Manchester United should already be busy making plans for this summer’s transfer window.
Clubs are coming off an entire season without supporters in attendance, and as such, world record transfer fees will not be in danger.
Despite this, a busy summer of ins and outs are expected at Old Trafford.
This could end up as being one of the most transformational transfer windows at United in years, and here is a breakdown of the reasons for this to be the case.
Key assets to sell
There are huge decisions to be made regarding two of the club’s top earners, Paul Pogba and David de Gea.
Pogba has just one year left on his contract and United will need to cash in if he does not sign a new contract.
De Gea is currently the 1A to Dean Henderson’s 1B in goal. United can afford to cash in on De Gea too, and not expect a drop off in performance.
Eric Bailly also has just one year remaining on his contract, while Jesse Lingard will attract interest after his performances on loan.
By selling these four players combined, United could raise well over £100 million to add to the existing transfer kitty, while also freeing up wage space, which will already reduce with Juan Mata and Sergio Romero’s deals winding down.
Need to back Ole after last summer woes
Despite the ongoing question regarding silverware, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has done a good job considering the lack of investment last summer.
Solskjaer did not land of his first choice targets, nor did he get time to work with them before the season, with business done on deadline day.
United appear committed to Solskjaer, so now is the time to actually show him some support and back him, using some of the funds gained from potentially selling players.
None of the signings last summer tangibly improved United’s first choice XI, and that needs to change with this summer’s arrivals.
If the club cannot back the manager, then don’t expect trophies next season.
Big signings required
The loss of Paul Pogba would be huge from a commercial perspective and the impact on the dressing room.
United need a big new player, a marquee signing, who the club can build around. This could be a Jadon Sancho or Erling Haaland.
United fans don’t just crave smart and sensible additions for the future, the club needs immediate impact players who can help the club try and bridge the gap from second to first place.
Multiple positions to fix
One of the reasons this summer could be a wild ride, is that there is just so much to do.
United need a striker and a winger, plus potential cover for Marcus Rashford.
In midfield United need a true defensive midfielder, even before having to try and replace Paul Pogba.
The team needs another centre-back, and a right-back, while a back-up goalkeeper may be required to cover Dean Henderson if David de Gea is sold.
The team’s league position may suggest there are just tweaks needed, but it feels like an overhaul is required, in terms of the sheer scale of additions United need to make.
New director of football
This is a summer where we could see some creativity to balance the club’s spending, with a swap deal, or loans out with options to buy, if appropriate. United have to be smart.
New director of football John Murtough is entering his first summer in charge, and first impressions count for a lot.
Ask Ed Woodward, whose reputation has never really recovered after a disastrous 2013 summer transfer window in which Marouane Fellaini was the only arrival.
Murtough should be looking to make a statement. If the summer involves an inevitable loss of Pogba, then this should make him even more determined to fill the void created with a big name or two.
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