Manchester United still have business to do before the end of the transfer window and may strike a deal with Premier League rivals Chelsea.
The summer transfer window has now entered its final week and Manchester United are still looking to complete deals.
Midfield appears to be the area of focus right now and Erik ten Hag can expect a few moves to go through.
Scott McTominay is set to join Napoli whilst Hannibal Mejbri’s move to Burnley is expected to be completed.
United are looking to get an incoming deal sorted though as Manuel Ugarte nears a move to Old Trafford.
A deal for the Uruguayan has been wanted all summer but United are now expected to sign the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder this week.
Jadon Sancho to Chelsea speculation
United may also face a decision on the future of Jadon Sancho.
The winger has been brought back into the United fold but hasn’t been involved against Fulham or Brighton and Hove Albion to start this season.
Sancho could be on the move as Chelsea are interested in snapping him up, potentially in a swap deal.
Ben Chilwell and Raheem Sterling are on offer to United with Chelsea deciding that both players can leave the club.
Whilst Chilwell and Sterling are household names and proven Premier League players, these are the types of moves United just can’t make.
Chilwell turns 28 in December and has already racked up injury problems in recent years, something which is unlikely to improve in his 30’s.
That is a particular problem at left back for United with Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia both spending more time on the treatment table than the pitch.
Sterling simply hasn’t impressed in a Chelsea shirt, bagging just 14 Premier League goals in 59 games and the fear is that he has already moved past his peak as he approaches 30.
Carney Chukwuemeka fits for Manchester United
United fans won’t get excited about Chilwell or Sterling arriving but if Chelsea need to pull off a swap, perhaps Carney Chukwuemeka is the man.
The 20-year-old – hailed as ‘exciting’ by Graham Potter whilst speaking to Football London – joined Chelsea from Aston Villa in 2022 but has only been given 27 first-team appearances.
Fabrizio Romano claims that Chukwuemeka is now set to leave Chelsea – and he should be a more appealing option than Chilwell and Sterling.
Chukwuemeka is primarily a number 10 but also has the versatility to play as a number eight in midfield.
A tall and rangy presence at 6ft 2in tall, Chukwuemeka has outstanding ability on the ball and has shown the talent to be a ball-carrying threat through the middle of the pitch.
Incoming midfielder Manuel Ugarte offers a defensive presence and Kobbie Mainoo’s close control and ball-carrying has certainly impressed.
Chukwuemeka offers a more dynamic attacking threat though and his ability to quickly turn defence into attack with superb dribbling ability is something United don’t really have right now.
Ineos want to develop players at Old Trafford and Chukwuemeka still has bags of potential to make him a first-team presence at United for a long time to come.
The one problem is injuries; we can’t highlight Chilwell’s problems and overlook Chukwuemeka’s.
Chukwuemeka has picked up six different injuries during his two years at Chelsea and his 2023-24 campaign was marred by injury woes.
We would be concerned about adding another injury-prone player at Old Trafford but at least time is on Chukwuemeka’s side in terms of getting to the bottom of the problems and moving past them down the line.
United have though targeted Chukwuemeka before; United eyed the midfielder in 2021 but missed out on signing him from Aston Villa.
Rather than looking at players such as Chilwell and Sterling – the type of signings which have burned United in the past in terms of big wages and little impact – United would be better off looking at a younger talent who may relish a fresh start away from Chelsea.
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