Football News: Which Player Positions Does Manchester United Need Improving The Most

Manchester United are currently having a better season than many of us expected after the first two league games this season. The steps forward have been massive, winning one cup, in with a chance of two more and one of the favourites for top four.

Not only have we seen a big up turn in results, but in performances as well. Last season even when we won it often felt lucky or at least with a side of fortune.

However this season on the whole our wins have felt fully deserved and our loses have been the results that have generally felt unlucky.

We have now played 48 games this season across all competitions, and we can probably count on one hand the number of bad performances we have had.

We are well on our way to returning to winning ways and being a team that challenges for every major honour.

Which brings me on to the summer transfer window and where we can improve to take the next step.

The question I want to ask everyone is what positions do you think are in most need of improving, and in what order of priority?

For me the single most important position is the striker role. Where we lack in both quality AND depth. If we consider Rashford a wide player (which is probably his best position) then the only recognised options at CF are Antony "Sicknote" Martial, and loanee Wout Weghorst. Neither are good enough to be first or even second choice either due to a lack of quality or the ability to actually be available when you need them.

What sort of striker really depends on how EtH wants to play. For me the perfect solution though is to sign two strikers if possible giving the manager the option to tweak the team and adjust the tactics accordingly.

The second most important position in my opinion is the goalkeeping position. While DDG has recovered back to close to his best in terms of shot stopping, he just isn't good enough in other areas of his game to play for a club at the highest level. 5 years ago if he was available every club bar Bayern Munich would have been interested in signing him. Now though I don't see any side challenging for the league title in any of Europe's top five leagues being interested in him even on a free. A goalkeeper who is comfortable with the ball at their feet, who can play out from the back, and even offer something in terms of being a sweeper keeper would improve the team a lot.
It would enable us to dominate the ball better, build out from the back, and play through the press.

If you were to identify our biggest weakness currently it's our susceptibility to being pressed high. We get hemmed in and cannot play out when a team presses us high. Its how we give away most of the chances against us and limits our ability to control/ dictate the game.

Yesterday against Everton they didn't press us high and as such they never really offered anything as a threat against us. We consistently struggle and drop points against sides that press us high. Which is why a solution to that is likely to see the biggest improvement in our side.

Beyond a striker (or two) and a top class modern keeper the next area of need seems to be more about strength in depth rather than improving the first 11. With midfield being the most important area. Beyond Casemiro and Eriksen our next best midfielder is a loanee (Sabitzer), with serious questions marks over both the suitability and the quality of players like Fred, McTominay and Donny. Considering the only midfield options who are good enough are both 31 years old we could do with a player or two in midfield to rotate around with them.

Other areas I think depend on departures. If a CB leaves (Maguire or Lindelof) then a back up CB will be needed. If AWB leaves then a new RB to challenge Dalot will be needed.

For me it's clear:

1, Striker (or two)
2, Modern Goalkeeper
3, depth in Midfield.

What positions do you guys feel are most important and why?

Written by Shappy April 09 2023 14:01:04