be witnessing this "saga" of late. The whole Pogba situation is a delicate subject with many fans, but the fact remains in order to aid a healthy transistion from youth team to first team, these talents need games, yet we were left bemused by some of the team selections last year to say the least, games where the 'upcomers' could have gained vital match experience. So to use the guidance of experience argument becomes a little non believeable.

We all know the potential the likes of Pogba, Fryers and co posses, and given the time and trust, they will develop into true world beaters thus saving the need to enter the market and be under pressure to re shape the squad as this summer will prove to do. Loosing out on such players as Hazard to our most bitter rivals will be by no means the end of the world, but a massive blow to fans of our great club who wish to see these kind of players grace the turf at OT (in a United shirt of course!).

The point I'm trying to make is that I believe the time has come to push past the trusty veterans and create a new generation of United greats, as sad as it will be to say goodbye. There is no better time than now, following a trophyless season where our European excurtions were more than poor to say the least, home record not impressive and lack lusture performances were rife. Yes, the injuries to many of the lads and the absence of Vidic could have been crucial, however, this only further highlighted the need for change, stronger players able to cope under such situations, players who can step up to the plate when the more influencial players are absent. I believe we do rely too heavily on a 2/3 players in the team, Rooney for example when missing is sorely missed, more players with the same impact are certainly required much back to the time when Ronaldo, Tevez and Rooney were terrorising defenses. Pressure off their shoulders will be hugely beneficial also. The older generation will decline even further heading into another season and with age comes less games and less chance of a solid foundation within the first team. I am not suggesting a mad spending spree for one minute, two or three players are certainly needed and none more so in the midfield. Gradual promotion of youth into the team to me is also a must if we are to create a close knit base, one that could day resemble the famous class of 92. With the right purchases mixed with the current crop will go a long way to ensuring a bright future for our club. Letting go of the greats may be a start on the long road.

(PS sorry for going on I can't stop sometimes!)

At least you put a bit of thought into your post mate! It's a worry that we are sticking with Giggs and Scholes this year but as you said they are fantastic players and as long as they are used correctly and not always to the expense of some of the younger players then it can only be a benefit. I I think we can all agree we don't want to see another City vs United selection again, too much caution with experience and we really played into their hands. I just hope the youngsters take their chances and the old master isn't left with being resorted to over using the old guard.

I cant see us buying lots of players, and none that would cost a huge amount, i dont think we have the funds for that, i would be very surprised if we bought Hazard. For me the main areas of concern are midfield and attack. In midfield we need someone who can actually run and knows how to tackle, its all very well having two lovely passers of the ball but if we cant get hold of the ball its not much use, and in Scholes and Carrick we must have the slowest midfield in the premiership. In attack, Owen is gone and Berbatov will probably go leaving Rooney and two or three young players as our attack, I would like to see another experienced striker join us, someone in the mould of Drogba, minus the diving and crying. Are there are youth/reserve players that are ready to step up to the first team for the midfield positions, apart from Pogba? What about Tunnicliffe, he seems to have some bite about him?

The signing of Hazard was not a must, but Hazards open comments about joining 1 of Machester clubs and BBC saying he will chose between the 2 clubs next week means it will be very bad for image and morale of fans of club to lose another blow to Mancity. So i think the club now may feel pressure to go out of their way to try to get Hazard. And that could mean 200K a week in wages or whatever....

I dont care about the debt of Glazers or about signing LB/Rb or whatever. This year we need to sign a couple of central midfielders. We have not signed a CM since Hargreaves. And in that time we lost Hargreaves/Fletcher/Gibson/Scholes (but we made him comeback to save our skin last season which was turning into a nightmare by christmas time). Anderson is always injured and Cleverly is unproven and also always injured. If Glazers are not willing/incapable of investing big money to compete with other clubs in europe and PL then there is really no point in them continuing to be owners because things are only going to get worse and we will fall even further behind other clubs who have no debt and can spend. Glazers need the club to be succesful and go deep into champions league to generate the revenue to pay their debt, they also need the plastics to keep buying shirts of new big signings, etc.... This tranfer window is huge for us, and will be very telling of future of club and role of glazers.

Three very realistic and good targets. Realistically, United are going to have to be much more coy over their transfers from now on. That means a) getting them done quickly and b) not splashing the kind of money that City/Madrid/Barca/Chelsea can. I expect Kagawa to sign, too. But can't see Hazard or anyone of that ilk coming.

P.S I'd add Dembele into the list of targets, also.

Good post. One thing I wonder about is whether we should be looking for two or three mature players rather than young ones.. The reason being that we have so many excellent academy and reserve prospects, expecially in midfield, that if we buy more young players they will be at there peak just when players like Petrucci, Daehli, et.al matue. How will we fit them in. Wouldn't it be better if the players we purchase could step right in and provide experience and skill to keep us more competitive for the next two or three years until the youngsters are ready, then they could provide back up experience a la the incomparable Scholes and Giggs now. Also, don't we have the perfect player to pair with Carrick in Tunnicliffe? Just some thoughts, What do you all think.

Great post, refreshing to see.

I do believe there will be quite abit of activity in the market, with aquisitions and sales. I think the positions we should be looking at are LB, RB, CM, AM.

LB - This is an area which needs reinforcements imo, Evra has declined in the past few seasons with his defending becoming non existent at times. We have some very talented full backs in our ranks with Fryers, Blackett, Giverin, these all have great potential to become our permanent full back in the next few years, I have high hopes for Fryers. Fabio looks set set to go out on loan probably abroad which for me is odd if his future is in the PL, Fryers looks set to go out on loan also leaving us with Evra as our only LB. For this reason I believe we will sign someone in this area, I think someone around 25-28 age range to give a good 3-4 years and allow the younger players to develop ideally Baines.

RB - This positions has been constantly tried an tested yet we only have one natural RB being Rafael, who has his own problems. Smalling and Jones' future is at CB they should both be plying there trade in this area to help them develop, so some competition is needed in this area with Clyne looking a good prospect.

CM - This position is a must imo, I certainly feel that this will be filled in one way or another. At the minute we only have Carrick on a consistent basis, Cleverley has a bright future, Scholes and Giggs aren't getting any younger, Anderson cannot really be relied upon plus he could be sold, Park again could be sold, Fletcher has his illness which isn't going to go away so again we cannot rely on him to be fit and finally Pogba we still do not know how that situation will unfold. In my opinion we need someone more defensive but a box to box midfielder around 21-23 age range to develop alongside the likes of Cleverley so someone like Strootman who has great potential could be an option. On the other hand we could go for a more creative sided CM like Modric although I don't think we will pay his price and could look at a cheaper option in the mould of someone like Cabaye.

AM - With Owen leaving and Berba shortly following we look set to invest in this area in Kagawa/Hazard type player, who would provide cover for Rooney also be used in other positions and could see a slight change in our formation and style of play.

There will be departures with James, Da Laet, Owen already gone I think players like Berba, Bebe, Kuz, Park and Anderson (possibly) soon to follow.

As for your suggestions, Allen looks a brilliant talent and would easily slot into our system, he has great potential and with players building around him he could flourish another player that has flourished with Swansea is Glyfi Sigurdsson currently at Hoffenheim, who is a more goal scoring and creative sided cm. Both would be fairly cheap and are known fans so could be easy to tempt. Clyne I agree with, as for Hoilett he is very talented player no doubt but we don't really need a winger especially not a right footed one and he might struggle to break through where he deserves first team starts.

The way the glazers run the club(are club generates enough money just to keep us afloat) we will be lucky to get 1 signing.