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My point is more that no one below Swansea is too good to go down - they're all pretty sh*t, and so whilst any of them would be 'worthy' of being relegated, I've gone for the ones who I think will be worst of a bad bunch. I picked Leicester because I don't think they can keep up their miracle run, Bournemouth because I just don't think they will have the quality and West Brom because I think they may lose Pulis and Berahino and be totally unable to replace either. Not that Sunderland, Watford, Norwich etc. will be great, but I just think they will be the worst 3.

Lacazette has been linked to tons of clubs, and its still early days. Same with Gundogan. Smalling won't leave I agree - its just what I would do personally were I able to get the other signings. Why do you say that of Lloris? Everything I've heard says he wants CL football but to stay in England if possible. It is harsh on Young, but that's the way it goes in football. Young was good after January/February but he isn't good enough to be a long term solution. I think LVG was really impressed by Herrera after Feb/March, and he more or less said so, saying that Herrera was now playing the way he wanted him to. Yeah there's no way any of them are coming (Vidal a very slim possibility, but still very unlikely). Mata statistically is the best FK taker in PL history, with the best conversion rate. I also find that when he doesn't score he is often very close too. I wrote that before Cleverly joined Everton. I took him out of the squad at the bottom but maybe I've missed a mention of him in the text.

Surely you wouldn't sign both Johnson and Richards? Unless Richards is going to play inside or Johnson on the left.

They would be some very good signings though! Totally confident in Tony. Still wish he was our manager .

Here's my transfer hopes. I am assuming that the widely-reported figure of £150m is correct, and that I can use any sales to bolster my budget. So, here goes…

In: Depay (PSV) – £22m

It would be churlish not to include the deal that is already done, but as it happens this would be first on my to-buy list anyway. A brilliant young player with clear similarities to Ronaldo (though obviously no expectation to reach that high a level). Just what we need, and a typical United signing. Between him and Mata we’ll have two of the deadliest free kick takers in the world too.

In: Hummels (Dortmund) – £35m

Really the perfect fit. Not the best season last year, but his quality is not in doubt. His age provides the perfect balance of experience and youth required for our back line. A no-brainer from our end.

In: Alves (Barcelona) – Free (apart from the wages!)

Sign him on a two-year contract and squeeze out the last of his top-flight talent before letting him move to Qatar or the USA. The lack of a fee allows spending to be done elsewhere (and for those keeping up, I have £93m left to play with). After he leaves either sign Clyne or whoever the new bright young thing at right back is.

Out: Falcao (Monaco) – Free (but at least we get rid of the wages!)

I, like most United fans, am sad to see him go – he wasn’t that bad at first (just rusty), but the intense criticism really got him down and by the end he was pretty poor. I’m still convinced he’ll be a top class striker again elsewhere, though he probably won’t quite reach his previous heights.

Out: Evans (Sunderland) – £8m

I like Evans, and will also be sad to see him go, but he really has struggled the past couple of years. He wasn’t given enough credit for his strong performances in Fergie’s last 2 years, but there’s no denying his fall from grace since SAF left. I can definitely see Sunderland coughing up for him, especially as he’s popular with the fans after a previous loan spell.

In: Lacazette (Lyon) – £25m

Sparkling form in Ligue Un, and although we’ve seen this kind of thing end in disaster before, he really does have potential. He can be understudy to Wayne for a year or two before leading the line after Rooney either gets dropped or moves into midfield. Another youthful, talented, mid-range price, United-esque purchase.

Out: Wilson (Sunderland) – Loan

I’ve sent Wilson to Sunderland because of our good relationship and past history with them, but any top-tier club would be excellent for his development.

Out: Januzaj (Real Sociedad) – Loan

Don’t know why we didn’t do this in January. Our acm area is stacked right now and Adnan needs gametime. Would have a great education in Spain and Moyes would give him discipline whilst allowing him to flourish when possible.

In: Gundogan (Dortmund) – £25m

Not a perfect replacement for Carrick, and he may not even start when everyone is fit (depending on form etc.), but seems to have recovered from his injury and has shown real talent in his career so far.

Out: Smalling (Spurs) – £16m

I know he’s had a good season, but I still don’t believe he can get much better – unlike Jones, who would be able to settle down as a CB once and for all in this squad. I’d rather sell Rojo but as he’s only been with us for a year, this seems more likely. Spurs could do with a decent centre back and would probably enjoy the opportunity to buy British (and therefore home grown).

Out: RVP (Juventus) – £5m

We like you Robin, and you did exactly what we bought you for, but its time to let go. He’s been infuriating to watch this season. I’m happy to have Chicha as a third choice striker for another year, although if we had a good offer for him it wouldn’t be the end of the world holding RVP in reserve until his contract expires. I’d rather get rid though.

In: Eder Alvarez Balanta - £20m

I wanted Laporte but I assume that is done for this summer now he's signed a new contract. Balanta is a top young prospect and a bit cheaper - he's great on Football Manager too ;[ I just really want to secure some top young defensive talent, and Varane/Laporte/Marquinhos are all locked up. He's a left footer too which is helpful.

And, if necessary, two more:

Out: De Gea (Real Madrid) – £30m

This would be awful, but unfortunately seems increasingly inevitable. The worst part is that we paid £20m for him in the first place – a £10m profit on a player that has transformed so much is really a huge disappointment for us.

In: Lloris (Tottenham) – £30m

Unfortunately a lot of the top young goalkeeping talent (Ter Stegen, Courtouis etc.) moved last summer (or returned to their parent club in Courtouis’ case), so this is not the ideal time to buy. It makes me sick that Lloris, a very good but not as good as De Gea goalkeeper, would cost the same if not more. But unfortunately that’s the way the cookie crumbles. If we can find another young, top goalkeeper (Football Manager recommends Simone Scuffet or Gerónimo Rulli) then go for it.

So, in summary, here would be my new squad:



Six or seven in (depending on DDG) and six or seven out (including loans); more if we can sell Rafael, Cleverley and Nani. I also believe I have £40m left to spare – enough to get another fairly big deal through if necessary. That said, I think this squad could achieve our aims this season and then crack on to win the league in 16/17 when it would have had time to settle, and young players (Depay, Laporte etc.) would have had time to grow.