How Man Utd can be fixed for a net spend of just £65m

Joe Williams
Manchester United

Send your disgruntled Man Utd thoughts and more to theeditor@football365.com

 

Sympathy for Moaninho II
Dear F365,

Tuesday, right after the news on Son Heung Min’s injury came out, I wrote you an e-mail predicting impending doom for Spurs. I predicted Spurs would lose to Red Bull and get knocked out of the CL; I predicted they would lose to Chelsea and eventually fall out of the CL qualification spots. I even predicted FA Cup elimination at the hands of Norwich.

You didn’t publish my mail, and I don’t blame you. Best not to expose the world to my drivel.

However, I ask you to publish this one. Firstly, as a vindication of my being right four days in advance – really, it doesn’t happen that often.

But also so that I can make my point again: Mourinho isn’t to blame for this. Tottenham had four very good attacking players. His best one (Son) got injured. His second best one (Kane) also got injured. His third (Eriksen) got sold. There’s simply very little left there. If you think Mourinho is to blame for this, YOU try and build an offense around an out-of-form Dele Alli.

Everyone gets injuries, but I really think the Son injury was a killer blow for Spurs. In my previous e-mail I predicted Spurs wouldn’t score more than 12 goals until the end of the season. I stand by that number. In fact, if you exclude further own goals, 12 might be a little high.

I have anything against Spurs or Mourinho. I’m also not a fan of either. I just think they had a massive stroke of misfortune – one which they partly brought upon themselves by building such an unbalanced squad.

Cheers,
Ursolin Waxoh

 

Goalkeepers
Quick question for the mailbox… why do keepers get so much leniency when they mistime a punch?

Watching the Leicester Man City game and the Ederson clash with Ihenacho is a foul all day long.

When goal keepers jump, the slightest contact and the keeper gets a free kick. Yet when the boots on the other foot, keepers are allowed to clear players out to get through a crowd, when they mistime their punch the attacking players never get a foul. Why? Given that in the Leicester game Ihenacho was on the floor for a good couple of minutes, that’s a great opportunity for VAR to have a good look and see that Ederson was nowhere near the ball – I don’t get why keepers get so much leniency?

It’s almost like a free run for the keeper, come out, have a go at getting there first when the balls in the air with no consequence if they get it wrong.
Tom Parker

 

Chelsea display
Well what a performance from Chelsea, a must win game against a Spurs side without Kane or Son, but when Jose Mourinho is in the dugout you can’t never underestimate any side managed by him, smash and grab has been his speciality over the recent years.

When the lineup was announced it was a tale of two surprises, a positive surprise to see Giroud get his first start and his goal shows exactly why when Tammy Abraham isn’t fit why he needs to start over Batshuayi, and a “oh, okay then” surprise in seeing Willy start over Kepa for a third successive league match, it certainly makes you wonder if that is that in regards to Kepa Arrizabalaga’s career at Chelsea, doubt many fans would be to upset if we were to bring in a new keeper in the summer, we have all seen those dreadful stats surrounding his recent form.

The Lo Celso challenge was nasty one, we all likely winced when we saw the replays, thankfully no broken leg occurred, the fact VAR admitted they got it wrong will certainly strengthen the voices of those who oppose its implementation.

Overall a fantastic attacking performance, brilliant to see Loftus-Cheek back in the squad after his recovery from injury, looking forward to Bayern on Tuesday.
Mikey, CFC (VAR getting a decision wrong, if only they had assistance to help them out) 

 

Against lesser teams which will look to sit deep and hit on the break (AKA hope for a lucky break), Giroud has always seemed the best option. Good performance from him on Saturday. Speaking of good performances, turns out Mount actually needed a rest. He looks good again. If fullbacks only had to attack, Alonso would be the best LB in the league.

Overall a good team performance, but the best bit was their ability to manage the game after conceding yet another sloppy goal. A definite step in the right direction. I guess the next step is cutting out the sloppy concessions. Vital three points and especially at this stage, nothing matters more.
Lawrence, CFC, Abuja.

 

Fixing Man Utd for only £65m
Manchester United need to forget about challenging for the title now or even in the next 2 seasons. It is Liverpool’s time and they have worked with a plan to get here. Credit to their senior management for getting them to where they are at. Top of England, top of Europe with an attractive set up, great fans and they have done it with likable personnel, young as well.

United need to focus on themselves at the minute. Ask ourselves, how can we get to the top again. Not now, but in 3 seasons time when this Liverpool team has a dip and goes into an understandable transitional period.

The only thing we know for sure is what we have right now is not working and we need a complete overhaul. Senior management always seems to say you can’t do too much in one transfer window. My question is why not? It not only the 3 month window, we have from now till August to make some tough calls and then execute the moves necessary.

Numbers suggested are realistic in my mind, making it possible to execute. It is just the number of moves that will seem alarming or far fetched.

Transfer out:
1. de Gea (65m) – With a heavy heart we should let DDG go get some money in. We have an able replacement in Henderson. Remember he may not be perfect now, but in 3 years when we are challenging again he will be ready.
2. Pogba (100m) – No brainer, he wants out, he’s pretty much gone now anyway. If we can get north of 100m that would be gold.
3. Matic (free)
4. Lingard (10m) – Deadwood.
5. Pereira (10m) – Deaderwood.
6. Jones (10m)
7. Shaw (20m) – Shame, I was excited when we got him. It really hasn’t worked and I don’t think it can be blamed solely on the leg break either.
8. Smalling (15m) – Could be used after a successful spell away but we do need to move on.
9. Rojo (5m)

10. Chong (free) – Wants games.
11. Gomes (free) – Hope he stays but it isn’t looking good.
12. Martial (65) – Has the talent but not the winning mentality we need.
13. Sanchez (15m) – Cut losses, someone should be willing to fork out 15?

Potential intake – 315m – and a huge chunk off your wage bill I would imagine

Transfer In:
1. Moussa Dembelle (65m) – Lets face it we need a CF and this one has something to prove. He is also taller and more physical than one would think. Haaland was perfect but unfortunately that ship has sailed. Also he has spend time at Fulham and Celtic so his English should adapt to England well.
2. Grealish (80m) – I think we need big personality and we need flair. He has both.
3.  Milinkovic-Savic (65m) – Big man playing in a very successful Lazio team. Competition for Fred and McTominnay.
4. Chillwell (70m) – We need an upgrade on Shaw badly.
5. Sancho (100) – Best player out there on the market this summer.

Potential Spend – 380m (Net spend of only 65m)

Our Squad going into next season and their age going into the 2022/2023 season when we will win the league.

1. Henderson GK (25)
2. Maguire CB (30)
3. Wan-Bissaka CB (25) – I have written in previously on how AWB is the perfect CB foil for Maguire masquerading as a decent full-back.
4. Chillwell LB (26)
5. Dalot RB (24)
6. Milinkovic -Savic CM (28)
7. Fernades CM (28)
8. Grealish AM (27)
9. Sancho RWF (23)
10. Rashford LWF(25)
11. Dembele CF (27)

Bench
12. Romero GK  – Released by  the time we get to the 2022 season.
13. Grant GK – Released by  the time we get to the 2022 season.
14. Pereira GK (26)
15. Bishop GK (23)
16. Bailly CB (29)
17. Lindeloff CB (29)
18. Tuanzebe CB (25)
19. Fosu-Mensah CB/RB (25)
19. Williams LB (22)
20. Laird RB (21)
21. Garner CDM/CB (22)
22. McTominay CM (26)
23. Fred CM (30)
24. Mata CM/AM – Replaced by Hannibal Mejbri AM (19)
25 James RWF (25)
26. Greenwood CF (21)

A lot can happen in 3 years but there is no harm in having a plan. United could be playing with 4 of England’s back five going into the WC in 2022.

That was fun.
Hakim DOF, Sri Lanka

 

Jimmy Greaves to Spurs? Thank my great-grandmother
It was my Nan’s funeral yesterday. I appreciate that’s not how you’d expect a mailbox entry to start but bear with me. It was pretty much how you imagine but one good thing that came out of it all was the amazing stories I heard about family members long gone. I’ll tell you about the best one and if you’re a Spurs fan you’ll love this.

Back in 1961 my great-Grandmother lived in Dagenham next door to Les Allen. He was a football player of course who played for Spurs at that time (and was also and Clive Allen’s Dad). That year, Chelsea had sold Jimmy Greaves to AC Milan for a huge fee, but he wasn’t happy or settled and was back in England for a holiday – staying with his mate Les Allen.

Legendary, double-winning Spurs Manager Bill Nicholson wanted to sign him for Spurs. He’d arranged to meet Greaves at Les Allen’s house but when he arrived they weren’t in. My great-Grandmother saw him hanging about and – of course – invited him in for a cup of tea. They did things like that back then.

Allen and Greaves eventually returned (they’d been having a kick about at the local park) and also ended up having tea, with my Great-Nan and Saint Bill. And then, after a chat, Jimmy Greaves, the greatest English striker of all time, agreed to sign for Spurs in my great-Nan’s kitchen.

That, my friends, is awesome.
Brad (COYS)

 

All-time Premier League Confederations XIs
Brilliant game in the mailbox on permier league all-time international XIs. After struggling to find a goalkeeper for my Nigerian XI, I thought I’d try some confederations XIs instead. UEFA understandably favourites, COMNEBOL strong but could be exposed defensively and CAF are definitely dark horses:

UEFA

GK: Schmeichel
RB: G Neville
CB: Van Dyk
CB: R Ferdinand
LB: A Cole
MF: Gerrard
MF: Keane
MF: Scholes
RF: C Ronaldo
CF: Cantona
LF: Henry

CONMEBOL

GK: Allison
RB: Zabaleta
CB: D Luiz
CB: Alex
LB: G Heinze
MF: Juninho
MF: Fernandinho
MF: Mascherano
RF: Tevez
CF: Aguerro
LF: Suarez

CAF

GK: Grobbelar
RB: Lauren
CB: K Toure
CB: Radebe
LB: Assou-Ekoto
MF: Okocha
MF: Essien
MF: Y Toure
RF: M Salah
CF: Drogba
LF: S Mane

CONCACAF

GK: Friedel
RB: M Figueroa
CB: W Morgan
CB: C Bocanegra
LB: R Gardner
MF: Reyna
MF: Palacios
MF: Dempsey
RF: Pulisic
CF: J Hernandez
LF: Yorke

AFC

GK: Schwarzer
RB: Emerton
CB: Yoshida
CB: L Neil
LB: YP Lee
MF: Nakata
MF: Cahill
MF: JS Park
RF: HM Son
CF: Viduka
LF: Kewell

Tough to leave out a lot of players but tried to go for balanced teams as far as possible. Honourable mentions to Bergkamp, Vieira, Stam, Shearer, Evra, Zola, Asprilla, Gilberto Silva, David Silva, De Bruyne, Kompany, Rooney, Bale, Kanu, Alexis, etc.
Af, London

 

I am right in assuming…
I am right in assuming that Lo Celso will receive a post-game red card? Yes? No? WTF? He’s on two kick-out and stamping fouls when he finally gets a yellow, and Michael Oliver plainly tells him that with three fingers raised when he booked him, but he’s still on the field, which beggars belief.

A straight red would be fair. A straight post-game red would be reasonable considering that in self-flagellation “we” VAR officials f*cked up, so I assume we won’t see Lo Celso for three games. No? Why not?

It seems you can kick a guy in the balls and get away with it, with VAR, and stamp on a guy’s leg, with VAR, and get away with with it.

VAR loves to re-referee offsides with hair-lines and armpits, fingertips and toes, but sits blind and mute with violence. What the hell.

Spurs were and are a dirty team. Ten yellow cards at the Bridge in the Leicester title-winning season game? I love that Son is out for the year, with Gomes back for Everton. There’s a little karma for you.
Steve, Los Angeles.

 

Lo Celso looks like a bloody good player. He also looks like a seriously nasty piece of work…Lucky to stay on the field, twice?
Henry, LFC, Köln

 

Burnley v Bournemouth
I was at Turf Moor yesterday.  Whole family in the car from Ayr at 8 in the morning, coffee stop at Southwaite services on the M6 where the only other fans were Leeds supporters from Arbroath who had never seen Bournemouth scarves there before.  Had a good chat to them.  That’s football.

Burnley is a strange town, clearly trying to move on from its industrial history while not quite forgetting it.  The effect is that it can feel a touch parochial, there are certainly more friendly places to be an away supporter, Norwich leaps attractively to mind.  That’s football.

It is also freezing cold, but we found a café then got inside the ground nice and early.  That’s football.

Small away following, less than 500 Bournemouth fans there and we were pretty quiet throughout.  I do like how the most vocal home fans are immediately adjacent to the away supporters behind the goal as it can provoke some humorous back and forth.  Apparently this is a fairly recent switch as the dressing rooms are under that stand and the Burnley players got fed up of only being able to hear away supporters.  That’s football.

In the away stand you come down the steps to the concourse and there are three big signs with accompanying arrows.  They say TOILET, BEER, and FOOD.  Nice and simple and the cause of much amusement amongst the travelling fans.  That’s football.

A match was played.  The critical events were all a long way away from us and I don’t have the inclination to watch a replay as my opinion is as worthless as anyone else’s.  What I did see was our highest-profile and (like him or not) arguably most consistent referee made to look like a patsy after two positive decisions he made were overruled.  Even as a fan on the wrong end of them I don’t care if he was right or wrong, the process that allows this to happen, especially the second one, is clearly flawed.  I work in a safety-critical industry where every decision we make has to be from a specific published and agreed procedure.  If we don’t follow it, we are accountable.  If the procedure is identified to need tweaking it is consulted upon, changed and re-published quickly.  Standing in the Cricket Field Stand yesterday watching Harry Wilson put the ball in the net and not even bothering to celebrate, along with the overwhelming majority of the rest of our fans, just made me feel hollow.  That’s not football.

At the end of the game the shell-shocked Bournemouth players were brilliant.  They applauded us all.  Aaron Ramsdale has been our best player this season.  He came over to a bunch of kids near the corner.  He gave one of them his shirt.  That kid was crying tears of sheer joy.  His grandma was sitting in front of me.  She told me he was an Under 11 but because he was small for his age his team in Dorset had told him he couldn’t play in goal any more.  She was in tears.  She had a Lancashire accent so I guessed he was visiting relatives for the weekend.  Getting that shirt had made his year, her year, even seeing it made my day.  I was in tears just watching.

That’s football.  Don’t let it die, PL and FA.
Andy J, Bournemouth

 

Fernando Hierro
Three “best Spanish PL teams” in the mailbox and none included Fernando Hierro!

Jesus (Navas) wept.
Mark, LFC, Hong Kong

 

The GOAT
People talk of burnout and overplaying young players. He had the perseverance day in and day out to be where he is today, the debate will still continue of him and Messi about who is the GOAT but

35 years old
1,000 career appearances
11 goals in his last 11 games.

Take a bow son
Gaz, CFC, Sidcup (Sit down Mourinho!!!!)

 

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