Everyone needs a Pogba so that's a bit of null point. Also everyone needs a Kante. I actually think someone in Kante's position is a rare find. Not many players set out to be defensive midfielders, hence the massive lack of quality in that position in general - which makes someone like Kante such an asset. He's the best I've seen in that position since Mascherano had it nailed as best in the world But yeah Pedro vs Martial didn't work out to well for me
Very early to make that claim imo - Kante's had one decent season in the French league for Caen and one excellent season for Leicester, he's still a way away from being proven as a top draw DM. Mascherano is actually an instructive example - arguably one of the best DMs in the world for one a a bit seasons, then moved to Barca and struggled, couldn't get in the team, and is has hardly played DM since. No guarantee Kante won't go the same way when he moves to Chelsea, particularly given how fast that club goes through CMs...
That why I said closet I've seen. Didn't say whether he would continue that or not, although I don't see why not as he has the stamina and clearly has the ability. His game just reminds me of when Mascherano was at Liverpool. No need to get all pissy with me Swarbs Jump back on the Pogba Love Bus you little devil.
Can you name a more balanced midfield than Masherano, Alonso and Gerrard? Such a shame they were split up otherwise we'd have seen plenty of sexy time.
I am sure whatever United do ultimately the RS here will say we should done the opposite shouldn't they have learnt that their previous policy of buying several mid priced players instead of bringing that key star player is flawed and hasn't worked? The Benteke, Firmino,Can, lallana, markovic, Allen, ballotelli (!) and many others. can you imagine? . With £100m you could have bought at least 5 Balottelis.
Mahrez will go abroad to a Champions League club if he leaves - Arsenal were after him and he dismissed them out of hand. He has no minimum fee clause like Kante had so we will milk whoever wants him for all they are worth.
Rumours are Schweinsteiger, Mata, Blind and Rojo have been listed. One of Mouriniho's first acts was to give Carrick a new deal. Haven't heard any rumours about Herrera and Fellani - can see them staying tbh.
Of those four I would keep Schweinstiger and Blind for definite. Blind is a tidy cover at centre half and left back and there is no point paying Schweinstiger to leave, if true, as he's still an excellent player when fit. The other two I get, Rojo isn't really good enough and while it is sad to see such a player leave I think that Mata won't get in now due to Mych and Rooney being ahead of him in the pecking order in both 10 and off the right. Carrick is an exceptional player but he's a 36 year old so Herrera and Schneiderlin will get plenty of games, even if we do get Pogba. It all looks very good, I must say.
Blind doesn't seem like a Mourinho player at all - is a jack of all trades but all of his positions are filled with specialists now. Schweinsteger is too broken now - one thing that you aren't lacking in is experience so his spot can be taken up by someone younger like Schneiderlin, Fellani, Jones or even Fosu-Mensah as DM is apparently his preferred position.
Basically you wish you had Can in your midfield. I won't think badly of you if you admit it, everyone's human here.
With all the talent we now have on the pitch around that number 10 position, I hope Mourinho plays Mata ahead of Rooney in that position. Mata is just much quicker at spotting the pass and knitting play together from midfield. With players like Mychi, Martial, Ibrah, Rashford around him and the curse of LVG now gone, I think Mata will be in his element. He won't dawdle on the ball, he won't overthink, or lose possession. Can see his goal tally going up as well. I really hope we don't sell him.
I don't think any of the players had a proper chance with LVG who was the exact opposite of the man who turned everything he touches into gold...
Who knows. He played him in the friendly. He played about a dozen youngsters as well throughout the game. Both go against what he supposedly likes. But it could mean very little come the start of the season.
Rooney should be starting next season from the bench. I really can't see how he should be ahead of all the other players. But Rooney has become a political figure due to his marketing impact. Look at all the commercials for United - they were all led by Rooney. He is more useful off the pitch than on it. This is part of the dilemma Jose will face. If we get Pogba, I can see us keeping Rooney for one more season then transfer face of the club to Pogba.
