What killed me about this game was the giving away of possession, over and over again. Really undisciplined.

It seems a bit strange that, for example Leicester's fullbacks Pereira and Chilwell seem better than United's. Looking at Young yesterday, TBH I'd rather have Fosu-Mensah in there.

Also Spurs, City, Chelsea, I think all of them have better options on full backs than us.

Some mid-table teams have players like Doherty, Wan-Bissaka etc. who all seem like an upgrade compared to Young, Valencia, Dalot.

While I believe in Luke Shaw on the LB, I really wouldn't mind someone new on the RB.

Similar with the RW - while I'd surely prefer United to buy one of the best players like Mbappe, Dembele etc., at the moment I'd be pleased even with a slightly lesser option, as long as it is a proper right attacker (not a left/central midfielder/attacked who might also play on the right) who can skip a defender one on one, cross / shoot the ball properly, but in the same time remain disciplined when there is a need to track back.
Unfortunately, in the last 5-6 years we missed the opportunities to bring players like Sadio Mane, Leroy Sané, Lucas Moura, Douglas Costa etc., but there must be some other players out there who could make our right side more productive and more dangerous.

Maybe we can develop Tahith Chong into a right winger for the future, but I don't think it could be done over night, so I think we must buy someone in the Summer, as it is long overdue.

Until then, try with Rashford, Lukaku, Sanchez and please, please Ole try Martial as a number 9 sometimes. Why is that spot reserved for Rashford and Lukaku? I am sure that Martial is more clinical and he should just be given a streak of games there.

It seems a bit strange that, for example Leicester's fullbacks Pereira and Chilwell seem better than United's. Looking at Young yesterday, TBH I'd rather have Fosu-Mensah in there.

Also Spurs, City, Chelsea, I think all of them have better options on full backs than us.

Some mid-table teams have players like Doherty, Wan-Bissaka etc. who all seem like an upgrade compared to Young, Valencia, Dalot.

I wouldn't say our FB options are that bad. I do agree that City have better options, especially at right back, Liverpool as well. Chelsea.. well, Azpilicueta is good but is he great? Arsenal's RBs don't look awesome. Bellerin is also good, but hasn't made the step up from good to great. As for Doherty - he plays a different position because it's a 3-5-2 so he should be expected to be more visible offensively. And his defensive role is different as well. I'm not sure we can compare different postiions. Wan-Bissaka - well, he has looked good and is of the right age, but I'm not entirely sure about his offensive contribution. Might be because he plays at Palace, but..

The thing with buying a right back is that we have Dalot. I don't know why he isn't getting more game time, but I think that there isn't much of a point to buy someone if the club and Ole believe in him.

I'm not sure Pereira and Chilwell were better than our options tbh. They're good players, but that's about it. After all Pereira was the one that lost the ball for our goal..

As for Fosu-Mensah.. well, he hasn't exactly set the world alight at Fulham. I'm starting to doubt how good he really is.

Similar with the RW - while I'd surely prefer United to buy one of the best players like Mbappe, Dembele etc., at the moment I'd be pleased even with a slightly lesser option, as long as it is a proper right attacker (not a left/central midfielder/attacked who might also play on the right) who can skip a defender one on one, cross / shoot the ball properly, but in the same time remain disciplined when there is a need to track back.

I don't agree here at all. I don't want us buying another Ashley Young. Nothing against him personally and he has turned out better than I expected, because I never would have imagined that he'd be willing to become a full back and play a role there for us. But as a winger he was a squad player at best.

IMO the target should be someone who might be the next big thing. For that reason I wouldn't mind if we paid a lot for someone like Sancho. Or someone else who isn't quite the readymade player but who could be.

Until then, try with Rashford, Lukaku, Sanchez and please, please Ole try Martial as a number 9 sometimes. Why is that spot reserved for Rashford and Lukaku? I am sure that Martial is more clinical and he should just be given a streak of games there.

I think that when both Rashford and Martial play(especially if Lingard plays as well), then the number 9 role isn't fixed really. It's just a starting postion and the attacking players are encouraged to swap positions and move a lot.

I also feel that since Ole came in Rashford has been really clinical and scored good goals. I can't really see where hasn't been clinical. Perhaps the header against Leicester was the one chance where he could've done better, but other than that his movement and scoring has been first class. I think Rashford deserves a run of games through the middle, so far he's been excellent there. I don't have a good argument against Martial, but I don't feel like Rashford deserves to be moved from that position after his recent performances.

I also feel that since Ole came in Rashford has been really clinical and scored good goals. I can't really see where hasn't been clinical. Perhaps the header against Leicester was the one chance where he could've done better, but other than that his movement and scoring has been first class. I think Rashford deserves a run of games through the middle, so far he's been excellent there. I don't have a good argument against Martial, but I don't feel like Rashford deserves to be moved from that position after his recent performances.

A clear chance missed against Burnley in the beginning of the game comes to mind first, apart from the header against Leicester which you've already mentioned.
There were other situations in this and last season where it just seemed he didn't have that innate ice-cold finishing instinct, even though we can all easily agree that he is quite brilliant for his age. He can score a tremendous goal, but then he can also miss an easy chance. Of course, this can be improved with experience.

I've got nothing against Rashford mind you, he seems like a good kid and he's one of the most prospective forwards in EPL, but I simply think Martial is a better finisher at the moment.
Since Rashford has great pace, dribbling and shooting ability as well, I think in a combination with Martial it would be slightly better for United if the latter played as a number 9 and the former started the attacks from wider positions. It's not a huge difference between the two, but I think Martial is cooler, more concentrated in front of goal and a bit more precise.

There is also a kind of selfishness that Rashford developed lately, which I don't quite approve. I understand that a striker needs to be a bit "selfish" at times and maybe Rashford got the instructions to try and shoot more, but I think he is exaggerating at times and could play a bit more for the team in certain situations. I hope he will develop in a right way, keep cool and that he won't let his head being turned by the media, who are already moving him to Real Madrid and pronouncing him the next Ronaldo.

I've got nothing against Rashford mind you, he seems like a good kid and he's one of the most prospective forwards in EPL, but I simply think Martial is a better finisher at the moment.

Looking at the goals he has scored, these have been very good finishes. He's been really calm in front of the goal generally.

Maybe right now Martial is slightly better at finishing, but I don't think it's a big difference. However I feel like Rashfords movement is better and he is more urgent in trying to make things happen.

In the end I don't mind either way. I just feel like it would not be fair to Rashford to move him after he's had a very good run of games as a striker and things are generally working.

For me the bigger problem in the last few games has been that the intensity has come down a notch compared to the first few games under Ole. I guess it was inevitable, but this means that at times we're not moving the ball as quickly and purposefully as we did in those first few games. I hope Ole can bring that intensity back.

작성자 chuksi :

I would've preferred Mata yesterday. He is exactly the opposite - not good when we play on the counter, but much more likely to contribute when we need to create something against a set defense. I would probably have picked Sanchez-Rashford-Mata as the starting trio.

Please no more Mata on the right. I was going mad vs Burnley at Mata, who wasted a number of promising opportunities when found open on the right edge of the penalty box, just because he can't cross with his right foot... Perhaps he could work with some really good RWB but they don't work together with Young.

Talking about right wingers you didn't mention Pulisic - what do you reckon of him?

I think Mata is good when we're up against teams who defend deep. He is good at coming inside and finding space there or just finding good throughballs. Of course the WB should overlap quite a bit to make sure we don't become narrow, but in general he is very good. He also has the knack of finding himself in scoring positions when we attack down the other side. He isn't a winger in the sense that United wingers have been during the Fergie era, but he can help the team in a somewhat different way.

As for Pulisic - he's just gone to Chelsea for a big sum so there's no point talking about him, is there? :)

I like Mata very much in terms of intelligence and technique, but imo he is quite limited due to lack of speed and strength/height. I think that the best position for him would be a number 10, but mainly in a team that keeps a lot of possession and generally has the whole midfield and attacking department capable of passing quickly and getting out of pressing.

When you put Mata wide (even if not a classic winger position), his flaws become more exposed, so it's just best to keep him going through the middle.

I can see him play well in some Spanish teams, maybe in Italy, but I don't think he is best suited for the current Man Utd team. He would fit in better at Man City imo.

I would really, really like us to have a winger with pace and dribbling ability, combined with a fullback with a good cross. It's been long overdue at Man Utd and I really think we are not asking too much. Who was our last pacy winger on the right? But I mean a true winger, not a kind of player who "might also play on the right".
Who was our last right back with a really good cross?

While I agree that Mata is not perfect, I think that between him, Lingard, Lukaku and Sanchez we have enough options so that we can exploit our opponents tactics by choosing the right wide player there.

Against teams that defend deep I'd use Mata in combination with Young - Young provides width and a good cross, Mata offers combinations in the final third, throughballs, set piece delivery. Against teams that are likely to keep possession against us I'd use Lingard or maybe even Lukaku, because they have pace and offer quite a lot on the break. Lingard perhaps in games where his defensive contribution is important, maybe marking the opposing DM while also offering something on the right side(or he could play the false nine role with Martial-Rashford as the two strikers). And Lukaku in games where we just need the right sided attacker keeping the pitch big and offering an out ball. And Sanchez could feature on the right as well, even though I'm not entirely sure what he brings to the team nowadays. He is skilled and has energy, but.. he needs to step up. His injury is perhaps keeping him back under Ole?

Mata would be better as a number 10, but Pogba has that role nowadays. He isn't strictly a number 10, but he is the most advanced midfielder and that's clearly his best position. He's been influential since he was put there and long may that continue. But the thing with Mata is that he'll drift into central areas even when he starts on the right. Against teams where we need to create a numerical advantage in the middle he helps. But if he plays, then we have to have two pacy forwards ahead of him. Otherwise we'll be too predictable and won't stretch the pitch enough.

I would really, really like us to have a winger with pace and dribbling ability, combined with a fullback with a good cross. It's been long overdue at Man Utd and I really think we are not asking too much. Who was our last pacy winger on the right? But I mean a true winger, not a kind of player who "might also play on the right".
Who was our last right back with a really good cross?

John O'Shea? :D

Nah, actually I don't know. I don't think Valencia during his full back days has had a good cross. Young? I think his delivery is good, but the box is already full of opponents when he crosses so it's hard to pick someone out. Rafael? I think his value was more about combining with the others and not really old-school crossing. So I guess it was Neville, who crossed well. Although I'd say that Young right now has a very good delivery.

As for wingers on the right, that's easy - the last pacy winger was Valencia.

IMO buying someone there should be a priority, but it shouldn't be that we buy the best available if the ones available aren't really that good. It's not a horrible situation there, we just need an upgrade.

If we're already talking about summer transfers, then right now that's probably the main area where we need improvement. Centre back is another that could probably use an upgrade, even though since Ole came we have been good defensively. Right back is a tricky one, because of Dalot. And Fosu-Mensah and Tuanzebe. CB is the same - are they being considered as future United players or not good enough?

But I'd also want another midfielder. We just don't have too many of them. Pogba and Herrera are certain starters, Matic has started as well and been pretty good under Ole, but I feel he won't be as good next season and we could use someone there. Fred is there, but competing with Herrera for a position, not Matic and the young ones Pereira and McTominay.. I don't even know what to think of them. Pereira is a good player, but so far hasn't impressed, McTominay - who knows, he might turn out the new O'Shea-type of a squad player. They see something in him. Wouldn't mind it if the bar was raised there, we're slow moving the ball at times.

Against teams that defend deep I'd use Mata in combination with Young - Young provides width and a good cross, Mata offers combinations in the final third, throughballs, set piece delivery.

Yet it didn't work against Burnley, as Mata was dominated physically by their players and the crosses were also useless, since they have tall and strong defenders positioned well.

The only thing that could work were good and quick combinations on the ground, especially through the middle, some intelligent one-twos, but we weren't creative enough for that.

Imo, Young doesn't have a very good cross, as he mostly just sends the ball into the area without looking for anyone in particular. We could really use someone with a better delivery, as with our type of football we will probably have lots of situations where the fullback gets the occasion to send a cross in, especially if he hits the ball first time with good technique and self-confidence.
Dalot seems to have a fine cross in him (apart from fine technique for a fullback) and that's one of the main reasons I'd like to see him get more chances. If he proves to be good enough also on the defensive side, we might even go into the next season without buying a right back, given that we also have players like Fosu-Mensah and Tuanzebe (I guess Darmian will be sold in the Summer, Valencia will leave and Young...dunno...either retire or go to a weaker club).

Whats your meaning about the job that Solskjær has done. Will he maintain his results or is he not good enough?

I agree that it wasn't a great game against Burnley, but I don't think it was because Mata was poor. If we look at it, then Burnley scored from a mistake from Pereira and another, but overall had only six shots. United had 28 with 9 shots on target. I don't think we had so many shots even once under Jose. Mata created four scoring chances for others and had 3 shots(one was a free kick).

But in general I think the problem was more with our midfield - they didn't manage to bypass the Burnley press. Burnley are actually pretty good at pressing and making it hard for teams to get in good positions. I think the fact that Pereira and Lukaku started also played a role, because Lukaku doesn't combine as well as Rashford might and Pereira.. well, he didn't have a good game unfortunately. It was a good decision to start him, because it was probably the type of a game that could suit him, but it didn't work this time.

Imo, Young doesn't have a very good cross, as he mostly just sends the ball into the area without looking for anyone in particular. We could really use someone with a better delivery, as with our type of football we will probably have lots of situations where the fullback gets the occasion to send a cross in, especially if he hits the ball first time with good technique and self-confidence.

He does put it in an area, but I think very few players can do much more. I think that crossing like that and creating great chances depends a lot on luck or someone making a mistake. In general the better option is to play someone free in the box to pass it to the striker instead of a cross from near the touchline. Or if the cross is somehow unexpected and the defense has to move quickly to a new position. That was partly the reason why under Moyes against Fulham we were ridiculed as well - all those crosses were decent, but really predictable and even though they created two goals, they felt like poor decisions. I think it's a bit too much to expect crosses to be pinpoint all the time. If you look at full matches, even people like Neville and Beckham missed their targets generally and you could say they put the ball into an area.

Dalot seems to have a fine cross in him (apart from fine technique for a fullback) and that's one of the main reasons I'd like to see him get more chances. If he proves to be good enough also on the defensive side, we might even go into the next season without buying a right back, given that we also have players like Fosu-Mensah and Tuanzebe (I guess Darmian will be sold in the Summer, Valencia will leave and Young...dunno...either retire or go to a weaker club).

I just read today that the club is likely to extend Youngs deal for a season because Ole seems to feel that Young is influential off the pitch as well and setting a good example and helping the younger players etc. I don't mind. I hope someone forces himself to be first choice and ups the ante, because I see how big of a difference the full backs made for City. But then again I wouldn't be too unhappy if we bought someone new there. I just don't know a lot of great talents. Achraf Hakimi probably won't be available, although he already seemed a good talent 2 years ago in the summer friendly against Real(they already have Carvajal and Odriozola there so they might sell?). I think if we do go for someone, then it should be a young player who could be our RB for a decade. (Well, that should always be the aim unless the circumstances are special).

My guess is that Ole is already working on moulding the squad and thinking about which transfers to suggets to the board so that we could have a good summer. Even if he isn't staying. He seems to understand that the time to deal with transfers is now - at least figure out the targets now so that the squad would be ready before pre-season.

Against teams that are likely to keep possession against us I'd use Lingard or maybe even Lukaku, because they have pace and offer quite a lot on the break. Lingard perhaps in games where his defensive contribution is important, maybe marking the opposing DM while also offering something on the right side(or he could play the false nine role with Martial-Rashford as the two strikers).

Maybe the only position where I'd use Lingard is through the middle, with the other two attackers (probably Martial and Rashford) moving wide and stretching the defence, in order to let him make the runs in between. I think that's the best (and maybe the only) way for him to penetrate the opposition defence, even though he often does it in a wild way, always on the brink of losing the ball.

Anyway, if we really must use him (and you know what I feel), then I'd use him through the middle, especially when we need to press high.

However, I'd avoid relying on Lingard as a starter, as I simply think that we need more quality in the first 11.
Hence, I'd rather use him in specific role, only in certain games (that's just because I know we won't sell him).

I just don't know a lot of great talents. Achraf Hakimi probably won't be available, although he already seemed a good talent 2 years ago in the summer friendly against Real(they already have Carvajal and Odriozola there so they might sell?). I think if we do go for someone, then it should be a young player who could be our RB for a decade. (Well, that should always be the aim unless the circumstances are special).

I'd have to think about that, but imo there are very good players we could go for.

For example, Klopp did a great job with Andy Robertson, as he is fundamental for Liverpool this season. I've seen him play for Hull City and I remember telling some Liverpool fans they did a good job bringing him, but they didn't believe it then and just continued moaning about their club not bringing in some expensive players.

This is why good scouting is crucial, but also a bit of luck sometimes, as a certain player might hit the ground running, just as he can find some difficulties fitting in.

작성자 Kaffenyteren :

Whats your meaning about the job that Solskjær has done. Will he maintain his results or is he not good enough?

I have some doubts myself, whether these good results are Ole's merit, or he is just flying on the initial feeling of liberty once Mourinho is gone and the shackles are off.

I guess it's a bit of both.

The players don't have an "alibi" anymore (I mean especially Pogba, who intentionally didn't give 100% under Mourinho), they have the liberty to attack and then we also had a streak of not-so-difficult opponents.

Against Spurs we were a bit lucky, but maybe our best game was the one against Arsenal.

I think Solskjaer is intelligent and he will learn quickly from some errors. At least I hope he will.
Then, I am not sure whether it's him making the main decisions, or maybe Phelan, with maybe even some advice from Fergie.

The thing I like most about Ole is that he is 100% Man Utd.
You can simply feel that he lives and breathes United, that he is a Red Devil through and through :)
Also in his interviews and press conferences, practically every thing he says is almost the same as I'd say it myself. That's really fresh, after years of Moyes, Van Gaal and Mourinho.

Most importantly, we are playing nice, attacking, exciting football again.

However, as I told when Ole was appointed, it is important not to exaggerate with going back to true United style, in sense of feeling the necessity to play some homegrown players at all costs. Just to give an example, players like Lingard or McTominay do not have enough quality and talent for Man Utd starting 11 and I frankly don't think they ever will, so we must not rely too much on those kind of players just because they are homegrown (or English for what it's worth). Fergie himself made some errors by relying too much and insisting on players like Smalling, Jones, Evans etc. when it was obvious that they would never reach the world class level. This way, we missed on bringing some better players, as we were stuck with the hope that our "eternal promises" would eventually blossom, which by the way never happened. They were always on the level of mid-table teams and remained so. The same will happen now if we insist on certain playes, so Ole should draw some experience from the past and be very wise and in the same time very brave to go against the tide, when the public opinion in England would probably want him to go with many homegrown players. I mean, it is great to go with homegrown, but only IF there is enough talent. For example, I'd give chances to Gomes, Chong and I'd also get Tuanzebe and Fosu-Mensah back from loan, while in the Summer I'd say goodbye to Darmian, Rojo, Smalling, Jones, Mata, Sanchez, (maybe) Young, etc.
Next Summer will be crucial for Solskjaer, or whoever is going to be our manager by then.
It might be the last opportunity to really, truly renew the squad properly.

If we have the ambition to get back on the top of Premier League and top of Europe (and United must always have such ambition), then we must be very wise and buy the right players, while at the same time we need to sell some of our own, without getting too emotional. Unfortunately, there is no other way.

작성자 Nemanja77 :

Against teams that are likely to keep possession against us I'd use Lingard or maybe even Lukaku, because they have pace and offer quite a lot on the break. Lingard perhaps in games where his defensive contribution is important, maybe marking the opposing DM while also offering something on the right side(or he could play the false nine role with Martial-Rashford as the two strikers).

Maybe the only position where I'd use Lingard is through the middle, with the other two attackers (probably Martial and Rashford) moving wide and stretching the defence, in order to let him make the runs in between. I think that's the best (and maybe the only) way for him to penetrate the opposition defence, even though he often does it in a wild way, always on the brink of losing the ball.

Anyway, if we really must use him (and you know what I feel), then I'd use him through the middle, especially when we need to press high.

However, I'd avoid relying on Lingard as a starter, as I simply think that we need more quality in the first 11.
Hence, I'd rather use him in specific role, only in certain games (that's just because I know we won't sell him).

I think you're harsh on Lingard. He isn't as good as Rashford or Martial, but he is a bit like Park. He adds quite a bit to the team with his pressing. He feels to me like Mane at Liverpool. Mane isn't a great player on his own either, but his running and pressing and just doing the dirty work well helps the team a lot. If I compare some stats about how many goals they're expected to score and assist, then Mane has 0,55 per game and Lingard has 0,45 per game. Under Ole it's been 0,52 per game for Lingard.

I mean - compare Lingards pressing and Lukaku or Martial pressing. The difference is huge.

I do agree that if we were to buy a top level right winger, then Lingard would probably be in a backup role like Park was. And he'd probably be fine with it. And I'd be happy with it. In some games we need different skills. But in big games I think he is one of our most important players. For me looking at how he plays it's not surprising that he has such a good goalscoring record against big teams.

I also agree that he is not a right winger, but I mentioned him because he is one of those who can fill the role of the third attacker next to Rashford and Martial. (It feels so strange that it's widely accepted now that they're the two who are really unlikely to be dropped for the most important games considering how it's been throughout Jose's time).

작성자 Nemanja77 :

I just don't know a lot of great talents. Achraf Hakimi probably won't be available, although he already seemed a good talent 2 years ago in the summer friendly against Real(they already have Carvajal and Odriozola there so they might sell?). I think if we do go for someone, then it should be a young player who could be our RB for a decade. (Well, that should always be the aim unless the circumstances are special).

I'd have to think about that, but imo there are very good players we could go for.

For example, Klopp did a great job with Andy Robertson, as he is fundamental for Liverpool this season. I've seen him play for Hull City and I remember telling some Liverpool fans they did a good job bringing him, but they didn't believe it then and just continued moaning about their club not bringing in some expensive players.

This is why good scouting is crucial, but also a bit of luck sometimes, as a certain player might hit the ground running, just as he can find some difficulties fitting in.

I agree. I just haven't really seen anyone who has really made me go wow. Wan-Bissaka has had some very good games, but it's tough to judge his attacking ability at Palace where he doesn't get forward as much. I would be very happy if we bought him for example. But I'd like to see Dalot given another chance or two, because it would be a waste to have two young RBs in a club who are both really good. We need improvements elsewhere as well. And while Dalot has had some injuries and the last game wasn't great, before that he looked very good.

And I agree on scouting as well - from what I've heard, United are not doing that well on that front in recent years. I've heard that they don't really use analytics and it feels like the club is missing out on players nad buying players for prices that are too high at times. I think it's important to scout and actually try to get agreements in the next month or two. It should be clear for Ole and the staff soon enough where we need improvement, where we need to replace older players and what types of players we need for those positions(that goes especially for midfielders, because Matic and Fred are too different to be considered the same position).

작성자 Kaffenyteren :

Whats your meaning about the job that Solskjær has done. Will he maintain his results or is he not good enough?

I'm not totally convinced yet. The first few matches were really nice and I liked the energy and urgency the team showed. That was fun to watch and the results matched the effort. Since then the energy and urgency have returned to normal levels and while the style and the effort are still good and the general gameplan has also been old-school Fergie-type United, but it has reverted back to normal.

Unless things go really smoothly for the next few months I guess I'm going to be hard to convince, because I think it's a rather big gamble. He has managed successfully in Norway, but didn't really succeed at Cardiff. The reasons for that are unknown for me, but it makes me cautious. He clearly understands the club and values he is representing, but is that enough? The other obvious candidate in Pochettino has shown that he can overachieve with different clubs in PL and also seems to have a similar view of how football should be played and how everything should be handled compared to me. In a sense he should 'beat' Pochettino to the job.

But it's hard for me (and all of us fans) to know how well he is doing. After all the matches and performances are just a result of everything that happens on the training ground. I don't know what happens there. The signs are good, because one can see the improvement in players and the tactical outlook and mentality is much better as well. Even selling Fellaini is a good sign. But such signs can deceive, because the media feeds us a narrative and it might be easy not to see some signs of things that aren't going as expected. Who knows how things are in a month or two.

I do hope things continue like this, because if things work out, then everyone will be happy. But in general I think we can judge things much better in March. Then the 'new manager' enthusiasm will have worn off and probably we will have seen how the team reacts to a loss as well and we'll have a much better idea about how big of an improvement there is.

I think you're harsh on Lingard. He isn't as good as Rashford or Martial, but he is a bit like Park.

Exactly. I didn't like Park either :)
I know I may sound harsh, but the truth is I am just trying to be realistic. I know it's important to have a player in the team that is running and pressing a lot, but I don't like it if running is about (or almost) everything a certain player can offer. I'd prefer someone who runs like hell, but then, when we attack he doesn't present a weak link in our "passing chain". Or, I'd prefer someone like Kanté, extremely important in the defensive part, but a very wise player in possession who doesn't waste much and limits himself to things he does best. Or course, it's hard to compare, as their positions are different, but I am just saying that if need to have a "runner" in the first 11, then it should be someone in a more defensive role, while the attackers must have much more than running itself.
Then, I don't think Lingard is very good in the defensive part either. OK, he does the pressing, but he doesn't really recover many balls and isn't a big obstacle for the opponents, as he is not capable of harassing them like, for example, Herrera.

He feels to me like Mane at Liverpool. Mane isn't a great player on his own either, but his running and pressing and just doing the dirty work well helps the team a lot.

Mane is a much better player than Lingard imo. I don't think we could get Mane even if we gave them Lingard plus 30mil.

What do you think, if we decided to sell Lingard now, how much money could we get? How many big clubs would really want to buy him. Honestly.

If, for example, Liverpool should decide to sell Mane, I think that lots of big clubs would be in line to buy him. Unfortunately, I couldn't say the same for Lingard. Just trying to stay realistic.

I mean, it is great to go with homegrown, but only IF there is enough talent. For example, I'd give chances to Gomes, Chong and I'd also get Tuanzebe and Fosu-Mensah back from loan, while in the Summer I'd say goodbye to Darmian, Rojo, Smalling, Jones, Mata, Sanchez, (maybe) Young, etc.
Next Summer will be crucial for Solskjaer, or whoever is going to be our manager by then.
It might be the last opportunity to really, truly renew the squad properly.

I agree on Darmian and Rojo and probably Sanchez(if he doesn't rediscover his form soon), but the rest of the sales depend on who we might get to replace them. I think the optimal amount of new players coming in per season is 3-5. And as I hope we'd buy younger players perhaps it's a good idea to keep some of the older ones you mentioned. It's not about being sentimental, but you need a mix of experience and youth. We haven't had a good mix for a while. Now Solskjaer has found a good mix of young attackers and more experienced defensive players.

I hope Gomes and/or Chong get a few games already this season, but generally the times they've played it has felt like they need another year, probably on loan somewhere. They're clearly (very) talented, but it's a pretty big step up and they'd need to dislodge pretty good players to play. I mean play regularly. They can get a taste here and there against poorer sides(hopefully one will be involved against Fulham), but that's not enough for their continued improvement. Same idea goes for Mason Greenwood I guess. He is hyped up to be a great talent, but I can't see him playing regularly at United right now so maybe he needs to go on loan for next season.

As for TFM and Tuanzebe - they're getting some games, especially Tuanzebe(although I guess he's injured now?), but TFM hasn't been able to cement his place at Fulham. It's tough to see him doing that at United if he can't do it at Fulham. They're still young, but maybe they need another season on loan somewhere where they'll get regular games. Maybe one of them is good enough to be a backup RB, but that would mean getting rid of both Young and Valencia, otherwise it's hard for them to get a game. I'm not entirely sure that would work.

I guess we'll see how things go. I would be happy if Ole took some risks with them, but the main thing is that they'd get games. That's vital at that age.