How many players would it take?

Discussion in 'Manchester United' started by bigtoga, Jul 5, 2005.

  1. bigtoga

    bigtoga Member

    Sep 16, 2000
    Dallas, Texas
    Call me a pessimist but since we've finished third in each of the last two seasons, I don't think that we can think we should automatically win the title this coming season - unless some new blood is brought in. If you believe that Park and VDS are the only new players we need to compete for the title, then you can leave this thread now - don't vote, don't post a reply - just leave. Thank you.
     
  2. johno

    johno Member+

    Jul 15, 2003
    in the wind
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    well, think about why we did not do well last season? it all came down to not scoring enough... with Rooney going into his second year, Ronaldo getting better as days go by, Giggs finally being pushed for a starting spot and most importantly a healthy Ruud... goals should not be that hard to come by. when u add a solid goalkeeper as well, we should be in place to "compete for the title" we did very well last season when we were healthy - Ruud... if we stay healthy this season, there's no reason we cant compete with who we've got right now.

    However, I doubt that we can stay completely healthy for the entire season, so that's why I think we need 1 more solid signing... we need someone who can take up Keane's position and solidify the midfield from time to time even partner with him.

    If we can add that one player, we'd have great depth in CM

    Scholes, Keane, Fletcher, New Guy, Park, O'Shea,

    and good depth on the flanks
    Ronaldo, Giggs, Park, Richardson, Fortune

    Good depth in defence
    Rio, Silvestre, Brown, Heinze, Gary, O'Shea, Phil, Fortune, Spector

    and superb depth at forward
    Ruud, Rooney, Saha, Smith, Rossi, Bellion
     
  3. MtP07

    MtP07 BigSoccer Supporter

    Jan 3, 2005
    I agree with johno. I really feel as though a healthy team all season long will be just as important as any new signing we could make. I'm really looking forward to seeing a healthy Ruud and Rooney playing together this season, as it seemed to me they really didn't have a lot of games together last season.
     
  4. NYCgeezer

    NYCgeezer New Member

    Apr 17, 2005
    New York City
    New players dont always bring immediate improvements (look at last year's signings, aside from Rooney). I'm happy with the purchases so far (I think Park will be superb for the team) and I think Fergie has a plan to reshuffle a bit and find the goal. Our squad is world class, as always, and to think otherwise is absurd...just a matter of fitness and execution.
     
  5. Dark Savante

    Dark Savante Member

    Apr 24, 2002
    Become the Tea Pot!!
    3 or 4...if we are serious about challenging for the title. 1player to go straight into the first team and 2or3 for the bench. Sell all deadweight.

    We really heavily on our first team staying fit alllllll season long right now...too much like Madrid were under our assistant coach... and look how they burned out around January.
     
  6. llanitotaylor

    llanitotaylor New Member

    Jun 15, 2005
    Spain
    We need a CM (Essien or Gerrard hopefully) and one great CB (I like Chivu or Andrade).

    I think United's problem last season was that we didn't dominate the midfield like we used to. Keane is a legend but is too old now unfortunately!!!!!
     
  7. Achtung

    Achtung Member

    Jul 19, 2002
    Chicago
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    We definitely need at least two more signings. I still don't feel like the players we have right now in the middle of the pitch are able to create enough, so I still really want that extra CM. And I don't feel that either Brown or Silvestre should be a starting CB for a team like United.
     
  8. Achtung

    Achtung Member

    Jul 19, 2002
    Chicago
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    You're exactly right, though I will add that on his day last season, Keane was as good as we've ever seen him. Problem was that he couldn't replicate that form every week, and he wasn't the only one. If this really is to be his last season, we need his successor to be groomed in much the way Keano was by Robson in his final season.
     
  9. Crestofthestars

    Crestofthestars New Member

    Aug 18, 2004
    we don't need any players to "compete." we already have a large squad and a great reserve team. lightning won't strike twice with Ruud/Saha out most of next season.
     
  10. johno

    johno Member+

    Jul 15, 2003
    in the wind
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    meh... I still think 3-4 would be nice, but is not necessary for us to compete. I said, 1 but I think 2 is just the same... 1 player makes a big difference. The thing about Park is his competitive nature and versatility are great for us. He can be the guy to give us a spark in several different positions. I doubt we'll see much of Fortune in midfield anymore, nor will we see Fletcher on the flanks.

    In CM Park gives us a player to stick in, in place of Fletcher OR Scholes if either is injured, as well as a player to compete with Giggs for a starting berth on the wing which will keep Ronaldo and Giggs relatively fresh.

    We had a nightmare season at Forward last year and it wont likely repeat itself. We'll have Rooney and Ruud actually in preseason training together and I think their partnership alone will ease our Goal Scoring problems.

    In defense... we have Rio as always, Heinze and Gary as well as 2 decent CB's to chose from to play next to Rio... our defence was stellar last year and with the addition of a solid keeper it should only get better.

    We have to remember guys, while we were in full flight, we kept pace with Chelsea - essentially the hole we created for ourselves early in the season is what led to our not being able to compete. With no long term injuries yet, and the likely fitness of most of the first team we cant possibly have a similar start to the one we had last year when we had like 5 first teamers fit.
     
  11. dude8

    dude8 Member

    Apr 2, 2002
    phoenix
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

    so...you have us take a poll, then tell us you don't want our opinon if it doesn't jibe with yours?
    why not the title with only "2" players signed? granted, i am counting on stronger team play this year from EVERYONE. i am counting on a cohesive defense, regardless of the netminder. i am counting on less rotation/confusion for squad selections. i am counting on some of the younger(richardson, spector, jones, rossi, et al)to make their mark. i am counting the days until OGS steps on the field. i am counting on many of the shots that didn't go in last season to go in this season. i am counting on chelsea to lose a few more. i am counting on us to crush the bottom table teams. i am counting on SIR to regain the focus for the entire squad, and roy to carry it out. i could go on.

    so, yeah, i think we can do it.
     
  12. Dark Savante

    Dark Savante Member

    Apr 24, 2002
    Become the Tea Pot!!
    Thing is, we rely heavily on our 1st team. A key injury here or there and we are in huge trouble. This rule does not apply to Chelsea and Arsenal work in a different way to us and are going to get the players they want/need to really keep them smooth next year. Their bench will be as good, if not better than ours.

    I'm not sold on Saha staying injury free...
     
  13. Achtung

    Achtung Member

    Jul 19, 2002
    Chicago
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    True, but remember that towards the end of the season we tailed off again, with disappointing matches against Norwich, West Brom, and Everton. I know that squad selection had a lot to do with it, but we really did peak from November-February. We'll need to keep that pace up for longer if we want to realistically challenge Chelsea. The bar is raised, and its going to take near or over 90 points to pull it off this season.
     
  14. Dark Savante

    Dark Savante Member

    Apr 24, 2002
    Become the Tea Pot!!
    !!!!!

    Not only that, no team is standing still....
     
  15. johno

    johno Member+

    Jul 15, 2003
    in the wind
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    Who are we afraid of getting injured?

    Ruud - we've got Saha, Smith and Rooney to take up the scoring load and its unlikely he will be injured much again this year.

    Keane - we dont have a long term replacement for him, short term, O'Shea and Phil seem capable.

    Rio - no history of injuries.

    Giggs/Ronaldo have issues with getting tired, now that we have someone to rotate into that pair, we should not have any problems with regards to that.

    What I'm saying is that with the addition of Park and the addition of Ruud (yes, its like we signed a new player) we have already made alot of ground up in regards to depth.

    1-2 more signings of quality players will really really solidify our situation.
     
  16. listen_up_fergie

    listen_up_fergie New Member

    Mar 3, 2005
    Montreal
    I think we need to get Julio Baptista, because he will take care of Keano's position when we need to rest him, and he'll be a backup striker as well as competition for Scholes. He's like a 3 in 1, so if we get him we really don't need to make any other signings unless we want to strengthen our bench. Maybe we could get a new centreback - someone like Andrade or Kompany - or a young rightback as a longterm replacement for Neville e.g. de Jong, Cicinho or Miguel. I think we're fine in terms of squad depth, but it is just a question of quality.
    Just do a mini-assessment of our squad:
    First Team:
    Van der Sar --> solid, experienced keeper who will hopefully bring back stability between the posts.
    Heinze --> If he can continue with last season's form, we have nothing to worry about (although hopefully he will improve his attacking game a little).
    Brown/Silvestre --> Alongside Rio, they are OK. Brown is showing much more promise now that the injuries seem out of the way.
    Rio --> Sign that contract!
    G. Neville --> Does his best, and is almost always reliable. Has a couple more seasons in him, but maybe we need to start giving O'Shea/Spector more games there or look into signing a longterm replacement.
    Keane --> Still one of the Premiership's best midfielders; unfortunately he needs to be rested regularly.
    Scholes --> Poor form last season. If he can regain his form, he'll be terrific. We need someone in this position as a backup whenever he isn't in top form (in a 442, his position is too deep for Rooney to fill IMO)
    Ronaldo --> Class player, who will hopefully continue to improve next season.
    Giggs --> On his day, is the best winger in the Premiership. He'll have his quiet moments in the season, and that's when having Park in the squad will be a real asset.
    Van Nistelrooy --> Hopefully he'll be back to being the goalmachine he was two years ago. I have no doubt that if he remains fit he will score at least 20 goals next season.
    Rooney --> The man.
    Bench/Backups:
    Howard --> Other than Chelsea, I think we're the team with the best no.2
    Fletcher --> On his way to becoming a very good player. Needs to go to the gym.
    Kleberson --> If he steps up, good be the contender for Scholes' position I talked about earlier; however, seems he is on his way to Benfica/Sporting (crossing my fingers that it is a loan, but I think Fergie has forgotten about Diego Forlan and will sell Klebs for 2m)
    O'Shea --> He's the reason why Phil Neville's place in the team is now redundant.
    Phil Neville --> Time to follow the Butt road (Thanks for everything)
    Saha --> If he stays fit, he'll be a real threat coming off the bench.
    Smudger --> Can't forget how he carried the team in the first few months last season.
    Fortune --> Gives his everything, and I feel he is almost like the ideal squaddie. But then again, if he's playing more than something like 10 games a season, its not a good sign.
    Miller --> no comment.
    Jones --> very promising; needs to bulk up.
    Rossi --> Hoping that Fergie gives him some playing time next season.
    Spector --> hopefully he'll be out on loan to a premiership side, as it will really help him
    Eagles --> Needs a loan spell too.
     
  17. andrew neave

    andrew neave New Member

    Dec 20, 2003
    Las Vegas USA
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    I think we should start the season if all are fit with :-
    Rooney Ronaldo, & Giggs up front
    Park Keane ( new signing? )/ Richardson
    and the defence selects itself dosent it.

    I cant forget our best performance last season Arsenal at Highbury !!, Giggs Ronaldo and Rooney played up front, and yes I dont discount the opposition England had in America, Richardson deserves his chance, I mean he scored two goals on his debut, ( will fergie sell him to WBA? hope not)
    Im not a Fletcher fan he is to much like Ashly Grimes remember him ? tries a lot but doesent score any goals and is not likely to get any better than he is now. And yes Play park straight out of the box, For heavens sake lets hope he isnt a Djemba Djemba or another Miller or indeed a Kleberson.

    Im crossing my fingers that we get one of Essien Gerrard or Baptiste.
     
  18. mhtwins113

    mhtwins113 Member

    May 9, 2005
    Club:
    Lincoln City FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    fergie, im gonna have to disagree with your assessment of heinze a little bit. he doesnt need to improve his attacking nearly as much as his positional sense. far too many times last year he was caught too far up the pitch and allowed teams to exploit that with a counter. thankfully with his motor he was able to recompensate many of those times, but that doesnt mean he needs to make it a habit. thats his major weakness, but with his talent and workrate, its one that should be corrected pretty easily this offseason.
     
  19. Mac_Howard

    Mac_Howard New Member

    Mar 5, 2002
    Mandurah, Perth, WA
    I think there's far too much pessimism being expressed about the current squad - mostly to justify the wishful thinking that so many fans are revealing in the transfer deals threads. Another quality CM will make a significant difference to our weakest area and providing we don't suffer the 8/9 man injury list we did at the beginning of last season and immediately after Christmas that squad would be perfectly capable of 85-90 points. Whether 90 plus will be needed remains to be seen - Chelsea, as Arsenal have previously, may find that the "repeat" season is much more difficult than their first Premiership - and if it is then any team can fail in that.

    One more player will make us competitive though a couple more would be good insurance. We have four quality strikers, possibly five, a defence that achieved a Premiership quality 26 goals conceded this last season, and with Park, another CM and an improving Fletcher added to midfield then the squad will be more than capable of competing.
     
  20. Dark Savante

    Dark Savante Member

    Apr 24, 2002
    Become the Tea Pot!!
    I have to say whilst I'm being pessimistic about our chances without the correct enhancements, I think you're being too optimistic if you think 1more player will be all that is needed. The first priority is that all our strikers actually stay fit. After last season's injury debacle I'm wary of Saha especially. If they all stay fit then certainly it'll make a huge difference. The main problem for me is the lack of quality cover in midfield - we rely so much on our first team staying fit. When we have even a mini injury crisis the whole team can look unsteady.. hmm, I think when I say we need 4players in, I mean we need 4players replaced not 4more additions to an already vast squad.

    I'd like to see

    Howard
    Brown (Silvestre replaced in 1st team by new purchase)
    Park/Giggs
    Fletcher (New guy in his place in team)
    Smith
    New Guy (Saha too risky)

    With Jones and Rossi on the periphery.

    That would please me greatly. :) O'Shea, Phil, Fortune etc sold or not seeing much benchtime. Then I believe we'd be ready for a serious challenge against whatever squad Chelsea assemble and compete with Le Gunners for arracking zest.
     

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