Managing Man United – Victor Osimhen signed, Matthijs de Ligt deal, major star sold

Managing Man United – Victor Osimhen signed, Matthijs de Ligt deal, major star sold

Manchester United’s optimism going into the new season has been slightly dented after injuries to Leny Yoro and Rasmus Hojlund last weekend.

Yoro in particular has drawn plenty of excitement from United supporters with his signing seen as a massive coup after strong Real Madrid. United have signed one of Europe’s most promising defenders with his arrival resulting in jealous rival fans putting together compilations on social media of his ‘mistakes’ at Lille.

The club will be concerned although that injury issues have occurred so soon after last season’s problems. Many will be questioning whether more could be done to prevent what could derail Erik ten Hag’s plans ahead of a hugely significant start to the Premier League season for United’s manager.

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The Reds return to competitive action against Fulham on August 16, nearly a week after a Wembley re-match against Manchester City in the Community Shield. Below, MEN Sport you have taken a look at the priorities which face United and Ten Hag before the end of the transfer window…

Sign of Light

The injury to Yoro has made United’s next priority in the transfer window clear. Matthijs de Ligt must be signed before the season starts, otherwise, Ten Hag’s team will have a weakness in central defense at a time when they desperately need a good start.

Many will point to the fact that De Ligt joining would just be a lazy transfer with United signing another player Ten Hag has previously worked with. But the Bayern Munich defender was previously regarded as one of Europe’s most promising centre-backs and aged 24, he still has plenty of time to improve.

De Ligt’s experience of having played for some of Europe’s biggest clubs in Bayern and Juventus will also put him in good stead, considering the pressure of playing for United.

Seal Ugarte deal

Defensive midfield is another priority position. United cannot afford to start the season with an aging and injury-prone Casemiro again.

Many of the club’s problems in 2023/24 stemmed from the large gaps between midfield and defense with a laboring Casemiro struggling to protect United’s exposed back four. PSG’s Manuel Ugarte has all the qualities United need with his strong mentality displayed at this year’s Copa America.

Getting a deal done for the Uruguayan could be the club’s most important signing of the summer.

Hijack Osimhen loan

Chelsea are reportedly looking to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen on loan. It’s a deal which United should seriously consider if they want to turbo-boost their revival next season.

The club may have already signed a striker in Joshua Zirkzee but the Dutchman has scored just 14 goals in 58 appearances across all competitions. Osimhen meanwhile is a goalscoring machine having netted 76 times in 133 appearances.

United, like all clubs in the Premier League, must be mindful of the league’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and although Osimhen’s wages could be a problem, a loan deal should take some of the costs away. It’s a no-brainer.

Sell ​​Jadon Sancho

It’s hard to see any way that Jadon Sancho redeems himself at United. The 24-year-old has never been able to put together a consistent run during his three years at Old Trafford.

It should also be noted that the forward hardly enjoyed an outstanding spell on loan at Borussia Dortmund last season. He may have enjoyed the occasional impressive moment during his four-month loan spell but three goals and two assists across all competitions is hardly earth-shattering.

The Man City academy graduate also never turned up when it mattered in the Champions League final against Real Madrid. Sancho is not worth the hassle and if United can get a decent fee, they need to move him on.