probably despite the usual clamour/calls for the likes of Villa etc I dont think SAF has ever gone in for a finished article as such Even the likes of Rooney were potential when bought
We'll have a strike force of Rooney, Welbeck, Hernandez and probably Owen. I think Berba will go, just because SAF hasn't played him or even been in many first team squads these days even though he'd be perfect for the home games against some of the midtable teams. The way that SAF has talked about Macheda leads me to thinking that he believes he has a future at the club. He is very raw, needs a kick up the backside IMO. These loans haven't helped though...what is it about United Italian strikers and loans!? But I'm not sure he'll be a first team striker, so I'm guessing he'd go out on loan again hopefully. The other striker from the youth team that maybe promoted to the first team squad proper is Josh King- but I don't think he has even scored a goal yet but I think he's had some injuries problems so he's likely to go out on loan again. So logically, if Berba goes, we probably are going to sign a striker. Normally we try and sign players before a major tournament. Seems like forever we have been linked with Huntelaar but hasn't he said this season he isn't looking to move anywhere? I don't think we'll buy anyone high profile, it isn't our policy these days.
I know, on Josh King he's scored goals for the reserves and Kiko Macheda he needs to go out on loan possible the premier league or the championship.
Berbatov is gone but do we even need a replacement? We have Welbeck, Hernandez and Rooney keeping him out of the side at the moment and i cant really see any other player being more than 3rd choice unless we splash out on a superstar. Which seems unlikely. What i would do is just keep Owen. Have him as 4th choice if we have any injuries and seeing as he's happy in that role and competant when called on i see no problem. Its the boring choice, but sensible.
I wouldn't say we are short on strikers, but it's always good to have a bit of variety and backup. Rooney, Hernandez and Welbeck have all scored and done well, but I have to admit, we have been quite bad in front of goal. Sometimes we have been clinical, other times it's cost us. Owen does offer us something, but its a question on whether he can be fit reliably if needs be, you'd like to feel that he'd be a definate sub if he isn't playing. If we do get someone, it's not going to be a superstar. It's going to be someone that is comfortable not playing every game. And I don't think Hernandez and Welbeck will start together without Rooney this season, even if we win the title with game(s) to spare. Which shows that there isn't a definative 2nd or 3rd choice. Rooney is a guaranteed number 10, so in the league the vast majority of the time its going to be Rooney + someone.
I'm the last person to advocate big money foreign signings but if we're looking for a striker then Llorente looks the business.
I think the Raul ship is long since sailed. He is simply too old, he was brilliant for a while but if we were getting him we should have taken a punt when he left Real. I think Demba Ba is a class act myself and agree with NOF, Llorente looked superb against us. Getting Ba on the cheap would free up money for the CM we definitely still do need.
