With two weeks still remaining in the transfer window, Manchester United could still say goodbye to a few more players as an overdue rebuild goes into overdrive.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka brought an end to five years at Old Trafford this week.
The popular right-back joined West Ham while opening up space for Noussair Mazraoui to arrive from Bayern Munich alongside Matthijs de Ligt.
Manchester United would not stand in the way of Christian Eriksen or Victor Lindelof either should offers arrive between now and the start of September, while the sale of Scott McTominay could tip over the first domino which ends with Manuel Ugarte posing in that famous red shirt.
According to The Athletic, Napoli, Bournemouth and Everton have joined the race for the Scotland international.
McTominay in a Sean Dyche team. A fearsome thought indeed; his running power, athleticism, height, and physicality meaning he ticks just about every box available when it comes to the ideal Dyche midfielder.
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Scott McTominay could still leave Manchester United
Fulham remain in the race too, despite seeing a second bid worth £23 million turned down by Man United. The Red Devils want closer to £30 million.
And their interest in the Carrington graduate adds an intriguing subplot to Friday’s Premier League opener between Fulham and Man United at Old Trafford, especially if McTominay has a part to play.
In his pre-match press conference, Silva appeared to keep the door open to McTominay while confirming that Fulham are prioritising a new midfielder in the final days of the transfer window.
“We are going to sign a player,” Silva says, via Beanyman Sports on YouTube. “We are pleased that we have Sasa Lukic and Harrison Reed who can play in that position.
“But yes, we are going to sign a player in that position.”
In an ideal world, Fulham’s business would be done already. But, try as they might, a Joao Palhinha-shaped void still exists in the heart of Marco Silva’s engine room.
McTominay would not be a like-for-like replacement. But with Lukic capable of making the number six role his own, Man United’s number 39 could thrive in a box-to-box role with the freedom to burst into the penalty area.
Fulham still keen after losing Joao Palhinha to Bayern Munich
“I would prefer to have the players that we need during pre-season,” Silva adds. “But the Premier League is tough on and off the pitch. And, sometimes, we have to be patient.
The most important thing is that we know what we want and what we need. The board are pushing, working hard and hopefully they can sign the players we need and we are working all together to achieve it.”
Fabrizio Romano, via his official YouTube channel, provided an update on Man United’s own pursuit of a midfielder on Wednesday.
He claims that Paris Saint-Germain enforcer Manuel Ugarte is still desperate to sign on the dotted line. He is ‘in love’ with the idea of following in the footsteps of fellow Uruguayan’s Facundo Pellistri and Diego Forlan.
But if a deal is to happen, either PSG must reduce their £50 million demands, or Man United must free up funds by selling one of their own midfielders.
Amid the lack of interest in Casemiro and the relative radio silence surrounding Eriksen, McTominay could take on the role of a sacrificial lamb served up to the Profit and Sustainability gods.
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