Manchester United’s summer plans are taking shape and a surprise position in need of reinforcing is emerging in initial planning.
With four competitions secured next season, Man Utd need to do more than just strengthen their first team.
A gaping hole in central midfield will be addressed, so that’s not a surprise, but beyond that, the finer edges of the squad need to be tuned.
In that fine-tuning, a surprise position of importance has emerged, which will have ramifications for youngsters at the club.
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Man Utd aiming to make four signings in the summer
United’s needs in the summer will depend on how many exits they also manage to engineer, but broadly, two central midfielders are non-negotiable.
That’s because they already needed one last year but couldn’t make it happen, and Casemiro is also set to leave at the end of this season.
Kobbie Mainoo’s re-emergence soothes that position somewhat, but it’s balanced out by Manuel Ugarte being close to the exit door.
The Athletic reports that United consider two CMs as non-negotiables, and beyond that, a left-back and an ‘experienced striker’ are at the top of the agenda.
These are the four signings the club will try and make this summer, three of which make perfect sense.
The two CMs are self-explanatory, while the left-back is also needed to help share Luke Shaw’s load. Harry Amass can help, but Shaw’s contract expires next summer.
The striker question, however, is a surprising one, not just because Benjamin Sesko is the long-term investment also paying immediate results, but also because United have a plethora of interesting options at Carrington.
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United wanting an experienced striker instead of a marquee one makes the choice somewhat more palatable, but with a condition.
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A 27-year-old playing in a top-five league is an experienced striker, and a 33-year-old doing the same falls in that boat as well.
United should ideally look for the latter as a steady backup hand instead of someone who can still go at that position for half a decade.
That’s because United have Chido Obi, who has turned 18, and will warrant first-team minutes next season, and players like Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and JJ Gabriel can play as strikers.
Carrington needs to be trusted to supply players to the first team instead of blocking their pathway with short-term fixes.
Staying ready for four competitions needs strengthening, but United are in a unique position where they won’t be expected to compete for titles in all four.
It’s the ideal season to get a core of youngsters ready for contention the season after the next.
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