Manchester United are investing in youth, and also notably in defence.
Ineos have not had a lot of funds to splash in the January transfer window, yet they have been smartly working around the edges to improve the team.
To date three deals have been struck and or are on the verge of being completed…
- Diego Leon – Paraguayan teenager set to join when he turns 18, staying at Cerro Porteno until summer, medical complete
- Ayden Heaven – Arsenal teenager preparing to undergo Manchester United medical after reaching agreement
- Patrick Dorgu – Manchester United have agreed a fee with Lecce at around £31.5 million
Manchester United focusing on youth, focusing on defence
Manchester United’s strategy has not been coincidence. Ineos are investing in youth, as they did last summer with a deal for Arsenal youth striker Chido Obi, and Palace winger Samuel Lusale, and an expensive deal for Leny Yoro.
Diego Leon, 17, Ayden Heaven, 18, and Patrick Dorgu, 20, are all investments for the future. Dorgu is expected to play a role immediately.
Gone are the days where United used the transfer window to sign Alexis Sanchez, a player with no resale value, who the club had to pay to leave. All three deals are investments.
But there’s also an element of positional strategy and need being applied when it comes to Manchester United’s squad.
Left-back, wing-back specifically, is Manchester United’s biggest weakness and has been for the last 18 months. Luke Shaw is notoriously injury-prone and could now be a better fit for a three-man central defence. And Tyrell Malacia has been unable to earn a regular starting spot since his comeback.
Patrick Dorgu is an immediate fit, while Diego Leon adds even further depth. United also have England youth international Harry Amass to compete for the position.
United suddenly look stocked at the position long-term, with Ineos directing recruitment focus to smartly target the team’s biggest hole.
Ayden Heaven’s arrival plays a part in addressing the end of season departures of Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans. Unlike Harry Maguire, their deals have not been renewed and are scheduled to expire on June 30.
Along with rising star Godwill Kukonki, Manchester United have a pair of young centre-backs who can step up, if funds are directed elsewhere in the summer.
- READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfer deals for January 2025, ins, outs, loan moves, deadline date
What is next for Manchester United
Manchester United do look relatively set at centre-back, with a real combination of experience and youth, and hopefully left-back.
Focus in the summer must be in two areas, midfield and up front, there are clearly problems and upgrades required at these positions. A deal in the summer for future prospect Sekou Kone is a start – but United need more ‘ready now’ additions.
In midfield, Christian Eriksen’s contract will be allowed to expire, while Casemiro is clearly no part of Manchester United’s future, and a resolution will be found one way or another.
The striker position is also an obvious area of concern, with neither Joshua Zirkzee or Rasmus Hojlund scoring a goal in any competition since the start of December.
Upgrades are required, and in both positions, United need ready-made starters, along with future prospects, particularly up front.
But with the way Ineos have moved to address United’s urgent defensive needs, both in this window and in the summer with Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, there is confidence the recruitment staff will take the necessary action to strengthen the team in the right places.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
