Kagawa apparently wants to fight for his place, and if Rooney goes, Kagawa has a place. We're using a flat 4-4-2 formation with Carrick & Cleverley in midfield simply to accomodate Rooney in his CF position behind RVP. We don't have the midfield for a 4-4-2 formation to work at ALL.
I agree it's tough for us to get any of those, but it's doable. Khedira also is a realistic target. Koke would be a great signing too if we were unable to get Gundogan or something. Bender has a release clause I think so he'll be easy to get for next summer.
--------------------------------[______ De Gea ______]--------------------------------
------------------- Jones --------------------------------------- Evans --------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rafael ------------- L. Bender -------------------------------------------------- Baines
-------------------------------------------------------- Gundogan --------------------------
--------------------------------------- Kagawa ----------------------------------------------
-------------- Januzaj -------------------------------------------- Rooney ----------------
---------------------------------------- Van Persie ------------------------------------------
That team could compete with any in Europe imo. The downside to that is Rooney doesn't like playing wing and ain't that good at it, so if a player like Reus is available, then he's the one to go for. Or Ronaldo
.