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New United captain Bruno Fernandes has been handed the armband by manager Erik ten Hag. He says the Red Devils must ‘raise the bar’ this season.
Transfers
The transfer window is always fascinating at Manchester United, but this summer it looks as though the Red Devils are nipping at the heels of their immediate Premier League rivals. Manager Erik ten Hag has already shown an eagerness to invest in new players for his second season at Old Trafford. Last summer he signed Tyrell Malacia, Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez as well as bringing in Wout Weghorst on loan from Arsenal and Marcel Sabitzer from Bayern Munich.
But there’s still a lot of work to be done, especially given the club finished third in the table and are a full 14 points behind the champions, with Manchester City able to bolster their squad this year with wonderkid striker Kylian Mbappe joining on a world record fee from Paris Saint-Germain. United are looking to make a bigger impact up front, with Harry Kane the top target.
There’s also a need to strengthen the center manchester united news, even with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez impressing. Victor Lindelof has been a solid player since returning to the team, but United would love to add more consistency and experience in the position.
In midfield, ten Hag is keen to bring in more attacking flair. There’s a need for a mobile No 8 who can combine attacking edge with defensive intelligence and that’s why they’re interested in Chelsea’s Mason Mount. The manager sees him as a good fit with his system and the player seems open to a move.
At a more granular level, the Red Devils have been linked with a number of young players. Kouadio ‘Manu’ Kone is an interesting option as he won’t turn 22 until May and could help rejuvenate the midfield. The former Toulouse player has played at Ligue 2 level but has excelled at Borussia Monchengladbach.
Another interesting name to watch is Denzel Dumfries, who impressed for the USMNT at the World Cup. The Dutch defender is a free agent after leaving his contract with Bayern Munich and could be a solid addition at Old Trafford. He is also being considered by a number of other clubs, including Arsenal and Atletico Madrid.
Goalkeeper
The goalkeeper position is a hotly debated issue at Manchester United this summer. David de Gea woke up on his wedding day yesterday UNEMPLOYED and despite agreeing to a new contract the Spaniard’s departure seems imminent. This will sting boss Erik ten Hag who was prioritising other deals this summer and could now have to spend more of his limited transfer budget on a replacement.
Having already paid PS43m for Andre Onana the club staff have now been holding talks with Fenerbahce’s Turkey international Altay Bayindir. The 25-year-old is not in the same class as his Ajax compatriot but is a solid all round player who has excelled at European competitions and is a proven goal scorer. He will cost around PS5m and would offer competition to Tom Heaton, who was a key member of the United team that reached the semi-finals of last season’s Europa League.
Dean Henderson also remains on the books but will only stay if he is assured regular first-team football. 90min understands that the club are perplexed by reports that the keeper wants to stay and would not be happy with being a back-up to another keeper.
With the signing of Chelsea defender Mason Mount expected to be wrapped up this week, a decision will then have to be made on Dean Henderson, who spent last season on loan at Nottingham Forest. Ten Hag will be eager to retain the keeper and add elite leadership to his backroom staff but may need to let him go if he can’t find an agreement on a new deal.
The pursuit of Feyenoord’s Justin Bijlow is also underway. The 25-year-old impressed for the Eredivisie giants and is an athletic keeper with excellent distribution skills. He has a good pedigree having played at Bayern Munich and could provide another option for the club’s goalkeeping coaches. However, a move to Old Trafford will likely come down to whether he can match or even come close to the level of performance and success that De Gea has brought to the club in his time there.
Midfielder
The Manchester United midfield has arguably been their weakest point this season, with only Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes among the team’s top scorers. However, it looks as though the Red Devils have plans to address this issue as a priority in the summer transfer window.
According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the club are looking to add one more midfielder to their ranks this month. While the club isn’t in advanced negotiations with any targets, they have made it clear that they want to bolster their options in the centre of the park.
As such, a deal for a talented youngster could be on the cards. Several names have been linked with a move to Old Trafford, including Juventus’s Adrien Rabiot, Tottenham’s Erik Hojbjerg, and PSV Eindhoven’s Xavi Simons. The latter of these players is a particular target for Manchester United as they are impressed with his work ethic and his desire to improve.
Amid the uncertainty surrounding the future of current midfielder Jorginho, a deal for a new arrival may seem inevitable. However, it’s unclear what will happen to the Brazilian when his contract expires in 2023. He is likely to remain at the club, but his role will have to change as United look to evolve their system under ten Hag.
Having watched their previous midfielder in the position leave for Chelsea, the scouts at Carrington are keen to find another experienced option in the middle of the park. And The Sun claims that they are looking at West Ham’s Declan Rice as a possible replacement.
Another name in the mix is former Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta’s teammate, Mateo Kovacic. The Real Madrid player is a box-to-box midfielder who would fit in well with a double-pivot. He can tackle, pass and play in possession and is one of the best in Europe at moving the ball forward. Furthermore, he is press-resistant and a serial winner. And with a past working relationship between himself and Casemiro, the two could make a good partnership at Old Trafford.
Defender
Manchester United is one of the world’s biggest football clubs, and its revenue comes from sponsorship, merchandising, product licensing, mobile and content, and broadcasting. Its global television channel, MUTV, delivers matches to various countries and regions around the world. The club has a variety of retail stores, distribution channels, and e-commerce sites.
It is a well-known fact that the Old Trafford side are in need of new defenders this summer. The club have been linked with moves for Napoli defender Kim Min-jae, who would be a great addition to the side. However, Bayern Munich seem to be much quicker on the uptake and they have already made an offer for him.
There is also interest in Swansea defender Joey van der Vaart, who would be a good partner for either of the current centre backs at United. Alternatively, they could look at Leighton Baines who was impressive for Everton last season and has been a regular member of the England squad.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is another player who Erik ten Hag is keen to keep at the club, despite him being behind Diogo Dalot in the pecking order. The manager was ‘impressed’ with the way he played last year, and it looks as though he will be staying at the club for next season.
Other potential targets for the Red Devils include Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni. The 23-year-old has a contract until 2022 and could be available for less than United are paying to keep their current pair of centre backs.
The club are also looking to bring in a second goalkeeper. Louis van Gaal has been disappointed with Victor Valdes’ performances so far and is looking at other options. He will be hoping to make a decision on that soon, and the Dutchman is considering moving for a goalkeeper that is younger than the existing pair.
One man who could be leaving is captain Harry Maguire, as the manager has opted to give Bruno Fernandes the armband this season. Maguire has welcomed the change, stating that it is a “good move for the team” and it will allow him to focus on his defensive duties.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Manchester United continues to be a prominent force in the football world, with fans and pundits eagerly following their every move. With ongoing developments in the club, including player transfers, managerial changes, and match results, the team’s legacy remains intact, captivating the hearts of supporters worldwide.
