Man United’s starting XI could look even better next season if everything goes well in the summer transfer window.
Manchester United have performed better than some fans could have even dreamt of this season but with success comes the dreaded rising of expectations.
The most United fans demanded of Erik ten Hag in his debut campaign at Old Trafford was a top-four finish and perhaps, maybe an end to the club’s long trophy drought. Well, the latter has already been achieved with the Carabao Cup win and it would take an almighty collapse for United to slip out of the Champions League places. Additionally, they could still win the Europa League and the FA Cup.
The new manager has got practically every big decision he has made correct. But after such a great maiden season, his targets will be significantly higher next term. Anything less than a genuine tilt at the Premier League title that goes to the wire and a good run in the Champions League will feel underwhelming.
If United are to have a hope of hitting those aims then there will need to be serious spending in the summer. What has made Ten Hag’s transformation even more impressive is the fact he has done it with limited options.
Nowhere is that clearer than upfront. Rashford is by far and away the top scorer this season with 27 goals but he has played his best football when operating off the left flank. United’s central strikers have not been good enough. Anthony Martial has missed more games than he’s played, Cristiano Ronaldo was clearly never suited to the task and forced his way out while Wout Weghorst can press and link up play but just can’t score.
United need an elite-level striker who can do the hard work off the ball, is talented enough with it at his feet but can also be relied upon to consistently find the back of the net when chances come his way. It’s the biggest priority and Harry Kane would be the dream addition.
Ten Hag has made him his prime target but, even though he is approaching the final year of his contract, wrestling him away from Daniel Levy will not be easy or cheap. Yet, a striker of his calibre would be worth every penny if he fired them to the title. Victor Osimhen, Goncalo Ramos and Mohammed Kudus are also on the club’s radar.
Midfield will also be a key area of recruitment once again. Christian Eriksen and Casemiro have been the driving force behind United’s improvement and, as a result, they are missed when unavailable. Donny van de Beek and Scott McTominay have not improved under Ten Hag and while Fred has, he remains too inconsistent to be a regular starter.
It also doesn’t help that United’s quality midfield duo are both over 30 and have been unavailable for large portions of the season. More quality is needed to help kick United on to the next level. Frenkie de Jong may be Ten Hag’s preferred signing but Jude Bellingham will likely be much more exciting to supporters given his age, special talent and the fact the Dutchman has repeatedly said he wants to stay at Barcelona.
Bellingham would also likely cost well over £100million so it would be an expensive dream window for United but it would still be a bargain. The Borussia Dortmund star is still just a teenager but is already one of the best midfielders in the world and it’s thrilling to think how good he could become.
Though he wouldn’t be a starter, making Marcel Sabitzer’s loan move permanent could be an easy way to add yet more quality in depth for multiple midfield positions.
If there’s one thing going in United’s favour it’s that they can focus their budget on those two areas as they don’t need more wingers and the defence is nearly sorted as well. Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane are a brilliant centre-back pairing while Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw are capable back-ups. Shaw and Tyrell Malacia have got left-back locked down.
Ten Hag may want to add another centre-back for depth if Harry Maguire is sold but that’s not a priority which leaves right-back as the only other position which could see improvement. Diogo Dalot has improved considerably this season and, to everyone’s surprise, as has Aaron Wan-Bissaka so it wouldn’t be a disaster if a new one isn’t recruited.
But Ten Hag may look to sign a right-back who is as capable at both ends of the pitch. Fellow Dutchman Denzel Dumfries could be just the man and the Inter star has already been linked with a move to Old Trafford.
If the summer goes to plan, Ten Hag might just be able to defy expectations once again.
Source: manchestereveningnews.co.uk
