Manchester United’s summer transfer window may have ended at the beginning of the week but already attention is turning to the January market
Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba(Image: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim spoke warily about the summer transfer window when his team embarked on a post-season tour of Asia.
He warned supporters that without Champions League football this season, United’s hands were tied in regards to the business they could do. This was a huge concern considering the Reds finished just above the relegation zone and the changes to the squad needed to be drastic.
In fairness to Amorim and Ineos, the club underpromised and could well have overdelivered. The attack was overhauled completely and once up to speed, it shall be Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko as a three-pronged forward line in the Premier League.
United boosted their defence in January but welcomed Diego Leon to their squad at the beginning of the summer. Meanwhile, on deadline day, Senne Lammens was brought in to add some strength and competition to the goalkeeper position.
The one area which wasn’t improved was the midfield and arguably that should have been the priority after boosting the attack. That being said, it seems that United know this and are looking towards January to see what they can do to improve that area of the pitch.
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In truth, United will need to look to make room in their midfield before they look to add players to their squad. Perhaps the ideal scenario would be for Casemiro to leave.
He is one of the highest earners at the club, and there has previously been talk of Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr being interested in his services. Whether they would purchase him with six months remaining on his contract remains to be seen, but if he were to agree a pre-contract elsewhere, that would allow for a little bit of wiggle room.
At that stage, you would imagine that Carlos Baleba would be the top target for the Reds. Brighton were not willing to do business in the summer, and perhaps it would be even less likely for United to do a deal in January, but he would be the ideal replacement for Casemiro.
Another name now being linked is Chelsea’s Romeo Lavia. The Independent understands that he could be a back-up option for United should the Reds not be able to sign Baleba.
Romeo Lavia(Image: FIFA via Getty Images)
United have a good relationship with Chelsea, so you can imagine a deal could be done. However, were Manuel Ugarte to be sold, Amorim could perhaps convince Ineos to add the former Southampton man to his squad.
Kobbie Mainoo may have asked to leave on loan towards the end of the summer transfer window, but keeping him and adding the final piece of the puzzle in Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton would leave United with frighteningly good options.
Baleba and Lavia would be battling for one of the positions, and Wharton, Bruno Fernandes and Mainoo the other. Fernandes could also be moved into the attacking midfield area too, providing support for Cunha and Mbeumo.
This is by far the dream midfield for United but will largely depend on the other areas of the squad not needing improvements.
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