Football News: Manchester United Transfer Options

I’m still taking a wait and see approach to this transfer window. I appreciate it is probably one of the trickiest ones Manchester United have had to negotiate in over a decade, while for some fans no matter what happened they will complain.

I’m thinking, ideally that the club had four areas they were seriously looking at, CB fullback, CM and CF.

We’ve got the CF position sorted with Zirkzee, who I think could be a very good signing for us.

I think fullback was an area that defended on outgoings. AWB is a player who the club would rather sell this summer than lose for nothing next year. If he leaves then he’ll need to be replaced. There are concerns at LB due to injuries. However, with a limited budget, they may hope that Amass might be able to step up for a few games if needed, or maybe the club could sign a CB or RB who can cover LB in a pinch. AWB leaving and a new RB looks like something that is a matter of when not if, currently.

At CB I think we wanted at least two new players, someone for RCB and LCB. Branthwaite looked like the top choice along with Todibo. UEFA shot down Todibo, while Branthwaite has proven a difficult deal to do (although I wouldn’t be surprised if we still signed him). We’ve managed to sneak in and get Yoro, who didn’t look like an attainable target. While MdL has become a possible target due to the club being led to believe Bayern would let him leave for a reasonable fee.

Whether that was wide of the mark or Bayern have changed their mind, who knows, but they are holding out for a bigger fee than United seem willing to pay. Especially given the high wages that MdL would demand (even if he’ll accept a pay cut from his current Bayern salary). I’m still fairly certain that we’ll get another CB. It could be either MdL or Branthwaite, or maybe even someone else.

Midfield for me is the most interesting area. Mainoo has burst on the scene with such impact that it has now become about finding the right partner for him. The club was again reported to ideally be targeting two players. A special-ist defensive midfielder as a first choice player, and a more rounded player as back up. Someone capable of playing in a few different ways and who can add that quality in depth and give the manager some tactical flexibility in midfield.

Ideally, I think the club was hopeful of moving on Casemiro and replacing him with a top class CDM. Along with one of McTominay or Eriksen (maybe both) and replacing them with a cheaper all rounder squad…