2021-22 Targets

jsp

jsp

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So what do we think are realistic targets for the new season we've secured 2 new top class signings and our manager has been backed with a new contract.

Domestic Cups

I expect Utd to make a final this season we've been close but no cigar under Ole in a few semi finals this time he needs to take it one step further and get to the final of one of the domestic cups would be great if he could land one.

Europe

Last season ended with dissapointment in the Europa League final but it started with a shambles of a group stage going out having won our opening 2 games which put us in control of the group. It was a tricky group but no more excuses Utd simply have to progress to the knockout rounds this time and we saw last season the European heavy weights are not the forces they once where. Get out the group and anything can happen there's no way Chelsea were the best side in Europe last year but that doesn't matter. I think quarter finals is a realistic expectation for this squad of players.

League

Well where do we start. First forget what everyone else is doing and focus on us last season the home form was awful and Utd went behind in games way to many times that needs to stop. We had a decent enough first half of the season but when City cranked up the pressure we fell away and kind of ended up coasting into second place well off the pace, the title race was basically over by the end of January. That can't happen this season Utd have got to mount a serious enough title that they've still in the race with 10 games to go. Now if City go back to being a 100 point team that will be tough but Utd have got to find a way of going with them.

I always look at the league in points total a realistic title challenge needs us to add at least 10 points to last seasons total which was 74. So points wise if we get into the mid 80's I'm happy if someone goes over 90 points then fair play to them I don't think we're quiet ready to do that just yet.
 
I hope the Pogba show doesn't disrupt us. Ideally I'd like that resolved before the season starts.

If he goes and he's not replaced I think we struggle. Although I think we struggle with McFred. I wonder if we could get Rice, or swap Fred/Lingard for Rice

But for me, a real good challenge, there are some tasty sides so I'm not saying an all out win the league. I'd also like us to be a bit more agressive and score some big games. I think I'd like to see an improvement in our playing style.

CL, I want a semi.
 
In terms of the league (because ultimately that is the goal for United right? CL and trophies are nice but the league is the true measure of success) I think United are still a little short.

Look Sancho and Varane are truly fantastic signings for them. 2 top top players who are easily top 10 (if not top 5) in the world at their positions. That's a major boost and improves United both in terms of first XI but also their squad. Lindelof as a 3rd choice CB for cup games etc? Yeah that's absolutely fine here and there.

But I still think they are short and until they sign a really good DM they will fall short. Every top team in Europe has a top DM. United don't. Now I actually think if they could get a top DM (and I don't think they will this year) then Pogba going wouldn't be a big issue. I think he's a headache the club don't need. Sure Pogba alongside a top DM would be great but I think United have options even if he leaves. I think McTominay would excel with a top DM behind him where he can roam and get forwards with his engine.

They've definitely gotten closer to City as things stand but I expect City to get a better points total next year... So I think they'll still be about 8-10 points shy.
 
One thing we need to do is fly out the traps. I can't remember the last time we had a real good start but we've got a terrible fixture list come October. And need to be riding the momentum.
 
City and Chelsea are yet to show their strength in the transfer market. I expect them to get better too. Liverpool, its down to money with them.

we do need a good start which could be a problem with players coming back from the Euro's.

I still think we need a RB and CM.

And maybe, as much as I like Pogba, he might need to go to juggle the pieces. But that will drag and drag and drag as it does with Raiola.
 
We had a good start the season Mourinho finished second and in Van Gaal's second season but we barely lasted the pace until Xmas then fell away.

The Mourinho season bit like last season City went on a mental winning run won something like 19 out of 20 and just pulled clear of everyone.

Good starts are vital you look at the teams who are winning the league now very few have had a dodgy start you need to put together a very long winning run to really build that points total and beat down your rivals confidence to win the league.

The days of a side folding a 10 point lead at the top seem to be over once a team gets clear now they never get caught.
 
Everyone agreed we needed three, more likely four (possibly five but that was never going to happen) to improve and close the gap on City (and Liverpool two years ago). So far we've managed two - if the club and some of its supporters think that's anywhere near enough they are living in la la land.

City have strengthened and I think will still get Kane or at least one more player, Chelsea are almost certain to get Lukaku and who knows who else. We are going to be left battling just to get top four unless there are things going on behind the scenes that no journalist has picked up on (unlikely)...
 
A strong league run, within a few points of the champions if we fall short.

At least knockout stages of the ECL.

Domestic cups depend on the draw. Would like to get at least to a final.

An improvement in playing style, especially against the sides who sit deep.
 
Less PR and spin from the club if we are out of the title race before Christmas wouldn't go a miss either
 
In terms of aims for the season for me it depends on if we keep Pogba and get a DM. I'm not setting my targets before I'm sure if that.

If the above happens I expect us to either win it or take it to the last game of the season with a genuine chance of winning it.
 
IDFD said:
In terms of aims for the season for me it depends on if we keep Pogba and get a DM. I'm not setting my targets before I'm sure if that.
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You best set your targets bud... Because they aren't going to lose Pogba but they aren't going to add a DM either.
 
Inter want Martial apparantly. 50m

Problem is, we only have Greenwood at the start of the season.
 
Still too much of the window left and potentially big changes upcoming to set realistic targets. As we live and breathe right now, we've certainly improved our creativity up front, which was a problem in too many matches especially vs a low block, and our defensive solidity which will avoid the stupid goals we conceded too many times last season. Adding a set piece specialist coach will become a big story later in the season as an improvement scoring and defending set pieces would be huge. That being said, we don't have enough to match City, however a lot can still happen before the window shuts.

Potentially, we could sign a DM, sell Pogba, ship Martial to Inter and sign Griezmann or some combination of the above and transform our side. Or City could sign Kane, Liverpool could sign Griezmann and we stand pat and suddenly things are much harder.

See what happens come the end of the window.
 
State your targets there’s enough transfer threads if you don’t have the guts to do it before the end of the transfer window that’s on you ;)
 
Well my predictions tell you what I expect pretty much. Second place. But if we get a DM that changes. I feel we are a DM away from being able to have a starting 11 that winning the league is the only target.

With the signings of Varane and Sancho we've nailed the first two things I wanted and now a DM puts us over the edge.
 
IDFD said:
Well my predictions tell you what I expect pretty much. Second place. But if we get a DM that changes. I feel we are a DM away from being able to have a starting 11 that winning the league is the only target.

With the signings of Varane and Sancho we've nailed the first two things I wanted and now a DM puts us over the edge.
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Always felt Utd need to improve all the way through the spine to win a title

GK - still no proven world class option here
CB - Varane hopefully box ticked
CM - not addressed
CF - praying for Cavani to stay fit, Martial finally delivering or Greenwood suddenly kicking on.

I think you can win the league without a world class centre forward if you share the goals around especially the way wide players score now but I don’t think you can win it without a top keeper and a midfield that dominates the game.

Certainly taken a step forward this summer but not enough in my opinion.
 
I still have enough faith in De Gea and think his confidence will come flying back with a solid pairing in front of him. I don't believe he's done at 30. I just can't have it.

And Greenwood will kick on. I've no worries about us up top now.
 
IDFD said:
I still have enough faith in De Gea and think his confidence will come flying back with a solid pairing in front of him. I don't believe he's done at 30. I just can't have it.

And Greenwood will kick on. I've no worries about us up top now.
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I admire the optimism on De Gea but I’m not having it. I think his reflexes are gone so he can’t pull off those close range saves and he’s glued to his goal line something that has got worse in recent seasons and is being more exposed by the modern game. Was a great player but it’s 3 pretty unconvincing seasons in a row.

I hope you are right on Greenwood but I want to see him bagging headers and tap ins to convince me he’s a centre forward to me he looks another winger. He did do well playing central in the second half of last season though when Cavani was out.
 
Daily Mirror reporting. If true, we can give up any hope of a title challenge. Everyone knows we were 3-4 (possibly even five) players shot last season. We need to get Edwin VdS in as woodward's replacement asap before we descend into mediocracy for years on end
  • Manchester United have ended their interest in signing Atletico Madrid defender Kieran Trippier and will not make any further signings this summer.
 
Trippier to me always felt a bit luxury the midfield needed the money not a backup right back.

Worst case keep Dalot and hope he can cover for AWB this season.

It’s also hard to bang on about money when the clubs just done £100m on two players won’t be to many clubs topping that in Europe this summer.
 
feck Trippier, never wanted him, and we don't need to be chasing 30 year old players if we're trying to build a team that can compete for a few seasons in a row. Dalot is still a question mark. I don't think he's good enough for us and not featuring regularly is not going to help him improve to the point where we can rely on him.

all that aside, we need that central midfielder, stat.
 
jsp said:
State your targets there’s enough transfer threads if you don’t have the guts to do it before the end of the transfer window that’s on you ;)
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Alright you big bully... :p

If we're going to win the league we need the following to happen:

Maguire/Varane to become peak Rio/Vidic - 75% chance of happening
Pogba to put in 8+/10 performances in 8+/10 matches - 50% chance of happening
One of Fred/McTominay to boss the DM position - 15% chance of happening
Shaw to continue his Jose Mourinho revenge tour - 90% chance of happening
VdB to offer something beside and in replacement of Bruno - 60% chance of happening
3 of Sancho, Rashford, Greenwood, Cavani, Martial, Amad or Shoretire to be in form at the same time - 50% chance of happening
DdG to become peak...well...DdG - 65% chance of happening
Bruno to regain/find/keep form and not be knackered come the spring - 70% chance of happening (needs VdB or Pogba to step up so he can be rested)
Luck with health and suspensions - crap shoot %

Of course we could get lucky and City could suffer injuries in defence and stutter out of the blocks while we go on a run, but I think barring something incredible, second place is probably our ceiling.

Chelsea could go either way, with Tuchel's end of season being their new normal, or they could regress to the mean. Last season Liverpool is hopefully more indicative of their level than the 100 point seasons.

As things stand, I'd happily take second place again because it would mean we are the best of the non-oil doped clubs, and a title challenge into April/May would be outstanding.

I think we need to win one of the cups and get this whole bottlers thing off our backs, and learn how to win, which should be within our capabilities.

Second with the CL - 9.5/10
Second and a proper title challenge with one of the domestic cups - 9/10
Third/Fourth with one of the domestic cups - 8/10
Second with nothing - 7/10
Third/Fourth with nothing - 6/10
 
jsp said:
Trippier to me always felt a bit luxury the midfield needed the money not a backup right back.

Worst case keep Dalot and hope he can cover for AWB this season.

It’s also hard to bang on about money when the clubs just done £100m on two players won’t be to many clubs topping that in Europe this summer.
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City have done that on one player and Chelsea about to follow suit (or close as damn it)
 
mitchmouse said:
City have done that on one player and Chelsea about to follow suit (or close as damn it)
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I wonder what those two clubs have in common?

Maybe rich owners who pumped money into football clubs for non footballing reasons.
 
So do you guys think united are done for the summer? And if they are how do you feel about their business? Got to be slightly mixed doesn't it?
 
RichH2016 said:
So do you guys think united are done for the summer? And if they are how do you feel about their business? Got to be slightly mixed doesn't it?
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Think a few outs and 1 more in but more likely to be Trippier than the quality CM we need.

Still nailing to problem positions in a pandemic hit market has to be seen as good.

If it was a school grade it would be a B getting the centre mid would make it an A.
 
Unfortunately I think for United not getting a CM is going to prove to be a big mistake. They simply can't advance in terms of their approach and style until they nail that down. They have to continue to be conservative in midfield.
 
jsp said:
I wonder what those two clubs have in common?

Maybe rich owners who pumped money into football clubs for non footballing reasons.
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so? they've also brought lots of success. And sorry, as much as I don't have a great deal of love for Abramovich, you can't say he doesn't love the club
 
Difficult to find the money for the CM we need I guess after spending 100m.

Rice would be 70m wouldn't he? what about Tielemans? all expensive I suppose. No point spending 40m and getting another Fred, we need to make sure it's right this time.

If we are changing formation, then maybe what we have will suit that more.
 
Mr C said:
If we are changing formation, then maybe what we have will suit that more.
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I think that's the issue though. To change formation they need to add a player who can play the sole DM role. They play McTominay and Fred because neither can do the role on their own. If they want to play Pogba and Fernandes together then they need a DM.
 
Maybe they think Varane will amke the difference to the midfield play.

As sad as it, I wasn't thinking McTom or Fred, but the pensioner Matic :)
 
I expect Matic to start the season. Think we'll see a 3 man midfield of Matic, Donny and Bruno this weekend
 

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