If anyone can coach offensive minded players to play defense, it's Mourinho.

I'm not saying Verratti is a good DM in the sense that he's a good tackler or stays put, but his early years and in the Italian NT's he's afaik primarily played in a similar role to Pirlo. A deep lying, free playmaking role and he's excelled.

If Pogba and Herrera are too stupid to fall back every now and again, it's their fault, not Verratti, just because he might be the one starting furthest back in the line up.

Blind did really well as a DMC that defends and distributes evenly. He's not really fast enough to run with the strikers and he's not really good enough to go to the box in attack, but he's good at distributing, has good enough vision and a good touch on the ball, while also being an above average defender. Him as the anchor/DMC/whatever-you-want-to-call-it-DM with two more offensive minded players would be great imo. I honestly think he can be far greater than Carrick ever was at that position.

Pogba and Herrera needs to defend too and so long as you keep pulling the "Veratti is a good DM"-hype card, we have nothing left to discuss. Never said he had to be a DM, which to me is a Makelele/Vieira/Kante kind of player, but a (D)MC. Just a playmaker lying slightly deeper than Herrera-Pogba would.

In FM terms I would make Herrera and Pogba box-to-box players and Verratti a Deep Lying Playmaker. He can defend. He has a rather free role and his role is focused on the offensive distribution on the ball. The team relies on the b2b players to do the defending, as much as the DLP.

Manchester City signed Bernardo Silva.

4/5 Monaco dudes left.

Lamba wrote:

Manchester City signed Bernardo Silva.

4/5 Monaco dudes left.

An excellent player, but I wasn't happy when I heard that we wanted him, as we don't need this type of player. He would be better as a number 10, as he's not quick enough for a winger. We already got Mata who is a similar player and we already got other 2-3 players for a number 10 role, so Bernardo Silva would be a rather luxury buy for us. We need other types of players in other positions. I am not so sure that even City needed him that much, as they already have David Silva, De Bruyne, Sane, Sterling etc.

We need players who can control games.
We need players who are hungry for success.
We need players who can take on the United soul.

He's played pretty much all over the offence (apart from striker afaik) and he's been doing excellent. No, he's not a Ryan Giggs type winger but he's excellent at challenging and crossing from the wing or cutting inside and do a pass.

I don't care if he fits some arbitraty box. Good, young players should always be wanted.

He is, after all, 4-5-6 years younger than our other offensive players, so he could be rotational with the rest of the squad, learn the United way (if Mourinho learns it at some point) and develop into a regular in the long run with Rashford, Martial, etc.

Also I really hope that we get Mbappe and if we do, it'd be excellent to have a "support" player he knows already.

That's OK, but is it worth paying around 50mil pounds for a player who is not really a necessity?

Moreover, apart from Mata, Lingard, Martial, Mkhitaryan, we also have young players like Harrop and Andreas Pereira, so I'd say we are pretty full there.

If, however, we want to buy a winger, I'd prefer someone with pace like Lucas Moura or maybe Douglas Costa.

Even Mahrez might be a good buy, in case his price came to some normal levels after a pretty average season. He has shown that he can be a top winger in EPL, but last season he has played without motivation. A move to a big club with top players around might make him a very dangerous weapon in attack.

We are also linked with Bale, who would be a perfect player for Man Utd, but my doubts would be his age (28 in the Summer) and also some worrying injuries last season.

I'd put him ahead of Mata and Lingard.

Lingard is only a player at United 'cause he's from the academy. Mata I've always liked, but he seems more like an above average player than a really good one. Also Mourinho sold him once before, it could happen again.

I'm rooting for the youngsters from the Academy, but if we have to play Young or Lingard more than 10 matches per season, I'd have bought Silva without thinking twice.

Imo, we should do the "FM-approach" and stop buying players who are already in their prime. Especially when looking at our current squad. I see plenty of players at 28-36 years old who are either at a point in their career where they're going downhill, or at a point where they've seemed more energetic, hungry and well just plain good.

I'd like to see more chances on young players like Depay and like Nani and Ronaldo before him. It might cost us, but it just might be really great too.

I wouldn't gamble on any Leicester player, apart from Schmeicel and Kanté (who also joined a rival instead of us).

Looking at Ajax and Monaco, I'm sure there's a piece or five we could pick up relatively cheap and develop.

Looking at our current squad, outside of Ibra there's no wow-factor at all and we weren't really better in the final against Ajax, which is a disgrace. So there's plenty of areas to improve, if nothing else then to send a message to the resident sleepers.

Well. Carrick's testomonial for sure is not gonna be his last game with the reds. He just signed contract extension for one more year.

Knowing Mourinho Zlatan is gonna get such as well so as Rooney in few years when his contract ends. :D

I think it's complicated with Zlatan. There are a few questions to be asked - is he happy to be a squad player instead of a sure starter? Because I'm not sure he will come back to the same level right away. And even if he comes, the team will be playing in a way that isn't centered around him as he will be missing for the first half of the season so it might not be that great for him.

And secondly - is he happy with a salary that is likely to depend on him being fit? Because I can't see the club taking a risk with having to pay him some 5m when he can only play a few games.

I do hope Zlatan wants to continue at a top club and play a role at United, helping the younger players develop and to be a part of our success. This is probably his last chance of winning CL - he won't get into another club that aspires to win CL IMO.

As for Rooney - I'm pretty sure he is leaving this summer. He's been a squad player for the last year and I see no reason why he might become better next season. I can't see him playing ahead of Rashford, Martial or Zlatan as a striker and Mata/Miki/Pogba are ahead of him as a number 10 surely.

Oh - and I'm glad Carrick got his extension. He is a good squad player who will be effective against smaller sides and can do a job against anyone if/when we have injuries or need to rotate.

About Carrick I'm happy as well but what's according to Rooney- I don't believe he's going anywhere cause his price and wage is way too high for anyone to want him. About Zlatan, yes probably it would be great to have him as a squad bplayer with significant wage cut but for god sakes, he's The Zlatan! I cant' see him agreeing for those terms, as he told himself he came as Legend and will go as God! He's ego won't allow nothing to be smaller as it used to be. :)

As for Rooney - I think he'll want to play more than receive money. The first google search answer estimates that he might have around 100m already. I don't see what his motivation would be to earn some 10 more million if this also brings ridicule and unhappy fans because he can't pull his weight at United.

I don't see him moving to China. I think he'd be happy to move to Everton and see if he can make it work there. And if that doesn't work out he might just retire.

As for Zlatan - I think he can redefine what it means to be god. Because god can also be the one who teaches the rest of the squad how and what to do to succeed. But then again what do I know about being Zlatan. I'm just a simple mortal being :)

If Mourinho is searching for a left back, then he should definitely consider Theo Hernández from Alaves (I think he is on loan from Atletico Madrid, but I'm not sure).

Already a brilliant player at only 19 years, but above all a great potential.

Personally, I would like Luke Shaw to succeed and take the LB place as a starter, but in case this doesn't happen, I'd be pleased if we brought Hernández.

There are rumours that he is joining Real Madrid this Summer, but then he'd not be a starter, as they already have Marcelo and I don't think they'd let him go. If the kid goes to Real to be a bench player, he's stupid, as he could be a first team player in almost any team.

Nemanja77 wrote:

If Mourinho is searching for a left back, then he should definitely consider Theo Hernández from Alaves (I think he is on loan from Atletico Madrid, but I'm not sure).

Already a brilliant player at only 19 years, but above all a great potential.

Personally, I would like Luke Shaw to succeed and take the LB place as a starter, but in case this doesn't happen, I'd be pleased if we brought Hernández.

There are rumours that he is joining Real Madrid this Summer, but then he'd not be a starter, as they already have Marcelo and I don't think they'd let him go. If the kid goes to Real to be a bench player, he's stupid, as he could be a first team player in almost any team.

I'm Atlético de Madrid fan, and yes, if he is going to Real Madrid, he is stupid.

Not about the rivalry, but he isn't ging to play many matches with Marcelo there. Maybe with Filipe it¡s difficult too, but Filipe is older and probably need more rest.

Anyway, I don't think Theo is ready to be a starter in a first level team. He is playing in Alaves and made a good season, but in a 5 defender formation, and without exigence...

Anyway, I don't think Theo is ready to be a starter in a first level team. He is playing in Alaves and made a good season, but in a 5 defender formation, and without exigence...

Maybe you're right. I haven't really watched him much, but I see great potential in this player. Strength, pace, a good left foot, determination...

I'd like us to buy one or two such players each Summer, something similar to what Fergie used to do, instead of going for the flavor of the month/season players at all costs.

Of course, the right combination of young players and some more experienced ones is always necessary.

A story about United wanting to sign Ivan Perisic just won't go away.

In Italy, the media are saying there is a concrete interest from United (confirmed by Inter) who have allegedly agreed personal with the player's agent.

However, Inter is asking for about £48mil, while United is ready to offer £38mil.

I cannot understand why would Mourinho want to buy Perisic and pay a huge amount of money. Imo, we should strive for better players and there certainly are better than Perisic. He is a very good player, but United should do better. Moreover, he is 28 years old and I think we should bring younger players. Bringing someone who is more than 27 should be only if the player is really special, like for example Gareth Bale.

I totally agree. I can't understand the logic if this isn't some made up story.

38m for a 28yo player is just bad business, unless that player is about as good as Van Persie.. Van Persie was about 6 months older and cost a third less. Even if we assume that inflation means the price is the same for the two - I'm sure you couldn't say that Perisic is as good as RVP was at that time?

I also agree that if we are to look for someone in that age group, then it either has to be a defender(they just play longer at a high level) or someone who is just among the very best in the world.

This feels like Fellaini/Mata/Schneiderlin all over again for me. I have nothing against those player, but I don't like such transfers. Schneiderlin perhaps was ok at the time, but looking at who we signed last summer it feels like he wasn't really up to the standard we should look for.

Maybe Mourinho is just doing a favor to his ex-club Inter and trying to draw PSG to offer more money :)

Jokes apart, I am trying to figure out why would Mourinho want United to buy Perišić.

Is it because he is a winger who contributes also in defensive duties? I don't know this player so well, but I must presume so, as I don't see any other special reason for us to buy him and see him as an improvement.

There are also stories that we might sell Martial if we buy Perišić, but for now I will just discard those as rumours.

Hi Guys

I have also been following the news about Perisic, and I agree with you that the price tag is extremely overpriced, but that is just what happens when an English club approach about a player the pricetag increases extremely.

But other then the price, (which I really don't care about, let the Glazers pay up, they milk united enough every year) im really exited about Perisic and I can see why mourinho likes him.

he can play all over the attack: AML, AMR, AMC even forward, he is good with both legs, he is creative and a team player.

The age think dosen't really concern me to much we need "older" experienced players, so I think he would fit in just perfect with united and Mourinho.

Even if he is better defensively than Martial or just overall slightly better than him, then this is something that I don't particularly like. If such a deal goes through, then it confirms the short-term nature of Jose. He isn't thinking 10 years ahead when he buys someone. If he looked at his job as someone who needs to take care of the club for until he grows old, then he wouldn't do such a deal.

Buying 28yo players is rarely a good strategy if you're into managing the club in the long term. First of all they'll play at a high level max 5 years, with attacking players most probably 3 or 4. Secondly - they won't become part of the club like those who stay 10+ years. Thirdly - you'll have to replace them every 5 years, which means that if you want to keep the club at a high level, you must make good transfers every 5 years. If you do it every 10 years, then you can gamble much more in the transfer market - if you do get a hit, then he'll be there for a long time. And every transfer is a gamble - you can't be sure someone will be a success. I mean look at Mkhitaryan - Bundesliga player of the year, should be one of the main men right away. Couldn't get into the team until December? In the end he's been good, but only Pogba, Martial, Di Maria, Rio and Mata have cost more. The prices have inflated since 2000 obviously, but so far he's just been a good player, not a brilliant one. He was a much needed improvement to our attack, but he is not Ronaldo/Rooney quality. Not even Van Persie quality. Probably comparable to Nani in terms of end product.. But Nani arrived as a young boy, Miki came at the age of 27... Even if he does manage to raise his game and do brilliantly, he'll only do it for 2-3 more seasons. While when we bought Nani and he had a good season we were looking at 10 more seasons of a quality player. Unfortunately his injuries kept him from being great all that time, but the difference is clear IMO.

That's why the transfer strategy at United should be about bringing in under 23 players who have the talent to become great(players like Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele for example) and then maybe one or two players per every five years who are in their prime and who just add to the quality of the team. But that's usually when some of the previous younger players haven't been able to live up to the expectations for some reason.

I'll be unhappy if we buy someone like Perisic. Nothing personal and I'll support them once they come, but if Jose requests such players, then he is dropping the ball in that part of the management.

The age think dosen't really concern me to much we need "older" experienced players, so I think he would fit in just perfect with united and Mourinho.

We do have experience in the squad.

If I don't mention Carrick and Zlatan, then we still have:
Young(31), Rooney(31), Valencia(31), Mata(29), Mkhitaryan(28), Smalling(27), Rojo(27), Blind(27), Darmian(27), Herrera(27) who are already quite experienced.

That's 12 players in our this seasons squad that should be experienced. I don't think we need more of that.


To be honest I wouldn't be excited about Perisic even at a lower price. If we were to buy someone of that age, then we should look for the quality of Bale for example.

chuksi wrote:

The age think dosen't really concern me to much we need "older" experienced players, so I think he would fit in just perfect with united and Mourinho.

We do have experience in the squad.

If I don't mention Carrick and Zlatan, then we still have:
Young(31), Rooney(31), Valencia(31), Mata(29), Mkhitaryan(28), Smalling(27), Rojo(27), Blind(27), Darmian(27), Herrera(27) who are already quite experienced.

That's 12 players in our this seasons squad that should be experienced. I don't think we need more of that.


To be honest I wouldn't be excited about Perisic even at a lower price. If we were to buy someone of that age, then we should look for the quality of Bale for example.

Yeah we do have experience in the squad but I don't think we have enough experience in the starting 11

Young, Rooney, Mata, Blind (Darmian) is not going to start very much next season IMO then we have Miki, Smalling, Rojo and Herrera left maybe De Gea or Romero as well, thats less then half the starting elleven, IMO that is not enough to compete for the title or champions league, as much as I like seeing all theese youngters playing every week for united I just can't see us winning the title back with all youngters.

I would love us to sign Mbappe, Tielemans etc. and letting them be part of the first team, but im not sure we are going to be title contenders for the next coulpe of seasons then.

I am very exited by Perisic, and are looking forward to see him in the PL, if united can get a deal done for him :-)