Bringing my wish list over from last year's thread:
Stays and Gos:
Erik Ten Hag-I understand he has been working in difficult circumstances this year, given the ownership changes and the absolute disaster of a roster with all the injuries. But, he also wanted many of the players who have underperformed this season, and his insistence on throwing out the 4-3-3 formation no matter the squad or opponent is very, very frustrating. If we had a full healthy roster I don't see his style of play and this roster doing any better than 4th or 5th in the league. So I have no confidence going forward that next season would be any better. Even after the FA Cup victory, my recommendation would be to say goodbye to ETH and many of his roster additions. If ETH's style is their desired style of play then I am going to just turn off Manchester United football for the next five years until a new style of play is settled on. My choice for a replacement would be Mauricio Pochettino.
Stay:
Mainoo, Garnacho, Diallo, and other young players are obvious stays, and perhaps loan outs (not Mainoo, Garnacho or Diallo) depending on who comes in next season.
Hojlund-first year hasn't yielded the goals hoped for, but I think that has a lot to do with style of play and those that surround him. He does appear to be very talented and something to build off of, but 36 shots in 28 league appearances is not good enough for a striker.
Fernandez- For better or worse, he has been our best player this season and really for the last several, leading the team this season in goals and assists. He has opened up the offense for us and I think with the right pieces around him can be a great player.
Rashford- This one I went back and forth on, but he has shown his ability in the past and it is a matter of using him properly and putting him in a good place. A bit of a fresh start might do him well, but I am willing to let a new manager have a year with him.
McTominay- He has a definite role on the squad, I am not sure if it is a full time starter or just a regular off the bench and spot starter. His goals have been invaluable this season.
Amrabat- Given all the other changes we need to make, I think he is a fine back up midfielder. The FA Cup final was arguably his best game in Red. I think he also has a role on the bench and as a spot starter. I know he is on a loan from Fiorentina, but, depending on the money, I wouldn't mind them purchasing him as he still is relatively young (27).
Mount- With the amount spent to bring him in and the drop in performance, we aren't going to get a return on him this summer, so all for letting him have a season without injuries next year and let's see how he can contribute.
Wan-Bissaka- I am not convinced he should be your starter at right back, but if we have learned anything this season it is that an abundance of depth is needed in defense. AWB is serviceable but his ability to put in crosses needs work and he is occasionally a defensive liability. He does rely on his athleticism to save his poor decision making, and that might cause issues as he gets older. Good depth, so no reason to let him go right now.
Dalot- He has probably had the best season of any player on the roster, certainly the most dependable. Unlike Wan-Bissaka, Dalot does have good crossing and finishing skills and his defense is much improved. He is a definite to hold onto.
Shaw- When healthy, Shaw is a very dependable left back. Can he regain his health and form? Hard to believe Shaw is still only 28 years old, but if the club believes he can regain his fitness then I would be all for holding onto him, but we definitely need a new left back as well for depth if Malacia is not to return.
Martinez- Of all of ETH's signings, Lisandro is probably my favorite. He is still just 26 years old, so he has a lot of soccer ahead of him, and I am hopeful this rash of injuries can be overcome. His effort level, maturity and game understanding have all been very much missed in his absence.
Lindelof- Victor has been a consistent presence and a solid contributor. I don't know that I want him as one of the two starters, but he provides good, solid depth. He is a good, consistent defender and can play multiple positions on the back line, especially if a new manager has the ability the scheme a back 3 or a back 4.
Maguire- Like Rashford, I went back and forth on Maguire, but concluded that, given the number of dismissals I think need to happen it is probably best to hold onto him. When he has been healthy this year it has been arguably his best season in Red. I think he can be a good player to start as needed, but not an every game type defender at this level anymore.
Malacia- I really hope he can come back and find his form and offer the club some depth on the wings.
Onana- Of all of ETH's signings this has probably been a top 2-3 least favorite for me. I appreciate a keeper who can play the ball with his feet, but he has to be a keeper first, and the positional awareness has not been good this season. I don't think you could get anywhere near on the market what was spent on him, so I am inclined to hold onto him with the understanding that a second keeper will be purchased who can provide depth at the position and maybe push him. Onana has played every moment of every game except one FA Cup game this season, which is just crazy. The team needs depth and he needs a competent back up.
Departures:
Martial- He needs a new start and I need to never watch his indifference on the field again. Confirmed.
Varane- I think he is ready to retire, he just does not seem interested in high level football any more, which is fine, we just do not need to rely on him. I see him making big money in a Saudi League and sharing his disinterest for playing football throughout the Middle East. Confirmed.
Antony- Maybe wherever ETH lands they will pay more than a bag of balls for him and we can get him off the books. 29 league appearances, 1 goal, 1 assist, from a front three player. Just completely unacceptable and he just isn't good enough to play for high level EPL teams. For the record, my least favorite signing of the ETH era.
Casemiro- It is time for Casemiro to go back to Brazil and be an icon in the middle of the pitch, and hopefully play a position where he does not need to track back and keep up with a forward. He is obviously too slow for this level of play anymore. For the record, he is my second least favorite signing of the ETH era, not because of him, but the price tag that it took to get a player for one good season. His drop off has been remarkable.
Eriksen- I love Eriksen's game and his tenacious efforts to recover from his heart issues. I wish we had Eriksen of 22 and not Eriksen of 32. I really hope he comes to the MLS and can drop dimes all around the US, but he is not at a top level EPL team ability wise any longer.
Greenwood- Mason needs to stay in Spain or somewhere else, so would not bring him back to the club. We can sell or loan out again, whatever will make sure he is not back in Manchester.
Sancho- Like Greenwood, Jadon needs to stay away from Manchester. He seems to excel in Dortmund, so a permanent deal back to Borussia Dortmund would be best for all.
Heaton, Bayindir- If they aren't good enough to sub Onana for a League Cup game then we probably need a different #2 keeper.
Needs
As far as needs, we need to add
1. A new manager named Pochettino and not named Teuchel
2. More depth to the spine of the club, bringing in another forward
3. A central midfielder
4. A defensive midfielder
5. at least one central defender
6. a back up keeper
7. one more wing to replace Antony, depending on the formation(s) a new manager would like to run
8. another left back.
So a lot. Time for Ineos to get busy.