Man United have had a successful window so far this summer but there is still plenty more work to be done ahead of the September 1 deadline.
George is a Senior Football Writer for the Manchester Evening News, mostly covering Manchester United. He previously worked for football.london before joining the MEN team in July 2021. As well as covering United, George is a Championship-enthusiast and co-hosts The Championship Chat Podcast (@Champchatpod24), which you can find on all major podcast platforms.
Ollie Watkins is being linked with a move to Manchester United.(Image: Matt McNulty/Getty Images.)
With just over five weeks of the summer transfer window remaining, Manchester United still have plenty of work to do.
Ahead of facing West Ham United in their opening game of their pre-season tour of the United States this weekend, United have had a successful summer thus far, bringing in Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo from Wolves and Brentford respectively.
After scoring 35 Premier League goals between them last season, United have taken a huge stride towards solving their attacking problems. Cunha and Mbeumo were among the best players in the division last term and each bring a wealth of quality to M16.
United have rightfully prioritised attacking signings this summer after finishing each of the last two Premier League campaigns with a negative goal difference. However, they are yet to source the natural No.9 they desperately need.
Having signed Cunha and Mbeumo for an overall package that could eventually be worth up to £133.5million, United need to rely on sales to fund further incomings. With that in mind, MEN Sport has had a close look at what United should still be striving to achieve ahead of the window closing.
Incomings:
As already documented, United want to sign a striker before the window closes. However, after missing out on Liam Delap, who joined Chelsea from Ipswich Town last month, they are struggling to source an alternative.
Set to miss out on the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, who is poised to join Arsenal, and Victor Osimhen, who is set to join Galatasaray on a permanent deal from Napoli, United are being forced to look elsewhere for a goal-getter. They are now being heavily linked with Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig.
The elephant in the room is that United need to sell in order to be able to buy. Marcus Rashford’s loan switch to Barcelona ensures United will save millions on his wages, but that package will not be enough to fund the addition of an elite-level goal-getter, meaning United need to raise more money via sales (more on that later).
In addition to signing a striker, which has to be their top priority, United also remain keen on recruiting a midfielder and a goalkeeper. However, the Reds are unlikely to be able to swoop for a midfielder for as long as they are stuck with Casemiro.
Manchester United are continuing to be linked with a move for Valencia ace Javi Guerra.(Image: Jose Miguel Fernandez/NurPhoto via Getty Images.)
Despite signing Manuel Ugarte last year, United need an upgrade in midfield. It is understood head coach Ruben Amorim wants a midfielder who is equally comfortable on the ball and defensively.
As far as United’s interest in signing a goalkeeper is concerned, they want someone who can compete with and challenge Andre Onana for the No.1 spot. They continue to be linked with Royal Antwerp shot-stopper Senne Lammens.
Outgoings:
Rashford became the first high profile departure of the window on Wednesday, but United need to oversee several more outgoings before September 1. It has been well-documented in recent weeks that Tyrell Malacia, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony all want to move on.
The quartet have been left out of the squad that has travelled to the US, highlighting they have no place in Amorim’s long-term plans. It would in United’s best interests if they could sell all four of them on permanent deals.
Garnacho is the most valuable asset United are looking to sell this summer, and if they play their cards right, they should be attracting offers of at least £50m for him. He has enormous potential and United should try and secure every penny they possibly can for him.
In addition to trying to offload their four wantaway stars, they should be looking to sell Altay Bayindir, but that will depend on if they can source a new goalkeeper first. As jittery as the Turkish international can be, United can ill-afford to leave themselves short.
Alejandro Garnacho wants to leave Old Trafford.(Image: Thomas Tang/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images.)
Joshua Zirkzee and Casemiro are two more players United should be striving to offload permanently. The former could find regular game time hard to come by after the additions of Cunha and Mbeumo, while the latter is likely to suffer from a lack of European football this season.
Casemiro saved his best performances last term for the Europa League and that is a luxury United will be without this term. The Brazilian has entered the last year of his contract, meaning this summer is the perfect time for him to be sold.
He earns around £300,000-a-week and United need to sell him for £15m to avoid a loss and the profit and sustainability. He is currently competing with the likes of Toby Collyer, Kobbie Mainoo, Ugarte and Fernandes for a starting berth.
Meanwhile, United need to try and get Ethan Wheatley out on loan once again after a disappointing time at Walsall in the second half of last season.
11 transfers United need still need to oversee this summer:
Incomings: goalkeeper, midfielder & a striker.
Outgoings: Altay Bayindir, Tyrell Malacia, Casemiro, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony, Joshua Zirkzee & Ethan Wheatley (loan).