The need for reinforcements at Manchester United has been laid bare with the recent run of results as the early optimism under Ruben Amorim has given way to reality.
Ruben Amorim is clearly trying to build something and give Man Utd an identity after a long time, with the results of that change making it clear how limited some of the current players are.
Filling in the holes in the squad is an obvious priority but there are multiple positions where United do have many options but none looks a clear standout.
Thus begins the game of linking United to other players but a concrete one emerged in recent days. Now Fabrizio Romano has told the club just what they would have wanted to hear.
Fabrizio Romano on Dani Olmo transfer situation
United were recently linked to Dani Olmo and the Spanish player’s fit as one of the two No 10s behind the striker in Amorim’s 3-4-3 couldn’t be clearer.
At the same time, Man Utd fans rightly reacted with some caution because they’ve been here before with a Barcelona player, Frenkie de Jong’s farce fresh in their minds still.
Olmo is going through something similar in Spain, with Barcelona unable to register him for the second half of the season due to their financial troubles.
Olmo remains in manager Hansi Flick’s plans, however, but a clause in his contract allows him to leave if Barcelona can’t register him for the second half of the season.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano fanned the flames, saying Olmo’s is “quite a dangerous situation” at present.
He said: “Barcelona have to register Dani Olmo for the second half of the season otherwise, in his contract, there is specific clause to leave Barcelona now, at the end of December.
Quite a dangerous situation for Olmo now at Barcelona. The player has always sent positive messages to Barcelona but always pushing to find a solution with the club.”
Romano added that Barcelona have till next week to find a solution and while there’s optimism something can be done, their financial situation makes Olmo an interesting one to track for alert clubs.
Dani Olmo is an opportunity
Olmo played well for Barcelona in the first half of the season and for United, the timing couldn’t be better because they enter the January window with limited flexibility.
Years of mismanagement have led the club to a point where they are perenially close to FFP and PSR limits and this January will be no different.
The focus has to be on smart loans or unique opportunities and Olmo’s unique case with Barcelona puts him in the latter category.
United would never be able to afford a player of that quality just six months after he joined Barcelona in normal circumstances so Olmo is an opportunity.
Like Randal Kolo Muani, whose PSG exit is guaranteed, it is something United should keep a close eye on for further developments and pounce if given the slightest encouragement.
At the same time, they shouldn’t go to the other extreme and become obsessed like they did with De Jong but that was different management so it’s not likely.
One club’s dangerous situation is another club’s opportunity.
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