Bryan Mbeumo to sign, six exits – 5 things on Man Utd’s pre-season to-do list

Manchester United are set to return to Carrington over the next week with boss Ruben Amorim keen to get back down to work as he attempts to get the Red Devils back on track

Manchester United face a pivotal campaign this season – and planning is already well underway. A number of Red Devils return to Carrington on Monday for their first day of pre-season.

And it’s probably fair to say that Ruben Amorim will have his stars hard at work as he attempts to recover from what was a woeful season last time out. Fortunately, work has already started on their summer business.

A £62.5m deal for Matheus Cunha has already been rubber-stamped – with the Brazilian joining from Wolves – while Diego Leon became United’s second addition of the summer. But the work is not expected to end there.

A new winger, as well as a striker, are also on the club’s shopping list. But will those deals get done in time?

There’s less than two weeks before United’s first pre-season friendly of the summer against Leeds so Amorim will be keen to get moving. Take a look at the most pressing issues that the Portuguese coach needs to sort:

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Bryan Mbeumo deal done

The Brentford star has emerged as the Red Devils’ prime target of the summer – and all the signs point towards the deal being done. United have faced competition from Premier League rivals Tottenham but Mbeumo is currently prioritising a switch to Old Trafford.

They have had two bids for Mbeumo rejected and are now contemplating a third which will be in the region of £65m. And should all go to plan, United will be optimistic of getting a deal done sooner rather than later.

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Seal major sales

A deal for Mbeumo will take United’s spending this summer to around £130m, meaning they will likely need sales to offset that outlay. And there are already a number of candidates to leave.

Last season’s loanees Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Antony are all high on the list of potential departures. So Amorim will be very hopeful of finding suitors for all of the three.

The exits are unlikely to stop there though. Goalkeeper Andre Onana is a candidate to leave on loan, while left-back Tyrell Malacia is unlikely to have a future at the club following a season with PSV.

Finally, Alejandro Garnacho could also be sold amid apparent interest from Chelsea and Napoli. Amorim will surely want the future of his misfits decided before they fly away for their pre-season tour, but that could well be a tough task.

Decide on number one

Speaking of departures, Onana is one of a host of players who could leave. The Cameroonian goalkeeper has endured a tricky few seasons since joining for big money from Inter Milan.

Reports have suggested that United are open to letting him leave on loan amid apparent interest from Monaco. And that has seen the club linked with a host of goalkeepers including Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez and Botafogo star John Victor.

Amorim must come to a decision over his number one sooner rather than later. If he decides to let Onana go, a replacement needs to be signed but if he stays, Amorim needs to make it clear that he is his man going forward.

Clarify striker situation

And while Amorim has a decision to make between the sticks, the same could be said of the centre of his attack. Cunha and Mbeumo represent excellent additions to United’s frontline but they are unlikely to be leading the line this coming season.

A central striker has long been on the club’s shopping list. Viktor Gyokeres was a strong candidate for a move but he now appears likely to become an Arsenal player instead.

It could potentially leave United in a tricky position where they don’t have enough funds for a new striker, which may have to see Amorim put his faith in Rasmus Hojlund. But that decision needs to be made first.

Compile loan list

The past few seasons have obviously been rotten for United but there is one place that they have excelled – giving academy stars an opportunity. Kobbie Mainoo and Toby Collyer are two of the standout success stories over recent seasons.

But with a lack of European football next season, the best way for the club’s young stars to get experience might be loan spells away. Dan Gore, Harry Amass and Ethan Wheatley are candidates for temporary moves, while there are also plenty of promising stars in the club’s academy ranks who could benefit from moves.

Amorim needs to work with newly-appointed head of loans Jonny Evans to decide who could potentially be sent out on loans over the coming weeks.

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