Deadline day is almost here, and Manchester United have plenty of work to do. It is the final day for Manchester United to shape the ...
Deadline day is almost here, and Manchester United have plenty of work to do.
It is the final day for Manchester United to shape the squad for the season. There is a wide acknowledgement that more work is required to bolster the squad.
Even the players have admitted more new faces are needed, while Michael Carrick has been coy on the possibility.
Here is a look at how the perfect deadline day scenario would pan out…
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Left-back: Manchester United need reinforcements at left-back. The very basic need is to find cover for Luke Shaw, who has an unreliable injury record.
The preferable scenario would be to find more than a ‘stop gap/back-up’, to find a player who can genuinely succeed United’s longest-serving star.
Newcastle’s Lewis Hall is the dream addition. He could cost towards £70 million at this late stage.
An alternative could be Brighton’s Ferdi Kadioglu, who has versatility, Premier League and international experience.
Striker: United could still do with signing another striker, one who is an upgrade on Joshua Zirkzee. Michael Carrick does not trust the Dutchman.
Zirkzee has not played a single minute so far this season despite being fully fit, with Benjamin Sesko preferred despite missing all of pre-season.
The absolute dream deal would be for United to splash the cash and sign Atletico Madrid’s wantaway forward Julian Alvarez, with his ideal move to Barcelona blocked.
This is most probably far too rich and ambitious for Ineos, and it’s unclear whether there is a striker lined up.
An intriguing name is Club Brugge striker Nicolo Tresoldi, a German under-21 international who has great potential.
Bonus midfielder: United could further bolster the midfield position by striking a deal for Leicester City prospect Louis Page.
The club have been linked to Page over the past month. The 18-year-old has a big reputation already, but United have not managed to agree a fee.
In the past United missed out on the likes of Adam Wharton and Michael Olise by failing to get cheap deals done when they were emerging talents. This is a chance to buy Page when he is on the rise – and he could even be loaned back to Leicester if required.
Permanent exit: To facilitate a striker signing, United would need to find a buyer for Joshua Zirkzee.
There has been interest from Serie A sides but options are running out. Is there a surprise team in the hunt?
Even if it is a loan deal with a permanent option, this is a move which United need to agree providing there is a striker incoming. The club is leaving it late on both sides.
Loans: There are a number of young players who do need loan moves to progress their careers.
One of them is Harry Amass, only if United do not sign a left-back. Many would prefer that he is kept as cover.
Here is the list of the four players who are most in need of a loan exit.
