Froggy

Genuinely no idea what the plan is for Zirkzee to be honest. Doubt he's here to be a backup, but Hojlund is definitely who we want to lead the line. Let's hope De Ligt is like Van Dijk rather than Maguire.

It's a depth signing. Dalot is the starting right back. Think that's a good window personally. Not amazing, but good.

It's just a depth signing to see us through the season until Casemiro goes next summer. Then we'll have the budget for a top DM hopefully. That being said, De Ligt and Mazroaui still look very likely. Is Yoro, Zirkzee, De Ligt, Mazraoui and Berge not a decent window?

And McTominay is shit.

I think I've made it fairly clear that Ugarte is the one I want. Any defensive midfield signings will be welcomed though.

Wrong thread mate.

Yeah I agree. He'd transform the midfield. Maybe it's just waiting on a McTominay sale. Who knows. It didn't sound like our valuations were too far apart but they must be.

Happy we're not paying over the odds and moving quickly on to other targets so we don't waste the summer with a pointless exercise. I really, really want Ugarte though.

They're selling him because it makes financial sense. Incorrect. As stated above. He started every game for them when he was fit. Correct. You've completely dodged all of the facts thrown at you above, which is quite impressive. If you want to continue to appear clueless, by all means carry on.

You're using an article written by a Man United fan on goal.com (great source BTW). A guy who's ridiculed by our fanbase for his articles. This year alone he has said Garnacho is the next Ronaldo, that Mourinho is the best choice to come back in right the ship and best of all he compared Sancho to Messi. Again, let's listen to the Germans: https://www.change.org/p/keep-de-ligt-wir-wollen-de-ligt And aye, his career definitely went backwards after moving to Bayern. Second in their player of the year awards and included in the Bundesliga team of the year in his title winning debut season. https://fcbayern.com/en/news/2023/07/player-of-the-season-2022-23 https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/team-of-the-season-2022-23-vote-fifa-ea-sports-fut23-23319 He was injured half of last season, which is literally the only negative against him since his move to Bayern. If you want to attack the injury record then work away, I won't argue that it's a concern. Trying to suggest like he's a backup or surplus to requirements is just silly though. The move is purely financial as Bayern can replace him with a player close to his level while banking £10-15m in transfer profit and saving another £6m a year on wages. Just state your opinion that you don't rate the guy instead of trying to make stuff up and then attempting to back it with the worst junk media imagineable. You're one step away from referencing an article in the Scottish Daily Sport.

De Ligt started all the major games and Kim Min-jae was benched. Kim only played when De Ligt was injured. De Ligt fully recovered from his injury in December and since that moment he started every game, except for league games after Champions League games where they were clearly being careful with his fitness. The only CL knockout game he didn't start was the first leg in the last 16 against Lazio. Upamecano and Kim started this game and they lost 1-0. De Ligt then started the next leg (Kim benched) getting an assist as Bayern won 3-0. He also started both quarter finals against Arsenal and one of the semi finals against Real Madrid (the other he missed due to injury). Sure though, De Ligt is the backup. With all due respect, aside from the facts listed above, I'll listen to the German Bayern Munich fans on this matter. Their opinion matters more than mine or yours, and they're desperate for him to stay.

There's a petition with over 70,000 signatures from Bayern fans desperate for the club to keep De Ligt as he's their best centre back. Bayern are only selling for financial reasons as he's on £265k a week and they can bring in Tah for a decent fee and half the wages. De Ligt is obviously class though and a big upgrade on everyone we have bar Martinez. Mazraoui an upgrade on Wan Bissaka as he can attack and isn't as positionally weak, but his injury record is properly shocking to be fair.

Improves our excuses when things go pear shaped.

End of November when Yoro is back aye. Maguire will probably get the nod for the moment. Hojlund is a miss but no real excuses with that one now with the Zirkzee signing.

This season? Probably the following at this stage: Onana Dalot Martinez Yoro Shaw Casemiro Mainoo Fernandes Rashford Garnacho Hojlund Ugarte in for Casemiro would be huge for us. Also think he really wants Mazraoui as he doesn't trust the fitness of Shaw and Malacia is out for months still. Dalot is capable on both flanks whereas Wan Bissaka is not, so it provides more solid depth.

I would say he'll be rotated a decent bit with Mount. Mount will play a lot this year IMO.

Surprisingly I haven't heard anything about us going for him this summer. We were very interested in him before and held talks with him, but they must not have went very well. Ugarte would be enough in midfield this season though. Ugarte, Casemiro, Fernandes, Mainoo, Mount, Eriksen and Collyer would be more than enough to see us through. I'd expect Casemiro and Eriksen then to both leave next summer at the latest, and another midfield signing to be made.

Mainoo and Fernandes.

Ugarte was waiting on the Joao Neves deal completing. I would expect us to push hard for that over the next week. McTominay and Wan Bissaka need to be sold for De Ligt and Mazraoui to come in. All personal terms already agreed with all the players. I do think they'll all arrive before the end of August. Ugarte is essential though.

Without the injuries it's completely different mind. Not sure Ten Hag has ever been able to select his first choice eleven. Could be an interesting season. Having Zirkzee as a backup striker is certainly much better than having an injured Martial though.

Feel free to point out where I said that for the preseason games we've won. Between ourselves and Liverpool there were probably 5 or 6 players who actually start games. Just a fitness exercise. We've a glorified friendly next Saturday for the first teamers.

Is it just me or have the preseason games this year had more coverage/interest. They mean absolutely fuck all.

Almost a full strength Newcastle thrashed by a Japanese side. Will Howe last 10 games with Southgate waiting in the wings?