The Manchester United transfer dilemma

• Manchester United appear unlikely to complete any significant business before Tuesday’s transfer deadline
• The Red Devils have only added loan players in Jack Butland and Wout Weghorst
• We analyze the transfer dilemma at Manchester United and what to expect in the summer transfer market

Manchester United appear unlikely to complete any significant business before Tuesday’s transfer deadline, but there is still plenty of speculation about the club’s long-term plans.

The January transfer window closes at 11 p.m., and the Red Devils have only added loan players in Jack Butland and Wout Weghorst, with any significant spending this month unlikely. However, Erik ten Hag has provided insight into how he wants his team to operate and how the club’s long-term recruitment strategy could look in his second transfer window.

We analyze the transfer dilemma at Manchester United and what to expect in the summer transfer market.

Right back concerns

Will Aaron Wan-Bissaka stay in the summer? Photo/ Sky Sports

Last summer, Ten Hag wanted to add a right-back but ultimately prioritised other positions, such as midfield and right wing. Diogo Dalot was allowed to assert his authority and, for the most part, has thrived under Ten Hag’s tutelage.

However, injury has limited the Portugal international to just two starts in the 11 games since the World Cup, putting Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the spotlight. The former Crystal Palace man has demonstrated that he is still defensively strong but lacks the offensive capabilities to be a long-term member of Ten Hag’s squad.

Midfield options

The injuries to Donny van de Beek and Christian Eriksen have been devastating for Manchester United, though the extent of the latter’s ankle problem has yet to be revealed. Eriksen’s absence would leave Ten Hag with only four senior midfielders to cover three positions: Casemiro, Fred, Scott McTominay, and Bruno Fernandes.

Zidane Iqbal and Kobbie Mainoo are options, but neither is ready for regular Premier League action. That is why adding reinforcements in the centre of the field could dominate the final hours of United’s January window. Failure to do so could be critical to the club’s chances of success in the second half of the season.

The perfect striker

Harry Kane has been linked to a possible move to United in the summer.|PHOTO: FIFA|

With Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure, United’s priority in January was always to bring in a centre-forward, and Wout Weghorst is an adequate short-term solution. However, Ten Hag’s decision to sign a striker known for his pressing and link-up play provides insight into the type of attacker he may look to sign in the summer.

A feisty poacher seems unlikely ahead of next season, and any prospective signing appears to need physicality and a decent range of passing. Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen have been mentioned as possible candidates, and both meet that requirement.

Who needs to leave?

Harry Maguire has been limited to a bench player at United. Photo/ CaughtOffside.

Certain players believe their time at United has come to an end. Ten Hag does not trust Harry Maguire and McTominay, and Victor Lindelof is not regarded as entirely trustworthy. Wan-Bissaka is expected to leave in the summer, while Brandon Williams is struggling to make the bench.

Van de Beek is also not thought to be in Ten Hag’s long-term plans, and it’s a cruel irony that his horrific knee injury may have inadvertently extended his United career.

Add in loanees Dean Henderson, Eric Bailly, Alex Telles – and Phil Jones, whose contract expires in the summer – and you have 11 senior players who could be released at the end of the season.

Many will not be allowed to leave, but a clear-out of some sort is expected, and incomings will be required to replace those exits. Of course, given the uncertainty surrounding who will own the club at the start of the 2023/24 season, Ten Hag’s transfer funds for the summer remain unknown.

Summer plans

As previously stated, a right-back and striker are required, and it appears that United will add to its midfield resources. If Maguire and Lindelof leave, it will be necessary to replace both centre-backs.

On the other hand, Ten Hag has formed the long-term team foundation, with David de Gea, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes, Antony and Marcus Rashford all expected to return next season. As a result, strengthening the squad, adding depth in all areas, and upgrading the two critical positions at right-back and upfront is likely necessary.