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The 2024 summer transfer window has been open for five days and Manchester United have not made a sale or purchase.
It’s not unusual, but given the overhaul needed at Old Trafford, fans are beginning to shift nervously in their seats wondering if the great Ineo will really be more determined or successful in the transfer market than his predecessors.
Two targets are insanely urgent – a centre-back to replace Raphael Varane (and possibly Jonny Evans, as the clock ticks down on his contract renewal) and at least one striker to replace Rasmus Hojlund.
United reportedly have irons in the fire on both fronts, having made a bid for Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite to fill the former and inquiring about Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee to fill the latter.
However, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, United are also starting to focus on strengthening their midfield.
In his daily briefing, Romano said: “I hear that in the last 24-48 hours (United) have made some inquiries in the market regarding a new midfielder. They are exploring options in midfield, especially if Casemiro leaves, which remains a strong possibility.
“United are assessing their options and have started to make moves to strengthen their midfield – we’ll see who it will be and what United will do, but they’re sure to be very busy in the coming weeks, so keep an eye out for potential new arrivals at centre-back, left back, striker and midfield.”
United had numbers in central midfield last season: Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Kobbie Mainoo, Scott McTominay and loanee Sofyan Amrabat.
Donny van de Beek is still on the roster after returning from his unsuccessful loan spell at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Outside of Mainoo, however, there are problems with each of those stars.
Casemiro has had an extremely poor season and the yardage seems to be short. According to Romano, an exit is on the cards if a club can be found willing to accept his massive £350,000-a-week wages.
Ten Hag used Eriksen very sparingly last term, suggesting he too could be considered past his prime. Reports claim that the player himself would like to move in order to play more regular football.
Amrabat’s loan spell has been a very poor one and he is likely to return to Fiorentina, although there is still the possibility, after a slight improvement towards the end of the season, that United decide to make the deal permanent.
McTominay did well as a substitute in goals last term, but his performances in the middle of the park have been poor and he could be a target again like West Ham. Even if he stays, it’s unlikely he’ll be considered good enough to be a regular starter.
As for poor Donny van de Beek, there seems to be little hope that he will ever return to the form he displayed at Ajax all those years ago.
As for who United could bring in, reports have linked them with Benfica’s Joao Neves, Sporting’s Morten Hjulmand, Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong and Monaco’s Youssouf Fofana, among others.
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