- Man Utd in store for big summer transfer window
- Michael Carrick needs several signings
- Midfield rebuild the top priority
It is no secret that Manchester United have a significant summer transfer window in store ahead of the club’s Champions League return. Michael Carrick will have the opportunity to start shaping his squad after earning the permanent head coach job, and there should be money to spend.
Carrick, one of United’s greatest-ever midfielders, undoubtedly has the credentials to oversee this summer’s top priority, a long-neglected midfield rebuild. Casemiro is leaving as a free agent, and Manuel Ugarte is likely to follow the 34-year-old Brazilian through the departures suite.
Atalanta’s Ederson appears certain to become United’s first summer signing in the coming weeks, with two more midfielders expected to join. But the business must extend beyond Carrick’s engine room. There are multiple other areas to address if next season is to be a success.
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Benjamin Sesko needs support
While Carrick’s midfield is rightly the primary focus, other voids have emerged in his squad. The next-highest priority should be another striker to provide Benjamin Sesko with support and competition.
Joshua Zirkzee is set to depart, while Chido Obi is not yet ready for a permanent first-team promotion. United need an experienced frontman who will accept a rotational role but is capable of impacting matches as a starter or off the bench.
Man Utd’s left-side dilemma
The Red Devils also need to look towards the left side of the team. Realistically, Carrick needs an alternative left-winger who offers a different style than Matheus Cunha and a new left-back, following Tyrell Malacia’s exit.
That said, addressing both positions during a disrupted World Cup summer, where so much work is required, is improbable. The key lies with Patrick Dorgu, who made a positive impact as a forward in the second half of the season.
United signed Dorgu as a wing-back for Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 system last January. But while the Portuguese coach’s sacking was expected to prompt a switch to left-back, he has reverted to a more advanced position.
The 21-year-old Dane scored United’s goal of the season in January’s win at Arsenal and has five goal involvements in his last four starts. If his future is as a winger, Carrick should focus on recruiting an alternative to Luke Shaw at left-back, and vice versa.
Problems brewing at centre-back
If United have the resources for one more signing after the acquisition of three midfielders, a striker, a left-back or left-winger, a centre-back should be on the agenda.
The Old Trafford giants are actually well-stocked. Harry Maguire has signed a contract extension, so he joins Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro as Michael Carrick’s options.
However, the problem does not lie with numbers. Maguire will turn 34 next season and cannot be expected to be a regular starter. Meanwhile, De Ligt was one of United’s top performers this season before a cruel back injury in November ruled him out for the remaining six months.
The Dutchman has undergone surgery and will miss the start of next season. But, as brutal as it sounds, will he ever be the same again? Back problems are notoriously tough to shake.
Martinez is in a similar boat. He is arguably United’s best centre-back when fit and firing, but fortune has evaded him when it comes to injuries in the last few years. Carrick needs his money on the pitch.
Heaven is showing huge promise and looks like one of the bargains of the century, having arrived from Arsenal for just £1million. Club figures also still believe Yoro has serious potential, despite a difficult campaign.
It feels like United could do another centre-back, though. Carrick cannot block Heaven and Yoro’s pathway, and he may need to cash in on one of De Ligt or Martinez to make room.
But he still has a responsibility to improve his defence after it shipped 50 goals this term, almost double the tally of champions Arsenal. If the 20-time champions want to emulate Arsenal’s rebirth, it is time to get ruthless.
