I'd be happy with the semi-finals in all honesty, as I think we'll play either Barcelona or Real Madrid there.

However, if we perform as we did last season in the CL, but actually add some cohesive defending into the team, then we can go far, as we scored plenty and looked really dangerous whenever we went forward (discounting that last Basel game.)

hawkwind:

Hope I am wrong but I feel we could struggle and actually struggle to make the CL for the following season! Of the big clubs we seem to have the worst midfield and Kagawa alone will not make that much of an improvement but I am always pleased to be proved wrong when I make such negative remarks! And come what may my heart will always be Utd!

And out of the supposed "big clubs" where did we finish last season?

Newcastle finished above Chelsea and Liverpool... two supposedly "big clubs", Spurs and Arsenal finished 15+ points behind us

Spurs could end up selling their stars, Chelsea need a full rebuild, Arsenal will again hope to rely on Wilshere and with RVP looking like he could be sold really I dont see us finding it hard to qualify for the CL.

Our only main competitior who will look to strengthen is City... The rest of the teams need to catch up..

So please how can we really have the worst midfield out of the top 7 teams?

why not for heaven sake,we wont be far off it,mark my words,fit squad,couple of additions,,we"ll be there,no worries..

Max Kamarake:

makaveli1:

if we play a proper 3 man midfeild then yes, if we play 2 upfront in a 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 like we did so naively in the champions league final, then we wont be getting anywhere near the trophy.

I dont think that playing a 4-4-2 is necessarily a bad thing, its just that we need to have the right personnel to play a 4-4-2 in Europe!

you could have the best two 4-4-2 central midfeilders theres ever been, you go up against Barcelona, put them up against Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, Messi, All 4 who live in their house on the middle of the pitch keeping possession, we will be out numbered 4 to 2 and probably played through, so playing that same system with Carrick and Giggs vs them is even more shocking, still cant beleive we did that!

makaveli1:

if we play a proper 3 man midfeild then yes, if we play 2 upfront in a 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 like we did so naively in the champions league final, then we wont be getting anywhere near the trophy.

I dont think that playing a 4-4-2 is necessarily a bad thing, its just that we need to have the right personnel to play a 4-4-2 in Europe!

Hope I am wrong but I feel we could struggle and actually struggle to make the CL for the following season! Of the big clubs we seem to have the worst midfield and Kagawa alone will not make that much of an improvement but I am always pleased to be proved wrong when I make such negative remarks! And come what may my heart will always be Utd!

I agree with UnitedDons! With a defensive minded,box-to-box midfielder added to our ranks,we might have a glimmer of a chance, but with what we have now and with SAF insisting that we dont need a defensive midfielder, I pray that Fletcher gets well and hits form real quick!

if we play a proper 3 man midfeild then yes, if we play 2 upfront in a 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 like we did so naively in the champions league final, then we wont be getting anywhere near the trophy.

XdanielredX:

DE GEA

RAFAEL SMALLING/JONES VIDIC EVRA

CARRICK

CLEVERLEY SCHOLES/FLETCHER

NANI KAGAWA

ROONEY

SUBS: LINDEGAARD, JONES/SMALLING, EVANS, FLETCHER/SCHOLES, VALENCIA, YOUNG, WELBECK/HERNANDEZ

I think with this team/squad and rotating through the games we can do a job in Europe and the PL, and the FA and League cup for that matter!

No love for Rio...?

Red:

Not under SAF guidance, no. He is tactically inept in europe, hence why he has only won two ECL in 25 years. We need a dominant midfielder, end of.

Are you seriously having a go at a bloke that's "only won 2" CL trophies? F u c k e n hell.

Matt111:

Thoughts on United's progress personally think we are too slow in the middle too many teams will go through straight the middle of us....I think group stages again or quarter finals...

sorry OP,but i think this is a really stupid thread..if we were leeds utd you'd have to believe we'll do well,otherwise whats the point.if you go into a compo knowin your team isnt going to do any good why be there,give the place to another team who do BELIEVE in there team..believin you can do the job in hand is half the battle.bottelin it shows your true colours on the field imo..

Utd will remain an european powerhouse still and i think its gotta be s/final in d next CL before we get booted out but that doesn't mean its gotta be a smooth and pleasant season for the lack of quality playmaker in the starting lineup.

With the squad we have right now we wont win it,thats for sure.

I can see us reach the quarters,maybe the semi final,depends on who we meet.

Matt111:

Thoughts on United's progress personally think we are too slow in the middle too many teams will go through straight the middle of us....I think group stages again or quarter finals...

Kagawa will add great pace to the midfield and i can see Jones being used more in midfield next season and he is very quick, add to that the return of all our player that were injured last season or weren't fully fit and we will be right back competing at the top of europe, i also think there will be another 2 players added before the transfer window shuts and that will also make us stronger..

I'd expect us to perform much better next season in the Champions League. Kagawa arriving should allow us to be able to play a 4-2-3-1 formation more efficiently. I don't expect to be right up there though. I'd reckon it'll take another couple of seasons before some of the current lot reach their peak. The transition is still happening.