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Time served: 6 months. | Getty Images
Man Utd have a lot of work to do this summer but could an audacious swap deal kill two birds with one stone?
Manchester United looked to be starting the transfer window quickly until things slowed down and now appear to have ground almost to a halt.
Ruben Amorim still needs quality in defence as well as a new No.9 with Hugo Ekitike and Viktor Gyokeres seemingly the most likely options for the key role of leading the line, if other teams can be kept at bay. Not being in the Champions League could prove costly by the time that the transfer window shuts.
The swap deal Man Utd could offer to get Marcus Rashford off the books
Another area of the park that needs quality is the midfield, there has been a lack of control and someone to dovetail between players like Bruno Fernandez and Manuel Ugarte, two good players, however, the balance just isn’t right so far.
The big problem for United is moving players out though, but there could be a way for a big earner to be removed off the wage bill and for Amorim to get his midfield answer all in one fell swoop.
In return for Rashford, United would be immediately stronger if they could add Joelinton to their engine room. A player who was once derided, but who is now worshipped by the Toon faithful due to his all-action style.
The Brazil international is exactly the type of player that United need in terms of physicality and style of play. The link between a defensive midfielder and one who is more capable of breaking defences down. Joelinton’s biggest strength being his athleticism which, added to his never-say-die mentality, makes him a manager’s dream.
A straight swap might be out of the question, however, Newcastle could land a ready-made replacement for Alexander Isak without having to break the bank and United could strengthen too whilst spending only the equivalent transfer fee of a youth player.
Why Joelinton could be the missing link for Man Utd
When asked by GQ earlier in the season if he had made any adaptions to his training after moving from playing as a striker to a central midfielder, Joelinton said: “No, for me it's kind of the same. I always try to train hard because it's the best way to get ready for the game. It's [a case of]: train like you play, and try to do it every day. Of course some things change – the way I run, where I go to attack on the pitch. So, I have to run back more. But nothing has changed in my training.
“I have many people that help me on a daily base, including fitness coaches, not only with football but life in general. When things are going well in your life outside, the work is going better. But of course sometimes you have a problem the team don't need to know about. You have to go and play and try to keep it apart and focus on the game. It happens, but it's part of football.”
Exactly the sort of mentality that has been missing for far too long at Manchester United.
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