Next seasons squad

[HarryBreadbap]

“There has to be no bad character energy.”

Correct, Andros - hence why Romero and Spence have to go.

I’m not particularly sure on on VDV’s character, but I’d keep him as I can’t see RDZ standing for any nonsense from him.

Spence won't be going anywhere.

Quite obvious.

 

[Mikey10]

Spence won't be going anywhere.

Quite obvious.

Quite possibly true, but a shame imo. Not reliable enough on the field and his attitude remains questionable.

 

[metalgear]

i would upgrade porro before spence
spence is better at hold up play and pretty good at 1v1s
imo he is also a better defender than porro

 

[parklane1]

Quite possibly true, but a shame imo. Not reliable enough on the field and his attitude remains questionable.

My thoughts as well, he has talent but [ and i hope i am wrong] he gives the impression he thinks he is better then he really is.

 

[Finney Is Back]

Solanke played just 15 PL games this season.

Please don't tell me he is capable under any manager. He is not.

Part of the reason we were all bricking ourselves on Sunday is because of Dominic Solanke, 15 appearances, three goals, and zero assists.

If this is our ambition, then welcome to another 17th position.

You expected our centre forward to be able to score goals playing Frank ball? Just about the only chance you'll ever get is a header from a corner or a half chance from a second ball after a long throw.

I'll be happy if we sign a new centre forward this summer (I think Richi will be sold) but think it would be sensible to keep Solanke so that we have a second option. I also think he will be quite suited to RDZ's high pressing game (Solanke did quite well playing in Ange's high pressing system I thought).

 

[Raziel]

So my question for everyone is we spent 220M total, 150M net last season. With that in mind, what do you think is realistic? (so much of this thread borders on sell everyone and buy new team). So more a possible, priorities and understanding this is probably window 1 of a multi-window fix.

Lets assume
Scenario A - We have same net spend, can be lifted by sales
Scenario B - We up net spend to 200M + sales
What do you do

For simplicity
- RKM, Bissouma, Davies are all assumed gone/out of contract, don't need to be mentioned
- Fringe youth/loan players, Scarlett, Devine, Philips, Solomon, Taki, etc. are part of plans, I'd say probably Moore/Lankshear/Vuskovic only real options

For me
Scenario A,
- Sell Sarr, Romero, Dragusin, Vic, Richi, a few of the loan players, should get you in 100M-120M on top of budget
- Buy GK (senior backup to Kinsky, 10M), CB (Sensei and Vuskovic, both free), LB (Robertson, free), Palhinha (20M), LW (Savino 40M), leaves you with 150-170M for a CF, CM and perhaps RW? (we don't know medical details of Kudus/Deki). This to me is the United last season scenario, splash on Savino, a CF (Marmoush?) and CM (both could be club record signings) and maybe some left over for a up and coming RW?
- That's a minimum of 8 squad changes with 9 incoming (it's a lot)

Scenario B,
- Same sales except you add Solanke to list, loan one of Gray/Bergvall out
- Buy same list, except add 2nd Striker, 2nd CM, upgrade RW option, maybe buy a keeper to be #1
- 10+ squad changes in and out

Future view
- Summer 2027, Odobert, Tel, Gallagher, Xavi, Maddison, Spence would be potentially for sale if they haven't established themselves under RDZ.

 

[Rafa87]

I think we will see a couple of surprising players on the block as sellable. Players most of us really, really like.

Of the others, I would personally sell Bissouma, Solanke, Dragusin, Souza, Romero (not because I want to - I think he'd be great under RDZ but I don't think he'll ever be reffed fairly in the Prem plus I think he might see this as the time to move on), Vicario, Min-Hyeok, Kota-Tai, obviously not pick up Muani's contract again in any way.

I'd be looking to keep - Kinsky, Palhinha, Madders, Gallagher, Bentancur, Sarr, Gray, Bergvall, VdV, Porro, Danso, Spence, Richy, Kudus, Tel

Players we cannot make decisions on due to injury - Xavi (I'd keep), Odobert (in the end release)

I think RDZ will make a couple of very surprising decisions, and I have a hunch that Bergy might be a player he just doesn't feel fits what he wants to dos!!! In fairness, we will probably need to lose one of Sarr, Grey, Palhinha.

I'd give Moore, Vuskovic and Lankshear another season on loan continuing their developments and with the hope that in 2027/28 we will be back in the CL and need them.

I'd look for fees for Donley, Devine and Philips as I don't think De Zerbi will ever give them the opportunities and I don't think they're top 6 players sadly, but I think all would command decent fees.

Finally, I do not think Deki can come back to be the same player from his injury. Would LOVE to be wrong, and base this view on absolutely no outside knowledge whatsoever...

Out of interest (I’m not saying you’re right or wrong) why are you selling Souza?

 

[thfcsteff]

Out of interest (I’m not saying you’re right or wrong) why are you selling Souza?

In fairness it is a numbers-game choice on my part and based on nothing other than that (not exactly a quaified opinion LOL).
I just think if we're looking to be ruthless are we prepared to gamble that he is decent?
Of course the counter to this is we cannot sell everyone and we need capable backups. Plus he might be excellent!!!!!! Interested to see what RDZ does.

 

[thfcsteff]

You expected our centre forward to be able to score goals playing Frank ball? Just about the only chance you'll ever get is a header from a corner or a half chance from a second ball after a long throw.

I'll be happy if we sign a new centre forward this summer (I think Richi will be sold) but think it would be sensible to keep Solanke so that we have a second option. I also think he will be quite suited to RDZ's high pressing game (Solanke did quite well playing in Ange's high pressing system I thought).

We have to keep one or the other and upgrade.

 

[thfcsteff]

I think Porro and Spence is one area where we are strong and have no need to do anything other than further 'DeZerbi' them.

 

[Muttley]

I think Porro and Spence is one area where we are strong and have no need to do anything other than further 'DeZerbi' them.

Yep, the better question is how do you keep them both happy when you only have domestic football and Spence is no longer utilised as a LB?

Ditto with Romero, VDV, Danso, Senesi and Vuskovic which I've seen in some scenarios?

Each season poses it's own unique challenges. RDZ seems to be all over regular team sheets with minimal changes game to game.

 

[thfcsteff]

Yep, the better question is how do you keep them both happy when you only have domestic football and Spence is no longer utilised as a LB?

Ditto with Romero, VDV, Danso, Senesi and Vuskovic which I've seen in some scenarios?

Each season poses it's own unique challenges. RDZ seems to be all over regular team sheets with minimal changes game to game.

I think we'll end up loaning Vuskovic back for another season, and I genuinely think Cristian is gone. Unless Vuskovic is seen as Romero's replacement and Danso his back-up? Personally I think it'd have to be the other way around until Vuskovic gets used to the Prem...

 

[Gutter Boy]

We throw away Vuskovic's homegrown status if he's loaned again, which seems madness

 

[Muttley]

I think we'll end up loaning Vuskovic back for another season, and I genuinely think Cristian is gone. Unless Vuskovic is seen as Romero's replacement and Danso his back-up? Personally I think it'd have to be the other way around until Vuskovic gets used to the Prem...

Admittedly, I don't know too much about Senesi but you would have to believe he would join because he's a first eleven player. Otherwise, as a free agent and 29 years old, you would find a place where you play.

Also, play out the scenario that Romero leaves. Where is he going and for how much? He has just signed a new contract and his stock will be sky high. Who would pay £70-80m in this market? That is surely his market rate.

 

[thfcsteff]

Admittedly, I don't know too much about Senesi but you would have to believe he would join because he's a first eleven player. Otherwise, as a free agent and 29 years old, you would find a place where you play.

Also, play out the scenario that Romero leaves. Where is he going and for how much? He has just signed a new contract and his stock will be sky high. Who would pay £70-80m in this market? That is surely his market rate.

We'll see. I don't think VdV is going anywhere. Perhaps we'll see VdV at LB more this season too. Having three very good left-sided defenders is something we've needed forever. I doubt Udogie has more than 25 games a season in him. With Romero, I think we may end up accepting a modest profit over market rate if everyone agrees it needs to happen. I'd personally be delighted to see him stay as I think RDZ is the perfect manager for him. But yeah, as said, I don't think this league wants him around...

 

[Surfless]

Solanke played just 15 PL games this season.

Please don't tell me he is capable under any manager. He is not.

Part of the reason we were all bricking ourselves on Sunday is because of Dominic Solanke, 15 appearances, three goals, and zero assists.

If this is our ambition, then welcome to another 17th position.

Have you looked at his goal to miss ratio? I haven't but based on the fact that first Ange and then Frank starved him of service, only someone naive and /or blinkered would take a view on Solanke's performance levels to date. I suspect with a team geared to create chances from a slow build up to an explosive attack, Solanke will be perfectly suited.

Ange used him to close down from the front and Frank was denied a lot of him and then when he had him had no plan to get the ball forward in a way that suited him.