FM16: Manchester United Back in Europe

Early years

Manchester United was formed in 1878 as Newton Heath LYR Football Club by the Carriage and Wagon department of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway (LYR) depot at Newton Heath. The team initially played games against other departments and rail companies, but on 20 November 1880, they competed in their first recorded match; wearing the colours of the railway company – green and gold – they were defeated 6–0 by Bolton Wanderers' reserve team. By 1888, the club had become a founding member of The Combination, a regional football league. Following the league's dissolution after only one season, Newton Heath joined the newly formed Football Alliance, which ran for three seasons before being merged with the Football League. This resulted in the club starting the 1892–93 season in the First Division, by which time it had become independent of the rail company and dropped the "LYR" from its name. After two seasons, the club was relegated to the Second Division

In January 1902, with debts of £2,670 – equivalent to £260,000 in 2015 the club was served with a winding-up order. Captain Harry Stafford found four local businessmen, including John Henry Davies who became club president, each willing to invest £500 in return for a direct interest in running the club and who subsequently changed the name; on 24 April 1902, Manchester United was officially born. Under Ernest Mangnall, who assumed managerial duties in 1903, the team finished as Second Division runners-up in 1906 and secured promotion to the First Division, which they won in 1908 – the club's first league title. The following season began with victory in the first ever Charity Shield and ended with the club's first FA Cup title. Manchester United won the First Division for the second time in 1911, but at the end of the following season, Mangnall left the club to join Manchester City.

In 1922, three years after the resumption of football following the First World War, the club was relegated to the Second Division, where it remained until regaining promotion in 1925. Relegated again in 1931, Manchester United became a yo-yo club, achieving its all-time lowest position of 20th place in the Second Division in 1934. Following the death of principal benefactor John Henry Davies in October 1927, the club's finances deteriorated to the extent that Manchester United would likely have gone bankrupt had it not been for James W. Gibson, who, in December 1931, invested £2,000 and assumed control of the club.[21] In the 1938–39 season, the last year of football before the Second World War, the club finished 14th in the First Division.

Busby years (1945–1969)

In October 1945, the impending resumption of football led to the managerial appointment of Matt Busby, who demanded an unprecedented level of control over team selection, player transfers and training sessions. Busby led the team to second-place league finishes in 1947, 1948 and 1949, and to FA Cup victory in 1948. In 1952, the club won the First Division, its first league title for 41 years. With an average age of 22, the media labelled the back-to-back title winning side of 1956 "the Busby Babes", a testament to Busby's faith in his youth players. In 1957, Manchester United became the first English team to compete in the European Cup, despite objections from The Football League, who had denied Chelsea the same opportunity the previous season. En route to the semi-final, which they lost to Real Madrid, the team recorded a 10–0 victory over Belgian champions Anderlecht, which remains the club's biggest victory on record.

The following season, on the way home from a European Cup quarter-final victory against Red Star Belgrade, the aircraft carrying the Manchester United players, officials and journalists crashed while attempting to take off after refuelling in Munich, Germany. The Munich air disaster of 6 February 1958 claimed 23 lives, including those of eight players – Geoff Bent, Roger Byrne, Eddie Colman, Duncan Edwards, Mark Jones, David Pegg, Tommy Taylor and Billy Whelan – and injured several more. Reserve team manager Jimmy Murphy took over as manager while Busby recovered from his injuries and the club's makeshift side reached the FA Cup final, which they lost to Bolton Wanderers. In recognition of the team's tragedy, UEFA invited the club to compete in the 1958–59 European Cup alongside eventual League champions Wolverhampton Wanderers. Despite approval from the FA, the Football League determined that the club should not enter the competition, since it had not qualified. Busby rebuilt the team through the 1960s by signing players such as Denis Law and Pat Crerand, who combined with the next generation of youth players – including George Best – to win the FA Cup in 1963. The following season, they finished second in the league, then won the title in 1965 and 1967. In 1968, Manchester United became the first English (and second British) club to win the European Cup, beating Benfica 4–1 in the final with a team that contained three European Footballers of the Year: Bobby Charlton, Denis Law and George Best. Matt Busby resigned as manager in 1969 and was replaced by

the reserve team coach, former Manchester United player Wilf McGuinness.

Ferguson years (1986–2013)

Alex Ferguson and his assistant Archie Knox arrived from Aberdeen on the day of Atkinson's dismissal, and guided the club to an 11th-place finish in the league. Despite a second place finish in 1987–88, the club was back in 11th place the following season. Reportedly on the verge of being dismissed, victory over Crystal Palace in the 1990 FA Cup Final replay (after a 3–3 draw) saved Ferguson's career. The following season, Manchester United claimed its first Cup Winners' Cup title and competed in the 1991 UEFA Super Cup, beating European Cup holders Red Star Belgrade 1–0 in the final at Old Trafford. A second consecutive League Cup final appearance followed in 1992, in which the team beat Nottingham Forest 1–0 at Wembley. In 1993, the club won its first league title since 1967, and a year later, for the first time since 1957, it won a second consecutive title – alongside the FA Cup – to complete the first "Double" in the club's history.

In the 1998–99 season, Manchester United became the first team to win the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League – "The Treble" – in the same season. Losing 1–0 going into injury time in the 1999 UEFA Champions League Final, Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjær scored late goals to claim a dramatic victory over Bayern Munich, in what is considered one of the greatest comebacks of all time. The club also won the Intercontinental Cup after beating Palmeiras 1–0 in Tokyo. Ferguson was subsequently knighted for his services to football. Manchester United won the league again in the 1999–2000 and 2000–01 seasons. The team finished third in 2001–02, before regaining the title in 2002–03. They won the 2003–04 FA Cup, beating Millwall 3–0 in the final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. In the 2005–06 season, Manchester United failed to qualify for the knockout phase of the UEFA Champions League for the first time in over a decade, but recovered to secure a second-place league finish and victory over Wigan Athletic in the 2006 Football League Cup Final. The club regained the Premier League in the 2006–07 and 2007–08 seasons, and completed the European double by beating Chelsea 6–5 on penalties in the 2008 UEFA Champions League Final in Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium. Ryan Giggs made a record 759th appearance for the club in this game, overtaking previous record holder Bobby Charlton.In December 2008, the club won the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup and followed this with the 2008–09 Football League Cup, and its third successive Premier League title. That summer, Cristiano Ronaldo was sold to Real Madrid for a world record £80 million. In 2010, Manchester United defeated Aston Villa 2–1 at Wembley to retain the League Cup, its first successful defence of a knockout cup competition. After finishing as runner-up to Chelsea in the 2009–10 season, United achieved a record 19th league title in 2010–11, securing the championship with a 1–1 away draw against Blackburn Rovers on 14 May 2011. After finishing as runner-up to Manchester City in the 2011–12 season, United achieved a record 20th league title in 2012–13, securing the championship with a 3–0 home win against Aston Villa on 22 April 2013.

2013–present

On 8 May 2013, Ferguson announced that he was to retire as manager at the end of the football season, but would remain at the club as a director and club ambassador. The club announced the next day that Everton manager David Moyes would replace him from 1 July, having signed a six-year contract. Ryan Giggs took over as interim player-manager 10 months later on 22 April 2014, when Moyes was sacked after a poor season in which the club failed to defend their Premier League title and failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 1995–96. They also failed to qualify for the Europa League, meaning that it was the first time Manchester United hadn't qualified for a European competition since 1990. On 19 May 2014, it was confirmed that Louis van Gaal would replace Moyes as Manchester United manager on a three-year deal, with Giggs as his assistant. Malcolm Glazer, the patriarch of the Glazer family that owns the club, died on 28 May 2014.

Despite the arrival of new boss Louis van Gaal, Manchester United had a difficult start to the season, winning just three of their first ten league games, with the last of that sequence being a 1-0 loss at local rivals and champions Manchester City. During that opening spell Van Gaal also saw his team lose 5-3 to the recently promoted Leicester City, and held to draws by Burnley, Sunderland and West Brom. There was also an embarrassing defeat to League One's MK Dons in the Capital One Cup.

A 2-1 win over Crystal Palace was the start of better things to come and United went on a 16 game unbeaten run in the league, which lasted from November until February when Swansea City beat them 2-1 at the Liberty Stadium.They exited the FA Cup in March when old boy Danny Welbeck – who’d been labelled surplus to requirements by Van Gaal - scored the winning goal for Arsenal and from February onwards it was hard to predict which United would turn up as they beat long-time rivals Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield, before losing 3-0 to Everton at Goodison at the end of April.

Despite their inconsistent nature and a disappointing season for several star players – including British transfer record signing Angel di Maria and highly paid on-loan striker Radamel Falcao - they have finished a respectable fourth, booking a return to the Champions League next season.

Old Trafford

Corporate Facilities: Top

Training Facilities: State of the art training facilities

Youth Facilities: Top

Club Finances

Estimated Value: £1.2B (loan debt: £440M)

Balance: £124.4M

Finances: Rich

Transfer Budget: £60M

Squad

Goalkeepers

Goalkeepers

Manchester United's best work in the transfer window was retaining David De Gea on a new contract, so you will be blessed to have the Spaniard in goal for a long period of time. Selling him is not recommended as there are not many better. You also have Sergio Romero and Victor Valdes as very talented backups who can be called upon in the premier league. If you are looking for a home-grown player you don't have to worry about calling on Sam Johnstone who is very strong as well.

Defence.

Left Back

Luke Shaw is up there with the highest potential players in the game and he is only going to get better with more playtime. His only downside is that I have found him to be a bit injury prone so you will have to be careful when his condition is low that it might turn serious. Again you have very strong backups in Daley Blind and Marcos Rojo with the likes of Ashley Young and Matteo Darmian able to provide support if needed.

Centre Backs

Before last season many were expecting United to sign either Sergio Ramos or Matts Hummels, but now people have seen the ability that Chris (Mike) Smalling posses and there aren't many better right now. Personally I played Daley Blind next to him as a BPD but I would suggest going with Phil Jones if your tactic is more basic. Marcos Rojo is also a starting option but is frequently injured. You can also call on Paddy McNair to help out in games as well.

Right Back

Previous to the transfer window this was by far United's weakest position after the sale of Rafael but the signing of Matteo Darmian was a master stroke from Van Gaal and he is a terrific player in Football Manager. However the depth is still not great on this side with Antonio Valencia the next best and that is never really trustworthy.

Midfielders

Defensive Mid

A position where United are blessed with World Class quality and depth, FM has Michael Carrick listed as the strongest defensive midfielder, but you can't look past the quality of new signing Morgan Schniderlin. You can also strongly rely on Bastian Scweinsteiger and Daley Blind to play there as well. If worse comes to worse Paddy McNair, Phil Jones and Marouane Fellaini can fill the part.

Centre Mid

Another United position that is full of strength. I would suggest finding a way to fit in Ander Herrera, as I believe he is one of the most underrated players in all of Football Manager. He can start alongside Bastian or Morgan depending on the formation that you choose to play. This position also allows you to make use of or Marouane Fellaini, Andreas Pereiera (not reccomended) and Nick Powell.

Left Attacking Midfield

Memphis Depay, that is all I have to say for this position. I have not played a save on FM15 or 16 that Memphis has not developed to be one of the greatest in the game, he is a total talent and should be played as often as humanly possible. You are also blessed with Ashley Young who seems to be the best crosser of the ball on the game. When Adnan Januzaj comes back you will also be able to make the most of his potential. If needed, Anthony Martial and Juan Mata can play here as well.

Centre Attacking Midfield

A position that United have not really been utilizing in real life, instead playing the talent of Juan Mata on the right hand side. Mata is one of the best players at the start of the game and he is best utilized while you still have his full talent. Ander Herrera is a strong backup but an interesting option that can make or break a game would be to give Wayne Rooney a run in the position and see what he can do sitting a bit deeper. In this position I also received helpful contributions from Andreas Pereira and Jesse Lingard.

Right Attacking Midfield

This is United's weakest position on the field depending on what formation you play. If you are playing a 4231 then you will most likely have Mata in the middle, restricting you to Ashley Young or Antonio Valencia, which unfortunately these days aren't players you can rely on week in week out. This is why you will definitely need to strengthen this over the window with either a star or a talent.

Strikers

Wayne Rooney. Currently struggling in the premier league under Louis van Gaal and at the age of 29 he is not going to get much better. Exactly why you need to make the most of him for the 2-3 seasons that you will have his rich talent for. You could also try and get some cash for Rooney and start Anthony Martial, the wonder kid who has captured the world's heart with his impressive performances in the premier league and finds himself as one of Football Manager's highest potential players. James Wilson is another kid who has been getting some exposure for United however he has just gone on loan to Brighton in real life he won't be available in some transfer updates.

Out on loan

Will Keane Preston North End

Ben Pearson Barnsley

Joe Rothwell Barnsley

Tyler Blackett Celtic

Adnan Januzaj Borussia Dortmund

Squad Strengths:

With an excellent goalkeeper, numerous central midfielders of quality and some mercurial forward talent, Manchester United have some key strengths to build around in terms of choosing a formation and strategy.

There are some excellent passers of the ball in the squad and you can use this to your advantage with a philosophy based around retaining possession, with creative players given the freedom to play through-balls and incisive passes moving forward.

The squad generally has players with a strong first touch and decent technique, which further helps in keeping control of the ball.

With saleable assets, players on the fringe of the squad like Fellaini, Young and Valencia are easy enough to ship out and can add to an already sizeable transfer budget.

Boasting a young squad, with an average age of 24, Manchester United start with some young players who can easily turn into true greats. Martial can become an incredibly prolific striker, Shaw keeps on getting better and Adnan Januzaj can turn into a skilful creative force.

Squad Weaknesses:

Jones, Smalling, Rojo and Darmian are all good players, but they lack a standout leader in the defence on par with the best in the world. Their defence is lacking in back-up too (Paddy McNair isn't good enough and Blind is too small).

The midfield has two issues - their lack of pace coupled with average wide players. The temptation is to play a very narrow formation that makes good use of their central midfield talent. However, playing against a team that utilises pacey wingers alongside overlapping full-backs, it becomes very difficult to contain them.

Up front, your main issue is the lack of a truly high quality goalscorer. Rooney is excellent in deeper roles, Depay works best out wide and Martial isn't quite ready to take on the burden of being the main source of goals. This combines with a slight issue in fitting your best players in the same side working in concert with each other.

Potential Signings:

Defence: Buying younger players who can fit straight in and surpass your current line-up is a recommendation. Daniele Rugani (Juventus), Jose Gimenez (Atletico Madrid) and John Stones (Everton) are all excellent and will only improve.

Midfield: Koke (Atletico Madrid), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint Germain), and Ilkay Gundogan (Borussia Dortmund) all possess more mobility than players like Carrick, Schneiderlin and Schweinsteiger. To buy a top-class midfielder, expect to pay big money.

Forward: If you can get a hold of Lucas Moura from (PSG), he complements Depay perfectly on the right flank as an inside forward. Romelu Lukaku (Everton) can be the complete striker you need as a focal point for your attacks.

Recommended Formations

4-3-3 DM Wide

This formation plays to the strengths of your playing squad - namely lots of good central midfielders. Using a Deep Lying Playmaker/Regista and two central midfielders allows you to dictate the game with a possession style. Use Schneiderlin as the ball winner in the centre of the pitch and Herrera as an Advanced Playmaker, with Schweinsteiger either as the Regista or Deep Lying Playmaker.

Up Front it is best to use Rooney as your striker, flanked by Mata in a creative role on the right and Memphis as an attacking winger or inside forward from the left. You'll also want your team to have the freedom to swap positions with a fluid formation, Rooney and Mata are at their best when allowed to float into pockets of space around the box.

5-2-3 WB

This formation uses three central defenders and relies on wing-backs for its width, with two central midfielders, two central attacking midfielders and a striker.

Shaw makes a great wing-back with his pace although Darmian may struggle to get up and down the pitch. A combination of Schneiderlin and Schweinsteiger makes for a solid midfield base. That frees Mata to occupy an advanced playermaker role, with Rooney as a shadow striker and either Martial or Depay up front.

4-1-2-3 DM Narrow

Another narrow option, this is similar to the 4-3-3 set-up but instead of using wide forward players, it tucks two players in behind the striker. Again you'll want to use Rooney and Mata behind either Depay or Martial.

4-4-2 Inverted

This is an interesting formation from the Football Manager community that uses inverted wing-backs drifting inside. Combine that with two playmakers out wide, two false nines dropping deep into space and an incredible passer sitting in the deep DM position alongside a traditional defensive midfielder. The strategy hinges on the deep-lying playmaker. Fortunately, with Schweinsteiger, Manchester United are in a good place to play into the strengths of this strategy. Your team will tend to sit outside the opposition box, controlling the play with unpredictable movement and incisive passing. This tactic can be a joy to watch, although it doesn't really play to the strengths of Depay or Martial.

U21S AND U18S

The under-21 side has a lot of players that will make it at a lower level, but some of these players have the potential to make it at Old Trafford. Look to blood youngsters such as Vanja Milinkovic-Savic (5* potential), Axel Tuanzebe (3 1/2* potential), Timothy Fosu-Mensah (3* potential), Sean Goss (3 1/2* potential), Demetri Mitchell (3 1/2* potential) and Marcus Rashford (3 1/2* potential).

The under-18s also have a couple of highly-rated youngsters that you should look into blooding, such as Ilias Moutha Sebtaoui (4* potential), Tyrell Warren (3 1/2* potential) and Ro-Shaun Williams (3* potential), but one player you must bring through is Callum Gribbin (5* potential), who can become one of the best players in the world if nurtured correctly. He has the attributes to play a sporadic role in first-team football at the tender age of 16, so look to play him in cup competitions if given the chance.

I have cleaned up this thread - I have replied to you all in the "who wants to do what" thread.

If you want to add a couple posts after this to reserve Batman, I'll delete this so it doesn't come in the middle of everything. I have no problems with you doing the thread, I want to get new users involved as soon as possible and what better way than getting them to create threads

PM me when you want this post deleted.

Nice start to the thread!

Each year i try and play a different team but as a Manc born & bred I have to have a Man U save!

Sorting out the staff currently so I haven't continued once yet - as i usually use my beta save as a throwaway i think i'm going to go all in on Stones - assuming Everton will sell.

I'd be interested to see who others are thinking of buying.

Jan Vertonghen im going for as I cant interest Mats Hummels.

I've been looking at Valencia's Mustafi, but they're trying to extort me

I recommend Zouma. I got him for £7.5M + £20M over 36 months, but that was accepted right away so you can probably go lower. He's a wonderkid and stupidly good, a bit overtuned imo.

Balanta costs peanuts

this guy at Newcastle... work permit issues might get fixed come real release.

also bought this guy

oh and dont forget

Liverpool somehow got Gabigol :/

Not a bad transfer window

That would instantly ruin any fun for me... £331m in transfers, no doubt majority over 48 months ffs

That would instantly ruin any fun for me... £331m in transfers, no doubt majority over 48 months ffs

Aye its all over 48 months lol. Not normally how i play the game but because its still the beta im not treating this as a long term save.

you got £40m for Blind?

You could say he robbed them blind lol.

Paris Saint Germain have more money than sense it seems, good, now I know who to rip off when selling players:D

It's ****ed up how easy it is to get Balanta, paid 3mil pounds for him first day of the game.

It's ****ed up how easy it is to get Balanta, paid 3mil pounds for him first day of the game.

except he's injury prone and basically already at peak, which is a BIG nerf from his FM15 5* potential

except he's injury prone and basically already at peak, which is a BIG nerf from his FM15 5* potential

True, but i'm hoping to sign Stones or Mustafi for around 20-25mil and he'll do nicely as a backup.

I went all through FM15 with one save and this will be the same.

TRANSFERS IN.

A lot more sensible this game and that is my rule for this game (I hope).

TRANSFERS OUT

Ashley Young is staying as back up to Luke Shaw and McNair is training to be Darmians back up.

TACTIC

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

We beat Sporting 4-1 on Agg. in the play-off

LEAGUE TABLE after 4 games.

I've played just over 2 seasons so far. Like Whatawaster95 I'm not going to play this save past the beta so I've been splashing the cash a bit as well (at least 2nd and 3rd season).

Transfers: Season 1 | Season 2 | Season 3

League: Season 1 | Season 2

Achievements

Net spend (not sure if that's the right word for transfer fee spent-recieved?) is around £340M in 3 major transfer windows, so it's not that crazy. I was given a £144M transfer budget after the first season which could be adjusted to well over £200M. And another £180M after second season, which could be adjusted to over £250M. Balance is still £150M in green, so money is definitely not an issue for the club.

If I where to do it all again (and I will be after beta) ....

Players I'd probably buy again:

- Kurt Zouma. He's a beast.

- Calum Chambers. Brilliant and English.

- Gabriel Barbosa. And I wouldn't sell him even at 5x profit after just 1 season.

- Mario Götze. He's brilliant and can play so many positions. I think he's cheap for his quality.

- Nastasic. Only just go him, but he's sick. Him and Zouma are my dream duo I think.

I'd definitely not buy:

- Romero. He's nothing like 2015, but still expect to play.

- Morata. Didn't really click, not sure why. Definitely not worth the money so far and hindered Martial.

- Wilshere. Knew it was a risk, but he was cheap and transfer listed. Injured non-stop.

I'd be very unlikely to spend £70-100M on Pogba, James, Varane and Lewa in a proper save. All 4 are brilliant though, just to expensive.

I'd never sell Depay and probably keep Mata until he retires instead of replacing him with James. I'd also probably keep Bastian just for tutoring. Smalling is a toss up, not sure he'd accept being a back up/rotation player. Some of the ones I've kept are also in that category. Jones, Young, Rojo, Schneiderlin, Herrera, and Wilson have not set the world on fire.

Rooney I'd try to get rid of the first transfer window. He told me he needs a new challenge right after the window closed and was unhappy and missing training for the rest of the first season. I think he missed more training sessions than he scored goals. He's also the first in the squad to complain when ever there is anything remotely minor to complain about. Complete waste of a wage budget. I almost had to pay Arsenal to take him off me in the end. He scored an amazing 4 goals in 28 league games for them last season.

Of the youngsters only Sebtaoui looks promising enough (guess there's plenty of randomness, -8/-9s though). Everyone else is already completely taken over by regens in terms of potential. Really sad.

As for the game itself. I think it's the best state any beta version has ever been in. The game engine feels like they've just taken 15.3.2 and improved it instead of completely changing it. I'm loving it.

Anyone seeing problems with home-grown players in the next few seasons? Having to scout for 17/18 year olds with potential or overpay for English players.

Anyone seeing problems with home-grown players in the next few seasons? Having to scout for 17/18 year olds with potential or overpay for English players.

Off the top of my head I recall that Wilson, Januzaj, Gribbin, Lingard, Johnstone, McNair, Pereira & Shaw (2017 for HG as United) all are qualified as HG, United grown even. Might be worth keeping a few of these chaps around, certainly Gribbin who is properly brilliant in this game. Tutor him with Mata and you're good to go.

I've played just over 2 seasons so far. Like Whatawaster95 I'm not going to play this save past the beta so I've been splashing the cash a bit as well (at least 2nd and 3rd season).

Transfers: Season 1 | Season 2 | Season 3

League: Season 1 | Season 2

Achievements

Net spend (not sure if that's the right word for transfer fee spent-recieved?) is around £340M in 3 major transfer windows, so it's not that crazy. I was given a £144M transfer budget after the first season which could be adjusted to well over £200M. And another £180M after second season, which could be adjusted to over £250M. Balance is still £150M in green, so money is definitely not an issue for the club.

If I where to do it all again (and I will be after beta) ....

Players I'd probably buy again:

- Kurt Zouma. He's a beast.

- Calum Chambers. Brilliant and English.

- Gabriel Barbosa. And I wouldn't sell him even at 5x profit after just 1 season.

- Mario Götze. He's brilliant and can play so many positions. I think he's cheap for his quality.

- Nastasic. Only just go him, but he's sick. Him and Zouma are my dream duo I think.

I'd definitely not buy:

- Romero. He's nothing like 2015, but still expect to play.

- Morata. Didn't really click, not sure why. Definitely not worth the money so far and hindered Martial.

- Wilshere. Knew it was a risk, but he was cheap and transfer listed. Injured non-stop.

I'd be very unlikely to spend £70-100M on Pogba, James, Varane and Lewa in a proper save. All 4 are brilliant though, just to expensive.

I'd never sell Depay and probably keep Mata until he retires instead of replacing him with James. I'd also probably keep Bastian just for tutoring. Smalling is a toss up, not sure he'd accept being a back up/rotation player. Some of the ones I've kept are also in that category. Jones, Young, Rojo, Schneiderlin, Herrera, and Wilson have not set the world on fire.

Rooney I'd try to get rid of the first transfer window. He told me he needs a new challenge right after the window closed and was unhappy and missing training for the rest of the first season. I think he missed more training sessions than he scored goals. He's also the first in the squad to complain when ever there is anything remotely minor to complain about. Complete waste of a wage budget. I almost had to pay Arsenal to take him off me in the end. He scored an amazing 4 goals in 28 league games for them last season.

Of the youngsters only Sebtaoui looks promising enough (guess there's plenty of randomness, -8/-9s though). Everyone else is already completely taken over by regens in terms of potential. Really sad.

As for the game itself. I think it's the best state any beta version has ever been in. The game engine feels like they've just taken 15.3.2 and improved it instead of completely changing it. I'm loving it.

What did training did you go with in pre-season and throughout the season?

Did you have many injuries during the season?

Im also in the club of not going to continue the beta game i have going just messing around looking at things really.

Picked up Stones at £48M Everton played hardball. And Hakan Calhanoglu for £39M both over priced and Calhanoglu hasn't as yet scored any wonder free kicks

Sold Mata for 40.

I think when starting the game after release, i'll be selling Rooney asap, total waste of wages and has been a player power thorn.

Been trying a 5-2-3 WB formation which has done well at keeping possession and bringing out MoM performances from Darmian who has been excellent however just like rl the 3 forwards can't score to save their own life so it's been a bit pathetic really.

What did training did you go with in pre-season and throughout the season?

Did you have many injuries during the season?

I just used Team Cohesion on Very High and 50% (all the way to the left on slider) and Tactics for pre-season. And Balanced on Average, still 50%, and Attacking Movement. It's what I've been using for the last 2 versions of FM non-stop pretty much, I never change it. Not many injuries no. Depay had a serious one of 4 months I think, other than that the occasional week or two, but never any crisis. I sacked some of the physios and brought in Fevre and Claudio Rigo though, not sure how much that matters.

*edit* Sorry forgot. I rest players after match, but not before. Sometimes if there's big games coming after one another I rest players for 2 days manually right after the match as well.

Anthony Martial is crazy in this database. Start of December and he sticks in his 20 and 21st goal of the season against Palace. 19 in 16 for the league.

I also sold Rooney for 40m to Arsenal and replaced him with Gotze, who has been a revelation, obv. Hope that is irl next summer ;P

Preseason training I always go Team Cohesion with Match prep one to the right and intensity to high, with focus on Tactics. I switch to Balanced on average and match prep one to the left after the last friendly/Charity Shield, with focus on Defensive Postion.

So that is a front line of Martial, Depay, Gotze and Mata in a 4231. Sorry so excited ;P Gonna win everything. Depay may be a little OP imo but I hope not! What you think? Glad they fixed Herrera too.

First transfer window was Rooney and Felliani out, 40 and 15, with Chambers (17), L Romero (7), Barbosa (9) and the big Rooney Replacement, Gotze (50), coming in. Delighted. Still in all cups in Dec and just went top of the league again with Spurs (?) running me close. Plan is to do nothing in Jan but I'm watching Youri Teill...Tieslsman...that young Anderlecht CM and Stones for next summer (tho I can get Laporta for 35, which is prob going to be cheaper lol). Not looking forward to the update where Shaw is injured ;(

Pairing up Pogba + Schweini + Schneiderlin in midfield has been immense for me. Pogba is the Roaming Playmaker whose job is to be a wrecking ball and crack off his long shots, Schweini sits deeper and helps spray the ball about while Schneiderlin is my resident Roy Keane:D

Backups for the magical trio include Sven Bender (either of the Bender twins really, but Sven was transfer listed), McNair (surprisingly good passing/technique) & Blind.

Sold Blind for 27 mil to Arsenal, Young for 15 and then Mcnair, Wilson and Lingard for another 15 mil between them.

Bought Zouma for 30 Mil and Pogba for 70. Zouma is immense in the back, just gone 6 games without conceding. Have him partned with Smalling. I use a midfield three of Pogba, Fellaini and Schneiderlin. Have Schneiderlin defensive mid, with Felliani and Pogba infront of him, as ball winning midfielder and roaming playmaker respectively.

Apart from going out at the Champs Lge qualifier stage over two legs to lazio - I seem to be doing well. Second in the league after 21 games, 1 point behind Man City and 6 points ahead of third place Tottenham. Only lost 3 games, all away fixtures.

Martial and Depay banging in all types of goals. Rooney on bench - I should of sold him at the start, but I chickened out.

gonna try and flog off blind for silly money and scoop up tielemans or something

Martial banging in headers for me.

Ziyech scored a hat trick in a 4-0 win at home on my champions league qualifier so no problems there

I've played just over 2 seasons so far. Like Whatawaster95 I'm not going to play this save past the beta so I've been splashing the cash a bit as well (at least 2nd and 3rd season).

Transfers: Season 1 | Season 2 | Season 3

League: Season 1 | Season 2

Achievements

Net spend (not sure if that's the right word for transfer fee spent-recieved?) is around £340M in 3 major transfer windows, so it's not that crazy. I was given a £144M transfer budget after the first season which could be adjusted to well over £200M. And another £180M after second season, which could be adjusted to over £250M. Balance is still £150M in green, so money is definitely not an issue for the club.

If I where to do it all again (and I will be after beta) ....

Players I'd probably buy again:

- Kurt Zouma. He's a beast.

- Calum Chambers. Brilliant and English.

- Gabriel Barbosa. And I wouldn't sell him even at 5x profit after just 1 season.

- Mario Götze. He's brilliant and can play so many positions. I think he's cheap for his quality.

- Nastasic. Only just go him, but he's sick. Him and Zouma are my dream duo I think.

I'd definitely not buy:

- Romero. He's nothing like 2015, but still expect to play.

- Morata. Didn't really click, not sure why. Definitely not worth the money so far and hindered Martial.

- Wilshere. Knew it was a risk, but he was cheap and transfer listed. Injured non-stop.

I'd be very unlikely to spend £70-100M on Pogba, James, Varane and Lewa in a proper save. All 4 are brilliant though, just to expensive.

I'd never sell Depay and probably keep Mata until he retires instead of replacing him with James. I'd also probably keep Bastian just for tutoring. Smalling is a toss up, not sure he'd accept being a back up/rotation player. Some of the ones I've kept are also in that category. Jones, Young, Rojo, Schneiderlin, Herrera, and Wilson have not set the world on fire.

Rooney I'd try to get rid of the first transfer window. He told me he needs a new challenge right after the window closed and was unhappy and missing training for the rest of the first season. I think he missed more training sessions than he scored goals. He's also the first in the squad to complain when ever there is anything remotely minor to complain about. Complete waste of a wage budget. I almost had to pay Arsenal to take him off me in the end. He scored an amazing 4 goals in 28 league games for them last season.

Of the youngsters only Sebtaoui looks promising enough (guess there's plenty of randomness, -8/-9s though). Everyone else is already completely taken over by regens in terms of potential. Really sad.

As for the game itself. I think it's the best state any beta version has ever been in. The game engine feels like they've just taken 15.3.2 and improved it instead of completely changing it. I'm loving it.

Are you playing Chambers at CB or RB?

im starting tonight here is my Squad Depth Overview. formationx1. formationx2. formationx3. transfers in/out

Went for Stones, Everton robbed me blind and took 48M but he's been playing very well and i have a thing for having an English back 4.

Martial has been banging them in - i hope he stays this productive.

Sticking to a 4-2-3-1 currently and it's going well, just beat Liverpool 3-0 so the fans love me!

That would instantly ruin any fun for me... £331m in transfers, no doubt majority over 48 months ffs

ditto was going to question the sum spent ....but the old 48 month ploy:D

I've been playing Martial as the spearhead advanced forward with depay inside forward left for first half of the season. It's worked great. But due to injury, I've had to move Depay in the advanced forward position and he's absoluteky killed it. Two hat tricks in 3 games and then gone on to score 14 goals in 10 games.

anyone going back to basics with a 4-4-2 ?

don't like the 1 up top formations want a partnership and 2 wide mids/wingers

so will move on mata/rooney/fellaini/blind....and push to get 2 quality wide men and at least 2 strikers and a CB ideally want English players

by the sound of it selling those 4 should give me 120M so a budget of 180m

martial I intend to play up top tempted to get a target man to play alongside think he might be devastating feeding off a big man like keegan/dalglish did many years ago

carroll intersts me but those injuries:eek: so any ideas other than Kane, who might be too dear....might get joe Jordan/big stu pearson out of retirement

you have a target man

Fellaini

you have a target man

Fellaini

yeah I like it:D

he is 1 of the first I will get out of the club

IRL Aleksandar Mitrovic impresses me, but will have to sort the old temper out

wonder how he will develop

some transfers

this is how you do it

Has anyone had a rude surprise of James Wilson's 50% yearly wage rise? I certainly did when the end of season contract clauses message came in:eek:

Guys how do you sell Rooney, I waited a lot for his request to leave to come in, even signed Luan and Barbosa to create an overload of strikers but nothing is happening.

Scott, I assume Mbemba got a work permit? I just tried to sign him and his WP was rejected, even on appeal.

Guys how do you sell Rooney, I waited a lot for his request to leave to come in, even signed Luan and Barbosa to create an overload of strikers but nothing is happening.

From my experience so far...cheaply nobody wants those wages.

Scott, I assume Mbemba got a work permit? I just tried to sign him and his WP was rejected, even on appeal.

no it failed for me as well, not to worry really, he is still young.

I offered Rooney to clubs, but was only offered £27m by Chelsea, and my replacement went to freaking Liverpool instead of me in the first place.

Zahavi might be one of the players who could be a gem of a replacement

Are you playing Chambers at CB or RB?

Both, but mainly RB unless I have no other CB option. Darmian and him are playing about equal amount of matches there. Both are doing great. Full backs seem a bit overtuned in performance atm though imo.

Anyone else struggled to attract some players? Saying they have no intention of joining.

is Kane worth 50m that's the best deal I can get spurs playing hardball 40m upfront then extra 10m based on goals/caps??

chelsea have bid 29.5m for rooney and the arse 35m for mata so got cash coming in

but cant get the RW I wanted...it was going to be hermann(gladbach) activated his release clause 14m then bayern came in and there was only going to be 1 winner:p so onto leroy Sane schalke wanting 60m!!! reus even worse 100m so looking at mane??

Kane no.. on mine Berahino is highly rated and is half that price.

is Kane worth 50m that's the best deal I can get spurs playing hardball 40m upfront then extra 10m based on goals/caps??

chelsea have bid 29.5m for rooney and the arse 35m for mata so got cash coming in

but cant get the RW I wanted...it was going to be hermann(gladbach) activated his release clause 14m then bayern came in and there was only going to be 1 winner:p so onto leroy Sane schalke wanting 60m!!! reus even worse 100m so looking at mane??

Have a look at Bellarabi from Leverkusen. He has a release fee of about £11m if I remember correctly, been good for me so far.

I went for bale cost me 40 mil then 50 over 48 months playing him as an inside forward. He is not doing so well, may start again and get some youth players in. Zouma is going to be my 1st signing.

Have a look at Bellarabi from Leverkusen. He has a release fee of about £11m if I remember correctly, been good for me so far.

yep looks a good option for that price:thup:

''scott MUFC