Manchester United are in disarray.
Even their manager described them as “perhaps the worst team in the club’s history”. Ruben Amorim tried to backtrack on that today and put the blame on his own performance, but his words on Sunday after the defeat to Brighton were clear.
They are 13th in the Premier League table and that is not a wrong position. The team lacks quality in all areas. The blame for this cannot lie on anyone – the gradual slide towards mediocrity began several years ago – but the current setting must take its share.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos group took over matters on the pitch when they bought a 27.7% stake in United in December 2023.
Ratcliffe felt there was a lack of footballing knowledge in the club’s structure and continued to bring in the likes of Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox, while previous manager Erik ten Haag was given a new contract after an inglorious search for a replacement.
A terrible summer window in 2024
Among them, he sanctioned the £60m signings of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich, Leny Yoro from Lille for £52m, Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna for £36.5m and Manuel Ugartem from Paris Saint-Ger £4. .
Five players for over £190m and, with the possible exception of the injury-plagued Yoro who clearly has potential, money seems to have been wasted.
Not one of them would get into Liverpool’s team and not one of Arsenal’s. It’s debatable how many would make United’s best XI when they were all fit.
So what now? Well, only Wilcox remains of the trio that oversaw the summer rebuild, which is positive and the club’s main focus will be to try and rid the squad of dead wood, most of whom are on big wages.
United are unlikely to have much financial room, but here we have identified five players who we believe can make a difference.
1. Victor Osimhen
Rasmus Hojlulnd continues to stare from his depths. He is clearly not an out and out number nine, as evidenced by his record of two goals in 17 Premier League appearances this season.
Napoli striker Osimen came close to joining Chelsea last summer but, with that move collapsing at the last minute, he has been loaned to Galatasaray until 2024-25.
Napoli are reportedly interested in United winger Alejandro Garnazzo and some form of swap deal would make sense for all parties.
Osimhen is reported to have a break clause in his loan deal, meaning a January move, albeit complicated, is possible.
2. Nuno Mendes
United have struggled all season on the left side of defence. Amorim plays a 3-4-3, a system in which Mendes would thrive given his natural athleticism.
The Portugal international is out of contract in 18 months and will likely take the opportunity to move to Old Trafford and reunite with Amorim.
It might be a deal for the summer.
3. Guillaume remains
United are in need of a new goalkeeper with Andre Onana’s performances becoming more erratic by the week. Restes is one who would need time to settle, given that he is only 19, but the Toulouse stopper is already regarded as the best young goalkeeper in France. He won’t play in Ligue 1 for much longer.
If the price is right, a deal could be made in this window.
4. Arda Guler
The Turkish star has failed to nail down a place at Real Madrid and manager Carlo Ancelotti does not appear to be convinced by the 19-year-old. However, anyone who watched him play for his country at Euro 2024 would have been impressed. Madrid are unlikely to sell a player with so much potential, but an 18-month loan move to Milan has been mooted. United must step in quickly and convince him to try his luck in England.
There is a deal to be done in January.
5. Joshua Kimmich
Kimmich’s deal with Bayern Munich expires in the summer and his future remains uncertain. The smart money is on him staying at the Allianz Arena, but he would be a perfect fit at Old Trafford. He can play multiple positions but, perhaps most importantly, he would bring a winning mentality that is sorely lacking.
Given his contract, United could speak to Kimmich now, although he is almost certain to remain in Germany until the end of the season.
2025-01-22 20:45:00
