Manchester United have signed two players so far this summer, Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee, and are reportedly in the market for a midfielder but are struggling to agree a deal with a number of their targets.
We assess the business they have done and what they still need to do…
Players in
The two confirmed transfers, Zirkzee and Yoro, are both young, exciting prospects who have encouraged fans ahead of the new season. Yoro is 18 years old and was signed from Lille, where he has played since he came through for their under-19s as a 15-year-old.
Yoro stands at six feet and two inches tall and is strong in the air, as well as being good at mopping things up in the box. He is adept at playing out from the back and his forward passing through the lines is a strength.
Unfortunately, for the 18-year old and United fans, he suffered an injury that will keep him out until around Christmas, so United will have to wait to see their new signing.
Zirkzee was signed from Bologna where he scored 11 goals in 32 league starts last season. The striker is 23 years old and six feet and four inches tall. His strengths include his IQ, hold-up play and finishing. His agility is an attribute that really stands out, especially for such a tall player.
The issue is that Zirkzee is very similar to Rasmus Hojlund. He has come from Italy and although he had a decent season, he is not yet ready to lead the line for a club like Manchester United. United now have two young, promising strikers who will need to share minutes, with neither of them being fully reliable or ready to take on the brunt of the responsibility.
Players out
The Red Devils have had a busy summer of outgoings, with 10 players leaving the club so far. There are two standouts, however, Raphael Varane and Mason Greenwood.
Varan has joined Italian side Como and in honesty, it is probably a smart move from United. The 31-year old was regularly injured during his time in England and only managed 16 league starts last season.
Greenwood has joined Marseille off the back of a successful season in Spain playing for Getafe. He contributed 14 goals and assists in the league and picked up their player of the season award.
United are also reportedly willing to let a number of other players leave this summer including Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Antony, Jadon Sancho, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire and Casemiro as they look to re-shape their squad.
What still needs to be done
United have been linked with PSG’s Manuel Ugarte for the past few weeks but talks have reportedly broken down after United were unwilling to pay the £52 million valuation that PSG have placed on him.
Other options in midfield have been identified as Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi and Burnley’s Sander Berge. Berge is not the calibre of player United fans had been expecting going into the window and Zubimendi seems a difficult deal to complete as the Spaniard is thought to be close to a move to Liverpool. He has a €60 million release clause, and Liverpool are confident of agreeing a deal to sign him.
Another option is Monaco’s Youssouf Fofana, who has impressed for the French club and looks to be the type of player United are lacking, though would be expensive. And there have even been talks that it would be more realistic for the club to go back in for Sofyan Amrabat, who was at United on loan from Fiorentina last season but failed to make the desired impact.
United are also said to be chasing another central defender following Yoro’s injury, with Bayern Munich’s Mathjis de Ligt a long-term target. A new right-back is also on the list, with Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries and de Ligt’s team-mate Noussair Mazraoui linked to the club, but that reportedly depends on the departure of Wan-Bissaka.
The spine of the team, central defence and central midfield, is certainly a priority. And at present, without further additions, United do not look well placed to improve on last season’s disappointment.
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