Manchester United Thread 25/26 - Teamtalk/Transfers/Gossip Mod Note in OP 26.09.24

Ugarte had one on Sunday night and he's increasingly looking like he won't survive long term at the club. He's defo a pressing trigger for teams now.

I would give him some leeway for Sunday though in so far as the pitch being awful played into Everton's hands and style. They could be much more aggressive in their pressing than they usually would but even accounting for the pitch he was poor.

Seems to be very few deep lying playmakers around but I think we will see someone signed in that position.

Surely the problem is that pre-season looks a lot like last season, no?

The season starts next week, a season in which it is critical that the manager starts well.

And yet we still have the same gaping hole in midfield that was a huge problem last season. They still can't control the ball against anybody.

Start the season with the opposition yet again running through the middle of the pitch and all this ends very quickly.

The issue still being the appropriate amount is a lot of money to be spending on potential this summer. €90M is a lot of money when your midfield still parts like the red sea and if anything happens to Ugarte then it's Casemiro that comes in. And he runs like someone in slow motion.

As it stands none of our 4 midfielders have stepped up to the plate.

Collyier is young with but very energetic but may be lacking in quality and Casemiro is the complete opposite.

Was hoping in pre season we would see a much improved Ugarte and Mainoo but neither are convincing as of now.

Really not sure what you're failing to understand with the Sesko 'bid'!?

There are 2 clubs competing for his signature. There are clearly things going on to try and get the deal done. There is zero point in getting into a bidding war. Newcastle are in a desperate position and hence why they are trying to force the issue.

There were people giving out about Mbuemo transfer too when it was clear there were things happening behind the scenes and low and behold when the transfer got done it transpired that there were numerous moving parts to the deal and hence the delay.

I'd imagine the Sesko deal is not one that is going to run and run. If I had to guess, a clearer picture will start to develop on it in the next day or two if not today.

Just looking at goals underestimates how detrimental Hojlund was. He averaged 18 touches per game. He won 25% of his aerial duals and 35% of his ground duels. He averaged a tackle every 10 games and an interception every 20.

It’s not an exaggeration to say he was the worst player in the league to play so many minutes.

He was historically bad.

Right then these long sagas aren't a problem for years. People happy with this window best not complain about a weak/understrength squad.

I'd rather us find a solution to CM and get a stop gap this summer for CF. Even if Sesko or Watkins don't come in we still need another CF and can't rely on Hojlund to be first choice.

Zirkzee is grand to change a game but wouldn't want to see him as first choice because he's not an out and out 9. Chido is way too inexperienced to be our only out and out 9 besides Hojlund.

Unless they gamble with Mbeumo at CF and leave Bruno at 10, and spend the big money on a CM. But would rather see Mbeumo or Amad at 10 than Bruno. Feel you'll find him back next to the two CMs trying to get on the ball if its not getting to him quickly enough.

Antony and Sancho are way worse.

Sanchez, Sancho, Pogba...

3 epically bad transfers for various reasons.

Onana surely up there for one of the worst aswell.

Thanks ETH.

How long does it take him to make his mind up. If he's not 110 percent certain he wants to join us we should move on. Cunha and Mbuemo wanted to join us no matter what hence we had a free run at them.

Sanchez was brutal, but up until that point had been outstanding for club and country. His attitude was a disgrace, and his form fell of a cliff after he arrived. And obviously the wages he was on caused major problems for a long time afterwards. Hard to argue with that considering, how it panned out, I guess. But I think most of us were delighted when he signed

The amount spent on Hojlund was ridiculous, after just a handful of goals over half a season with Atalanta.

Don't think it's that simple.

From what's being drip fed in the press, it seems like he would probably prefer us but I'd imagine there is a lot of money being thrown around.

I don't get this whole, if he doesn't 100% want us over Newcastle then we should move on. Newcastle are a viable option and can offer champions league football. Strikers are extremely rare and it seems like he has been identified as someone with huge scope. You don't just move on because he hasn't instantly said 'Utd or nobody' especially if there are very few viable alternatives for the position.