I know that this might seem controversial considering Fernandes insane numbers, but for me their most important player is Rashford. Fernandes is a very good playmaker, but nearly half his goals (15 out of 31 for United) are from penalties. Rashford is growing into a complete player who can both score and assist, and even in the games where it doesn't really come off for him he's pretty much a constant nuisance with his speed and drive.

I've watched Man Utd a lot over the last two season, and while Fernandes does often seem to show up with the final touch, Rashford is the one I'm always left most impressed by.

I’m more comfortable about City winning the title again than some here. For every year City do it, it means Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham won’t.

I think Fernandes is over-hyped. As you say, half his goals are penalties so that really inflates his numbers. He gives the ball away an awful lot and I'm not sure he is even a midfielder. Seems more like a No.10. He is certainly moments player as opposed to a constant presence over 90 minutes. Good player without a doubt, but I wouldn't put him in the same class as DeBruyne, for example, which is what the media are doing.

Hi Bernard,
Possibly add Arsenal to that group as well. Irregardless of getting into the top 4 at some future season. Fingers crossed we get through the rest of the EL.

Interesting what you say about Ceballos. It’s difficult to predict in advance what a transfer fee will be. For most clubs it is a depressed market and whilst Real Madrid might fancy £25m they won’t necessarily find many other takers. Perhaps we could negotiate a better fee.

Also, as you mentioned before, Ødegaard is a worry in that I have been expecting him to return after his loan period and just can’t see Real Madrid giving him up. I hadn’t thought of a loan extension and I suspect that your suggestion may be the best that we can achieve.

When does Torreira end his unsuccessful loan spell at Atletico? His sale value has plummeted.

Only just watched the replay today but I'd really like to know what Arteta said to Willian and Pépé before the match as they were right at it for the full 90. Could be coincidence as it's clear that a lot of competition has been created for positions all over the pitch so maybe that has created an environment for self motivation.

Hi Bernard,
Possibly add Arsenal to that group as well. Irregardless of getting into the top 4 at some future season. Fingers crossed we get through the rest of the EL.

I think with our central midfield we should start with the idea that Partey and Xhaka are the first choice two and we build from there. Xhaka isn't versatile he's always going to be the deep lying playmaker style player so if you're partnering him with someone they need to cover his weaknesses. Partey's athleticism, mobility, aggression, speed and greater defensive awareness on paper does that.

We need another player who can come in and play in a 2 with Xhaka or a 2 with Partey. With Partey you have the option of having someone purely defensive minded (Bissouma) so Partey can have more freedom to drive forward, or you could sign a more expansive central midfielder (Aouar) and get Partey to sit in front of the defence. Put both Bissouma and Aouar in our squad and you have an incredibly well balanced midfield that can play as a central midfield 2 or a 3 and can be attacking or defensive depending on the opposition. The idea of getting both of these players in the summer is far fetched but that is the profile of player and balance in the squad I think we need.
1. A destructive central mid, tall, powerful and mobile with a good simple passing range and who is 'press resistant'
2. A more creative box-to-box midfielder who can play in the hole but also in a midfield 2 when we want to be more attacking or expect to dominate the ball
Elneny, Ceballos, Guendouzi, Torreira, Willock don't really fit in to either of those profiles which is why I think all should be sold (or not bought in Ceballos case)

Even if those are the only 2 positions we buy next year, and keep the rest of the squad the same I think we'd have a decent top 4 chance.
Or, if we sort these two positions and any other transfers are like-for-like I think we challenge top 4. ie: Bellerin is sold and replaced by a £20m right back, or Lacazette is sold and replaced with Edouard from Celtic for example.

Hi Zed. Sure thing. Without a doubt. If Arsenal were competing for the title there’s only one side I’d want to win it. But we’re not and Manchester United in particular, but even Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham look more likely than us. Of those, I’d rather City win it.

I’ve nothing against Leicester but they’re not going to win it either. So in my view with Arsenal completely out the running for the title (I value realism more than a mathematical chance), it’s City for me rather than the others I mentioned in the first paragraph or the post you quoted.

https://www.arsenal.com/news/arteta-lacazette-balogun-barcelona-and-more

A few interesting quotes from Arteta in here

Especially the ones about Balogun. It wouldn't be the first time a player gave positive signals to his club while his agent worked on a move away. On the other hand, many thought Aubameyang was leaving when it took him so long to extend his contract, but Arteta always maintained he thought he would stay and was proven right about that. If Balogun lives up to the hype, it could be huge for the team re-build - basically a free replacement for Lacazette down the line.

The schedule this season is really playing tricks on teams; since we faced Leicester three days ago, Burnley have now played twice. We should have the fresher legs on Saturday at least!

I think one thing that was noticeable for Willian during his run of terrible form was that he hadn’t really lost his speed or quickness, he could still take players on so it didn’t look like his legs had simply gone. It seemed more like some sort of mental block and hopefully he’s over it now.

I think with our central midfield we should start with the idea that Partey and Xhaka are the first choice two and we build from there. Xhaka isn't versatile he's always going to be the deep lying playmaker style player so if you're partnering him with someone they need to cover his weaknesses. Partey's athleticism, mobility, aggression, speed and greater defensive awareness on paper does that.

We need another player who can come in and play in a 2 with Xhaka or a 2 with Partey. With Partey you have the option of having someone purely defensive minded (Bissouma) so Partey can have more freedom to drive forward, or you could sign a more expansive central midfielder (Aouar) and get Partey to sit in front of the defence. Put both Bissouma and Aouar in our squad and you have an incredibly well balanced midfield that can play as a central midfield 2 or a 3 and can be attacking or defensive depending on the opposition. The idea of getting both of these players in the summer is far fetched but that is the profile of player and balance in the squad I think we need.
1. A destructive central mid, tall, powerful and mobile with a good simple passing range and who is 'press resistant'
2. A more creative box-to-box midfielder who can play in the hole but also in a midfield 2 when we want to be more attacking or expect to dominate the ball
Elneny, Ceballos, Guendouzi, Torreira, Willock don't really fit in to either of those profiles which is why I think all should be sold (or not bought in Ceballos case)

Even if those are the only 2 positions we buy next year, and keep the rest of the squad the same I think we'd have a decent top 4 chance.
Or, if we sort these two positions and any other transfers are like-for-like I think we challenge top 4. ie: Bellerin is sold and replaced by a £20m right back, or Lacazette is sold and replaced with Edouard from Celtic for example.

Advance warning for the hypochondriacs that walk amongst us

He’s not going to start Martinelli at turf moor either.

He’s coming back from a repair of his knee cartilage and they always try and kick us off the pitch at turf moor.

Just thought I’d flag. Feel free to start the hysteria

Has anyone denied Partey’s quality? Accepting he’s made a slowish start is not the same as denying his quality. He played well at Old Trafford but was still outplayed in that game by Elneny, a player many don’t rate that highly. On the basis of his form so far it’s debatable whether he’s easily one of our three most important players. Shouts can also be made for (in no other order except alphabetical) Leno, Saka and Tierney. Aubameyang hasn’t been at his normal level this season, but despite that I remain to be convinced Partey has shown himself as easily more important than him.

More talk today of Bellerin leaving. The right-nbacks I've seen linked are Lamptey and Aarons as young english prospects, and Denzel Dumfries (great name), 24 from PSV and Nordi Mukiele, 23 from Leipzig.