Manchester United are in a mess.
A wretched season has gone from bad to worse under Erik ten Hag and now Ruben Amorim, who could be forgiven for having second thoughts about leaving Sporting CP. With a host of high-profile and highly-paid flops in his squad, it is going to take some sorting out for the Portuguese coach, assuming he is given the time.
Exasperated ex-United players regularly have their say on what is going wrong, with Paul Scholes insisting United need as many as seven new signings this summer if they are to compete next season. “When you look at teams, you look right down the spine of a team. Liverpool: great goalkeeper, great centre half, forwards, midfielders, whatever. I don’t think United have any of that in any position,” he said on The Overlap Fan Debate.
“I think a new goalkeeper is needed, possibly two centre halves, two centre midfield players and two centre forwards.” With United struggling to stay within PSR boundaries, bringing in that many players would be a stretch unless they are coupled with as many departures. But in the unlikely event United meet Scholes’ demand, here’s a taste of how Amorim’s side could shape up next season…
Goalkeeper
He might be good with his feet but Andre Onana has made too many basic mistakes to be considered a top-class Premier League stopper. And Amorim could return to Portugal to find a new number one.
Step forward, Porto stopper Diogo Costa, who was said to be on United’s radar during Ten Hag’s tenure – unless Manchester City get in there first amid reports he is being earmarked as Ederson’s long-term replacement.
But Costa, 25, is clearly fond of United. Speaking ahead of Porto’s Europa League game at Old Trafford earlier this season, he gushed: “For me, they [United] are the biggest team in England, a special club and one I have admired since I was a kid.”
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Centre-backs
Quality rather than quantity is the problem in this area of the pitch. And given Amorim’s three-at-the-back preference, it’s a position he needs to strengthen, according to Scholes.
The rumour mill is swirling, with Dutchman Dean Huijsen, 19, who has been outstanding for Bournemouth this season, reportedly on United’s radar. Meanwhile, reports in Germany suggest RB Leipzig’s French defender Castello Lukeba, 22, is being looked at by United. They could potentially play alongside Leny Yoro, 19, in an incredibly young back three.
Midfielders
There is an obvious need for more energy in United’s midfield. Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes, who was outstanding in his side’s 2-0 win at Old Trafford in December, would be a perfect, if unlikely, signing.
While United may struggle to meet what would be a hefty asking price, Magpies boss Eddie Howe has conceded that every player at every club has his price nowadays. Newcastle, like the Red Devils, are having to juggle PSR restrictions.
Another more realistic target would be Wolves’ impressive middleman Joao Gomes, 24, who has been linked with United since last summer. Former United scout Mick Brown told Football Insider in January: “United and Liverpool have been keeping tabs on him. Both have had scouts at Wolves’ games so they’ll be well aware of what he can bring to the team.”
Attacking options
Amorim clearly doesn’t fancy the forwards he inherited, given he resorted to playing Kobbie Mainoo as a false nine recently. Both creativity and goals are needed up top.
Dani Olmo, who can operate out wide and just behind a central striker, could be on the market this summer. The 26-year-old joined Barcelona from RB Leipzig in August, only to be become embroiled in registration saga which threatened to keep him sidelined.
Camp Nou chiefs could only register the Spain international for the first half of the campaign because of their difficulties meeting La Liga’s wage restrictions. In January, he was even barred from figuring for the Catalan giants before being allowed to play as part of a “precautionary measure”.
The complex issue isn’t settled though and it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that Olmo could trade one basketcase club for another this summer. Fitting Olmo into the team along with Bruno Fernandes may require Amad to play at right wing-back, with recent signing Patrick Dorgu on the oppositive flank.
As for goals, Viktor Gyokeres would be the dream signing given his longstanding relationship with Amorim. The Swede has continued banging them in, with 31 in all competitions this season.
Needless to say, he wouldn’t come cheap, but if the purse strings stretch far enough, Gyokeres could be on his way to Old Trafford. More realistic options include Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap or long-term Arsenal target Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig.
How United could look with seven new signings (3-4-3): Costa; Yoro, Huijsen, Lukeba; Amad, Gomes, Guimaraes, Dorgu; Fernandes, Olmo, Gyokeres.
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