Although the current season’s not wrapped up yet, having fallen a long way short of pre-season ambitions of at least reaching the UEFA Champions League, Manchester United will once again be in rebuilding mode in the summer.
It is a cycle that we seem to have been stuck in for a few years now. But can we get it right this time around? The positive from a disappointing season is that it’s evident which are the positions that we need to improve in.
Another positive is that the 2024 European Championships are coming up in the summer. While fans are focusing on the bookmakers listed at Legalbet.uk for the 2024 European Championship, United’s recruitment team could be scouting the international scene looking for players who can get them back on track.
Goalkeeping
Despite the arrival of Andre Onana, the Cameroon international hasn’t been the model of consistency between the sticks that United would have hoped for. With no apparent upgrade after letting David de Gea go, United could push for something better in goal, as Onana doesn’t look like a long-term bet. The likelihood however is that we will double down and spend any transfer money elsewhere instead.
Central Defence
This is the main area in whichManchester United just need a huge overhaul. The fact that we had to turn to Jonny Evans for 2023/24 says a lot about how little we trusted what we had.
Lisandro Martínez is the pick of the central defenders but has had limited playing time in the 2023/24 season because of injury. He should be the first name in central defence, with Raphael Varane still the most likely partner, but even he has looked average for the most part since his move to Old Trafford.
We have Kambwala who should work his way through the ranks, but shouldn’t be a regular starter yet. Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans meanwhile all look replaceable.
One thing from the 2023/24 campaign is that United have no leader in the back-line. It’s something we desperately need, a commanding, towering figure with a good turn of speed who can organise. We need the type of defender who will walk into the starting eleven with no questions asked and is immediate captain material.
Right Back
While there are no world-class full backs at United, we seem to be fine in this position with the likes of Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Tyrell Malacia and Diogo Dalot. They are arguably weaker in the right back position than the left, so bringing in some reinforcements there wouldn’t be a bad idea, but not as pressing as in other areas.
Central Midfielder
The Red Devils won't likely be investing in the midfield for next season’sPremier League campaign, but it’s an area where we should. We have the great young talent of Kobbie Mainoo who looks mature beyond his years, backed by Scott McTominay who is quietly consistent.
However, a stronger, more agile holding midfielder to upgrade on Casemiro would go a long way, but players like that are not easy to come by or cheap. Think of a player like Declan Rice instead in the heart of the midfield, and what a tremendous extra dimension such a figure would give United.
Bruno Fernandes will be relied on to pull the creative strings, and rightly so. There are big question marks in the depth behind him if he gets injured, though, with the uninspiring options of Christian Eriksen and Mason Mount. It’ll be hard for United to really upgrade here and we probably won’t.
Striker
Manchester United are crying out for a genuine number nine. If we don’t go hard for a quality striker in the summer, then major questions are going to be asked again about our ambitions.
Rasmus Hojlund was asked to carry the can for the 2023/24 season and put in the work, but with not enough returns. The youngster looks like he needs more time and experience, so playing second fiddle to a world-class striker is exactly what he and the club needs.
Forwards
Alejandro Garnacho is worth keeping around, but there is a lot of room for transfer targets in the rest of the forward department. None of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Antony would particularly be missed if they were replaced with some fresh blood.
In Summary
The two key transfer areas for Manchester United in the summer of 2024 are glaringly obvious - a world-class central defender and a world-class striker. While we need other bits and pieces like a central midfielder, if we drop the ball again in the two main areas, more of the same problems are going to persist. |
