Manchester United need to complete more signings and sales if they are going to be any less rotten next season. Oh, also, your cereal needs more milk on it in the morning if you want it to be less crunchy. Two statements so obvious you don’t need any football writer to repeat either again.
As good a player as Matheus Cunha could be for United after his £62.5million transfer from Wolves, he alone will not drag Ruben Amorim’s team from 15th to Champions League contention. The Red Devils must oversee multiple further incomings, and offloading those not part of the project is equally as important. Amorim must shift players to trim the fat from his underperforming squad and boost his budget, which doesn’t seem to extend beyond two recruits.
Read on for a glimpse at how United could look when they start their Premier League campaign against Arsenal, should the required business follow this highly optimistic article.
Goalkeeper: Martinez
Andre Onana has failed to convince across his two years at United, and while he may want to stay and fight for his place, that’s not a given.
While it appears like Amorim is ready to enter next season with the former Inter Milan goalkeeper between the sticks, that would surely change if a suitable offer arrived.
Emi Martinez is set to leave Aston Villa this summer and has been strongly linked with an Old Trafford switch in recent weeks.
His arrival would follow the early trend of United targeting Premier League-proven players to make an immediate impact.
Defence: Mazraoui, De Ligt, Yoro
United don’t need to reinforce their defence this summer, despite Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans’ exits as free agents.
The choice of Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire, Ayden Heaven, Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez represents sufficient depth across the back three.
Mazraoui, De Ligt and Yoro likely make up Amorim’s first-choice defence, but the competition for places is strong.
Midfield: Amad, Palhinha, Fernandes, Dorgu
Given United’s clear focus on bolstering their attack this summer, Amad seems primed to spend the majority of his minutes at right-wing-back in Amorim’s strongest team, competing with Diogo Dalot.
Patrick Dorgu should remain the first-choice left-wing-back after arriving at Old Trafford from Lecce for £25m in January.
Bruno Fernandes will be a permanent fixture in the midfield, dropping back from an attacking position for the same reason as Amad.
Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo and among the potential options to partner him in the engine room.
However, Joao Palhinha has emerged as a potential market opportunity, with Bayern Munich reportedly demanding as low as £26m for the 29-year-old.
Amorim and Fernandes’ Portuguese compatriot flourished as one of the Premier League’s top defensive midfielders at Fulham and could be interested in a return.
Attack: Mbeumo, Cunha, Gyokeres
Cunha is already through the door, and Bryan Mbeumo should follow him soon.
United are locked in negotiations with Brentford over the 25-year-old’s transfer fee after he approved a summer switch to Manchester.
The M16 giants will then need to cash in on Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Jadon Sancho as planned to fund a new striker.
And Amorim is surely dreaming of a reunion with Sporting frontman Viktor Gyokeres, should Arsenal opt for RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.
Gyokeres is reportedly prioritising a move to the Gunners but could grow more open to a United move if he falls down Mikel Arteta’s shortlist.