Vranny

I'd only be taking Bent on a loan at his age tbh. Despite the excellent attacking instincts he possesses, I do think he relies a fair bit on speed to lose his marker too. At 29 that part of his game might be gone. He also adds nothing to the team in terms of build up, so not really a Martinez signing either.

 

There's always a point in having class players, especially if they didn't cost you an arm and a leg. However, I agree with your second part. An engine, box to box player is key for us moving forward (imo). Someone who has all the traits to slip into roles all the way through the spine (DM, CM, AM (if needed)).

 

There's plenty of those players around, problem is, they're always the 'heartbeat' of teams and usually cost the most money.

I was saying this more in relevance to our currently situation. Having two strong DM's in the first 11 would be going the Stoke way of things in my mind and the alternative reason for bringing in that sort of player would be for a Fellaini back up. I'd rather not waste wages and a transfer fee on that sort of player, when a more rounded box-to-box mid could cover a few roles in the team.

On your last line I'd honestly just put in another bid for Fer. He's had his head turned (we're finally not on the receiving end ) and seems the best at that role of the folks we've been linked with.

McCarthy could play in the middle with Gibson and Fellaini. No reason why three intelligent footballers couldn't work it all out.

It's just going to hinder Barkley's development though. I reckon young Ross would be more suited than McCarthy to the advanced position anyone would have to play next to Fellaini and Gibson too. Money can be better spent else where IMO.

Am I alone in thinking our priority is a strong defensive midfielder?

If Fellaini goes, then yes. Otherwise I don't really see the point of having two class defensive midfielders in the squad.

What I do think he need in midfield is a young, genuine box-to-box mid in the vein of Fer, Ofoe and others we've been linked with over the past year. The one attribute we really lack in our midfield is some pace through the middle and having another midfielder with a good engine is always a sound idea in a squad full of aging legs.

Would be an absolute gun on the right of midfield, but we're never going to sign him. I reckon he'd cost at least £15 for starters considering Benfica just splashed out €13.5 on him at the start of least season and he's only enhanced his reputation since.

I'm not sure where McCarthy fits into our team as it stands tbh. He seems a bit too similar to Gibson, albeit with quite a bit more pace, to play in a deeper midfield role. And I'd rather develop Barkley, with assistance from Osman, in an advanced midfield role.

Looks a good little player for whoever he ends up at though and looks ready to take the next step in his development at a bigger club.