To be successful on a consistent basis is that you need to have a good blend of experience and youth.

We look to a larger scale say over 3-5 seasons or so and invest base on that time scale, where as other clubs just look to the present we look to the future, which is why we invest in players like Smalling, Jones, Powell etc.

Generally we look to younger players in the transfer windows, if they are experienced then they are usually well established in the PL. At the minute we can see that SAF is building for the future, investments in younger players Smalling, Jones, Hernandez, Powell, Kagawa etc coupled with one or two established players like Young. We are still in a transitional period in my opinion, we have a great range of ages at the minute the youth: Welbeck, Smalling, Jones, Cleverley Experienced: Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Giggs, Scholes, Park, Carrick coupled with the mid experienced players like Rooney, Nani, Valencia, Young, Evans these are the players we should be building around.

In terms of signings it depends on what type of player we are looking for, in my opinion creativity isn't the problem so personally I would look at more a defensive sided box to box midfielder, in terms of that position we have Carrick and Fletcher who are both well experienced so investing in a younger player 22-25 age range would be better suited so someone like Martinez or Strootman would be a better investment.

If we are looking for a creative mid we have Scholes, Giggs for experience and Cleverley, Anderson, Powell on the younger side so I would say we are fine in this area but looking at Giggs and Scholes it will probably be their last season so someone with more experience to settle them in before such players leave could be a good idea and a Modric or Cabaye would be more ideal than a younger player.

I think it's a valid point and a good first post.

First of all, youth investment and development is a huge part of our club. Every pre season tour sees another name given a chance to shine and prove themselves. I think this year it will be one of Larnell Cole or Jesse Lingard who are given a chance.

United's policy (and it's a very good one) is to bring players in at a young age, usually between 17-23, and groom them into the history, tradition and qualities of the club. The are taught the right mentality and attitude to have and told that they are at the right club. Think in 3-4 years, Kagawa could well be one of the best players in world football worth in excess of 30m and we got him for 15! We also look for talent that want to come to our club, not come for the money. Agents play a big part nowadays and they just hinder the situation.

Having said all that, I agree that sometimes you need to bring in established, experienced players to add the quality straight way. Modric fits that bill for me, whether we get him or not is a different issue. I think the deal we have made already are great. Powell basically backs up what I said previously and he will be a great player.

Kagawa is an absolute maestro. I wanted him above everyone (I am not just saying that), including Hazard, because he is exactly what we need. He is a very clever player and one that will improve our link between midfield and attack and I am tipping him to get 15 goals this year (no pressure Shinji).

We have an extremely well run club and our vision is better than all others. Plus we have a genius at the helm who will only take us in the right direction.

silvester88:

19reds89:

Good first post mate.

I think everyone can agree that it was the first team that needed addressing this summer, the quality in depth and youths is there, just a few additions to strengthen the starting line up were vitally needed and nowhere more so than the centre of the pitch.

The signing of Kagawa filled a position we lacked last year in terms of an out and out goal scoring midfielder, adding spark, creativity and movement to our midfield. He is also at an age where he is able to slip into the 1st team without much work, bonus. He will compliment our current attackers fantastically and gives us other options in terms of formation changes etc.

The names of Baines Modric and recently De Rossi, I think back up your point. They can come in and steady the ship adding much needed quality to the starting line up whilst not being at an age which will hamper our talented youngsters.

The younger names being mentioned would be great to see here but at the same time may not be entirely realistic when you do consider the budding youngsters we already have. On the other hand though, we have seen with Morrisson, Pogba and possibly Fryers that our kids are more than willing to jump ship in search of more regular football / money instead of waiting for there inevitable chance at OT. Difficult one in that sense when SAF clearly stated he wants to build a youthful team focused on speed.

Totally agree.Its summit that SAF has to deal with.I think its great that we have the mixture of both that we can invest in young players develop them aswell as bring through our own when we feel they are ready and make 1 or 2 big name signings like we have done over the years but we mainly like to develop young players whether from within of invest in them know what i mean.Its important that we have that experience and youthfulness know what i mean and i think we have that.

You're right mate, it's something we are renowned for bringing in youth, something SAF is brilliant at doing.

I think we have been stuck a little in the last couple of seasons where we haven't seen much progression of the youngsters within being pushed up to 1st team, while at the same time we haven't invested in a "World Class" player. I am not sure what the reasons are behind these two points but from what the press tells us we have been in for a player of this calibre but have failed i.e. Benzema, Villa etc and we all know Fergie isn't the type to panic buy such as Wenger did last summer.

This summer could well be the summer we have been waiting for and our patience may well be paying off. Some good names being linked / already purchased in Kagawa and Powell and we may well see more progression from within the ranks. Either way, I think it's fair to say this summer will be more pleasing than a few of the recent ones lol.

A good mix of both is certainly key. Last year proved that experience alone isn't enough and sometimes you have to move past the older generation to bring in some fresh faces. Something England too need to do and ay just be starting to do.

19reds89:

Good first post mate.

I think everyone can agree that it was the first team that needed addressing this summer, the quality in depth and youths is there, just a few additions to strengthen the starting line up were vitally needed and nowhere more so than the centre of the pitch.

The signing of Kagawa filled a position we lacked last year in terms of an out and out goal scoring midfielder, adding spark, creativity and movement to our midfield. He is also at an age where he is able to slip into the 1st team without much work, bonus. He will compliment our current attackers fantastically and gives us other options in terms of formation changes etc.

The names of Baines Modric and recently De Rossi, I think back up your point. They can come in and steady the ship adding much needed quality to the starting line up whilst not being at an age which will hamper our talented youngsters.

The younger names being mentioned would be great to see here but at the same time may not be entirely realistic when you do consider the budding youngsters we already have. On the other hand though, we have seen with Morrisson, Pogba and possibly Fryers that our kids are more than willing to jump ship in search of more regular football / money instead of waiting for there inevitable chance at OT. Difficult one in that sense when SAF clearly stated he wants to build a youthful team focused on speed.

Totally agree.Its summit that SAF has to deal with.I think its great that we have the mixture of both that we can invest in young players develop them aswell as bring through our own when we feel they are ready and make 1 or 2 big name signings like we have done over the years but we mainly like to develop young players whether from within of invest in them know what i mean.Its important that we have that experience and youthfulness know what i mean and i think we have that.

Good first post mate.

I think everyone can agree that it was the first team that needed addressing this summer, the quality in depth and youths is there, just a few additions to strengthen the starting line up were vitally needed and nowhere more so than the centre of the pitch.

The signing of Kagawa filled a position we lacked last year in terms of an out and out goal scoring midfielder, adding spark, creativity and movement to our midfield. He is also at an age where he is able to slip into the 1st team without much work, bonus. He will compliment our current attackers fantastically and gives us other options in terms of formation changes etc.

The names of Baines Modric and recently De Rossi, I think back up your point. They can come in and steady the ship adding much needed quality to the starting line up whilst not being at an age which will hamper our talented youngsters.

The younger names being mentioned would be great to see here but at the same time may not be entirely realistic when you do consider the budding youngsters we already have. On the other hand though, we have seen with Morrisson, Pogba and possibly Fryers that our kids are more than willing to jump ship in search of more regular football / money instead of waiting for there inevitable chance at OT. Difficult one in that sense when SAF clearly stated he wants to build a youthful team focused on speed.

To me it dosnt matter we just need a quality midfielder another LB and RB and possably another striker.Yes we have loads of talent coming through our club and they can all get better and better but if we sign new players whether young or old alongs they improve us thats the main thing.

redmu88:

There are so many rumours flying around linking united with every young talent in Europe, names such as Strootman, rodriguez and alcantara being touted daily. I have to ask if we actually need this type of player? Don't get me wrong, the thought of these players in a Utd shirt is exciting and I'd be delighted if we signed them but we already have a huge wealth of developing talent in the squad. Gk De Gea; DF Da Silvas, Jones and Smalling; MF Cleverley, ST Welbeck. What the team needs is an injection of quality. I regularly see posts about players, most commonly Modric and Baines, saying that at 27 they are too old to join utd, which I find amazing. When you sign a new player for the first team, it is a huge bonus if they're 23, but the priority is the quality. If we got Modric or Baines as examples, they are at the peak of their career and would offer 3-4 years at their best. Who knows what we could win in that time, after which they may look to move on. And maybe by then our current youngsters will be world beaters. My general point is that I believe that the squad already has enough youth/potential stars. What we need is proven players at title winning standard. There may be limitations for us with money and wages but we dont need any more raw talent. I hate to use cliche comparisons but we've all seen what happens when you have a squad full of young potential, just ask Arsene Wenger. I just wondered what people thought about this generally? And maybe we should re-evaluate the signings we're pushing for.

Interesting read and theory. I do think we need some mature players with proven quality but we have that in our ranks with Scholes, Giggs, Rooney, Rio, Vidic, Evra, Carrick (once upon time), Nani.

Dont you think we need more fresh blood and fearless youth that can inspire the players we have and youngsters coming through.

Just made a Manchester United U23 line-up for fun. This proves that we have enough potential and we need quality instead. I think that if we get Modric and Baines, we are done shopping this summer.

There are so many rumours flying around linking united with every young talent in Europe, names such as Strootman, rodriguez and alcantara being touted daily. I have to ask if we actually need this type of player? Don't get me wrong, the thought of these players in a Utd shirt is exciting and I'd be delighted if we signed them but we already have a huge wealth of developing talent in the squad. Gk De Gea; DF Da Silvas, Jones and Smalling; MF Cleverley, ST Welbeck. What the team needs is an injection of quality. I regularly see posts about players, most commonly Modric and Baines, saying that at 27 they are too old to join utd, which I find amazing. When you sign a new player for the first team, it is a huge bonus if they're 23, but the priority is the quality. If we got Modric or Baines as examples, they are at the peak of their career and would offer 3-4 years at their best. Who knows what we could win in that time, after which they may look to move on. And maybe by then our current youngsters will be world beaters. My general point is that I believe that the squad already has enough youth/potential stars. What we need is proven players at title winning standard. There may be limitations for us with money and wages but we dont need any more raw talent. I hate to use cliche comparisons but we've all seen what happens when you have a squad full of young potential, just ask Arsene Wenger. I just wondered what people thought about this generally? And maybe we should re-evaluate the signings we're pushing for.