Michael

Terry is about a year away from retirement, Ivanovic had a rapid decline in form, Chalobah is young and was probably never going to realistically break into our first team, Zouma is only out on loan and I think that will do him wonders, Mikel had run his race and Oscar didn't really suit our game plan. Matic also had a dip in form, though I would rather he stay for the extra depth and Costa is obviously world class, but we replaced him with Morata. Only Costa and, to a certain extent, Matic are major losses to the squad. We do need more players, nobody is denying that fact, but we can't realistically expect to spend 300m on players, because with prices are these days and the players you all want to see come in, that's what it's going to cost us. We've already spent 130m on three players, and getting in another 3 top class players is going to cost at least that again.

Yes, but like I said, we can't just go and pick out two or three of the world's best RWB's and be done with it. At this point there are no world class players that are available, and even if they were they would be costing us 60-70m easily. Ox may not be the best RWB in the world, but he's still a good option and he's semi-available. I'd rather us get him in than get nobody in at all. Plus being the EPL Champions doesn't have the same pull as it used to. We've lost out to some quality players already because sadly money talks right now. I don't agree with it, but this is the world we are in right now.

Exactly. It just seems like we're selling for the sake of selling at this point. Kante, Matic, Bakayoko and Cesc is a great quartet of midfielders. It's going to be a long season and all of those players would have a part to play. As it stands, getting Baka in only to sell Matic is like robbing Peter to pay Paul. If we had another player lined up then I would feel a little better about Matic leaving (only a little, because I still think it's a mistake selling to United, no matter what the price is).

What we need and what we can get are two different things. It would be nice if we had a 400m budget, but we don't. What player, that is available for a reasonable price, is out there that we can realistically get? Moses and Ox (if we were to get him) on the right isn't even that bad.

This would be a monumental mistake. Firstly, we're short of midfield options ourself, and secondly we would be making United a hell of a lot stronger whilst making ourselves weaker. You really have to wonder what's going on for the board to allow this. If he has to be sold then sell to a completely different country. I'm sure there's other teams out there that are interested in him, it can't just be United.

Thing is, Musonda could be one of those players, he isn't yet. At least with a player like Candreva we know what we are getting and we know he will come in and do what ever role is asked of him. Plus, the season is long, so even if he does come in there would still be chances for Musonda to play. I'm with Davey here, I think he could be a good signing because he can play in different positions, which can be handy at times. We need depth players, and he provides that in a number of positions. Also, speed is necessarily the be all and end all of a good winger. Beckham and Figo were two of the best wingers in their era, and they weren't exactly express. Granted, a WB role is a little different to a pure RMF role, but just because you don't have speed doesn't mean you are a bad winger.

Lmao, wtf.

If we can afford it then let's make it happen!

I legit forgot we even had him. Same with Baba Rahman until your post reminded me of players that I forgot we had.

For the record, I'd love for Chistensen to start, but realistically Conte will pick Cahill over him, at least for the start of the season.

Not so much more excited by Christensen over Rudiger but excited for Christensen in general. Really hoping we keep him this season (as in not send him out on loan) as I feel he can be a world class defender in a few years time.

Rudiger, Bakayoko, Morata along with a player like Sandro and even another top player would surely be up there though.

Azpi would do well at RWB. I know he was great as a CB last year, but it's not really his natural position. With Rudiger coming in you would think he would start, and Luiz is arguably our best defender and Cahill is captain. Thinking we might actually push Azpi out to RWB and have Moses as the back up. As much as I loved what Alonso did last season, if we could land Sandro our back "5" could look quite impressive. Rudiger - Luiz - Cahill Azpilicueta - Kante - Bakayoko - Sandro I'd be happy with that going into the first game of the season!

Much better second half from us, but the damage was done in the first 30 minutes. Glad that we didn't lay down and die and at least fought back. Still some work to do, but I trust Conte will have us fit and firing come the first week of the season.

Michy! Let's go all in for the last five minutes and take it to penalties!

It's not even so much that he doesn't have pace, it's more he gets caught out too often as he bombs forward. You don't necessarily need pace to be a good defender.

Luiz has made such a difference since coming on. So close to a 2nd.

Courtois made a save!

I demand an apology and for you to be sent home for that comment!

Morata and Luiz on.

Caught out on the fast break again. They basically had two free players on their right hand side during that counter.

Courtois didn't even move then. Completely flat footed and could have easily been 4-1.

Bit of a wake up call for us in that half. We were jumped early and could have (and should have) been 4-0 down inside 30 minutes. Played much better in the last 15 minutes and got a nice goal as a reward.

Smashing goal by Alonso! Gives us some slight hope. Well deserved after our last 15 minutes.

Fabregas never had any pace.