Man United must take transfer risk and ignore key position this summer
Man United must take transfer risk and ignore key position this summer In an ideal world a wave of peace and love would wash over this troubled planet, but alas we do not live in such a world. And for that reason, Manchester United will not suddenly acquire strength in depth in every position over a dazzling summer of dynamic transfer activity. Even if Champions League football storms back into Old Trafford resources are far from limitless, the capacity to do deals finite.
United need to prioritise and should do so boldly and clearly just as they did last summer. Attacking example An ailing attack was given a dramatic overhaul that, by all accounts, paid off. Some £200m was spent on Bryan Mbeumo , Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko , while the likes of Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho were rightly jettisoned.
The result is a combined 27 goals and counting in all competitions. It’s a decent return considering that only one dedicated striker arrived, and that he only started firing in earnest since the turn of the year. But, given the versatility of Mbeumo – who has started ahead of Sesko in the centre-forward role numerous times under Michael Carrick – the need to sign another striker this summer is simply not great enough to take up any resources that could be deployed elsewhere.
Low on the list Make no mistake, reinforcement at number 9 would be wonderful, especially if young Chido Obi ’s progress remains slow. United’s attack could be rocked by a long-term injury and Joshua Zirkzee , nominally an option in that position, seems set for an exit . But compared to the gaping chasm about to open still wider in the midfield when Casemiro leaves at the end of the season, there should be no debate about where United’s priorities must lie.
With two or even three midfield vacancies to fill depending on the future of Manuel Ugarte , that is where funds and attention should be focused. Bigger fish to fry The Red Devils have wasted enough time and resource over the past decade on failed midfield experiments; it’s time for INEOS to put their money where their mouth is for a second summer running. This time, there is nowhere to hide.