Palmer continues to manage a groin injuryplaceholder image
Palmer continues to manage a groin injury | Getty Images
Man United have been linked with a blockbuster transfer for Cole Palmer, could a swap deal sweeten the move?
Manchester United’s summer recruitment saw a lot of money spent to reinforce forward areas, however, only Brian Mbeumo has really hit the ground running and proved he could become an Old Trafford favourite.
Michael Carrick has taken charge and already added extra attacking flair to United's forward line. A change of shape, change of system, and all of a sudden things are starting to click, culminating with the outstanding win over local rivals Manchester City. It was a fully deserved victory, and one that suggested that Fabrizio Romano could be correct in his report about Carrick being an outside bet for the job on a permanent basis. Whether it is Carrick or not, the next manager needs to be backed.
Man United face midfield transfer decision
The squad still has a lot of holes and a lot of gaps that need to be filled with the difference between the best player in the starting XI and the worst still too big to expect any sort of real consistency. The biggest difference that Carrick has made is in midfield by adding an extra body and changing the shape to a 4-2-3-1 formation with Bruno Fernandes no longer having to cover as many miles and has been given more attacking freedom in the final third.
Kobbie Mainoo has also returned to action and will be keen to see his minutes increase as he gets more consistent and sharper, hopefully returning to the sort of form that made him indispensable in the England midfield.
It has been a quiet January transfer window so far with only City really making any sort of impression in the market with the signings of Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi. United aren't being expected to be busy in with the players being linked to Old Trafford mainly being considered for moves in the summer. As well as looking at the full back areas, a naturally defensive midfielder to play alongside Mainoo appears to be a priority with Casemiro’s departure being announced.
United need somebody who can dictate play from a deeper position to provide support for Fernandes. Easing the burden from the Portuguese international’s shoulders might just persuade him that Manchester is the place to be rather than seeking the riches on offer in Saudi Arabia. Players like Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton have been mentioned as possible targets with Ruben Neves also available in this transfer window for as little as £20 million.
Who Man United could offer as part of Cole Palmer swap deal
Palmer is hugely experienced already despite only being 22 years old. He has carried Chelsea since signing from City but this season has seen a troublesome groin and pelvis injury stunt his progress. The priority now is getting fit and returning to the source of form it saw him a serious contender for the Ballon d’Or.
Chelsea won't be keen to sell Palmer but the Blues might be if a shock swap deal offer with Mainoo going in the opposite direction was on the table. Mainoo will play more often now that Amorim is gone although he remains one of United's most saleable assets. As a homegrown player, his sale would be all profit and help to free up space to strengthen elsewhere. If the decision was to sign someone like Elliot or Wharton and add Cole Palmer, the loss of Mainoo would be more than acceptable. Chelsea have been interested in the past, although the small matter of prising their star man away from Stamford Bridge might be a tough deal to make.
Continue Reading