Doesn't seem like there's been a new thread on here for a little while! Anyhoo, last month, we were told that there would be 3 signings: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...chester-United-prepare-replace-old-guard.html Oddly enough though, is it just me or is there no mention of how many people we would be looking to sign? Obviously a keeper was a must sign, now looks like it will be De Gea, I think Young was on the radar for quite a while. I also believe that Jones's wasn't a spur of the moment signing but something forced our hand with his signing. Still, I don't think this is the end of the spending. So will there be a leftfield signing or will we buy a usual suspect such as Sneijder? Varane is off to Real Madrid: http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...g-but-miss-out-on-varane-to-real-2301888.html So will our focus now go onto a more orthodox central midfielder? I would like us to, hopefully Anderson with a full pre-season with no injuries or Copa Libertadores to worry about, play Anderson much more regularly. IMO, we aren't going to buy an "attacking midfielder" that likes to sit behind the forwards because Rooney has taken up that position between the opposition midfield and defence that allows him to be involved in the play but in a dangerous area of the pitch. So are we looking for a DM? Especially with no Hargreaves anymore? No. Because Hargreaves wasn't a DM that just sat in front of the defence, he was more than that. Carrick is more than just a DM, granted he might sit in front of the defence, but theres not many that can pass like him. It wouldn't surprise me if SAF looks for a ball carrying midfielder, someone that plays similarly to Giggs in the centre of midfield, who has the ability to run with the ball but it seems we could have that player at the club already- Ashley Young. However, is he physically strong enough or tactically aware to play in CM? I'm not sure, but it wouldn't surprise me if Young plays centrally.
I think we have 3 wingers who are capable of all playing a role in midfield. We have Rooney who offers so much more as a deep second striker or almost as an AM. Nani can play centrally. Think Bayern the season before last for an example of this. Young can play centrally. Valencia can play CM. I mean would it be an option in some games to have a front 4 rotating? ----------Hernandez------------ Young------Rooney--------Nani <<<<< In this the 3 here would swap positions regularly. ---------Rooney-------------- Nani-----Young-----Valencia <<<< basically all could rotate between positions in this one. You get the idea? I think a holding midfielder with a good pass on him is what we need now. An attacking midfielder wouldnt be needed if we get one of these as we have so many attacking options. Welbeck, Berbatov, Park, Giggs are not even mentioned. -----------Welbeck---------- Giggs-----Berbatov-----Park <<<<< Carling Cup haha.
My theory is that Young's best position is similar to the role that Rooney plays with Hernandez but he is never going to take Rooney's place in the team. I do like the 2 different set ups that you have given. The first is the flexible one, Rooney, Young and Park all capable and moreover, dangerous all along that corridor. The 2nd is a bit more organised, seeing as Valencia isn't going to play in behind the striker. I do like the idea of letting Nani play more centrally, I think he could be a sucess. Not like Ronaldo (although I do remember seeing Nani getting in the box and his head on some crosses, a good string to add to his considerable arsenal already), but adds another dimension. The best thing, is that our 4 wingers all have assists and goals in them and the flexibilty allows for rotation but on the pitch against opponents, makes us even harder to predict.
