Ruben Amorim is targeting Carlos Baleba but how would he slot into the starting XI?
The flip side of the debate is that for a club that needed to overhaul a squad described by its own coach as ‘maybe the worst’ in the team’s 147-year history, three frontline signings all in the same position still leaves plenty of holes in the starting XI that now looks incredibly unbalanced, but we don’t have to wait long to find out which viewpoint is closer to reality.
Though the notion of a ‘strongest XI’ is somewhat outdated for elite football clubs nowadays, Manchester United’s failure to qualify for Europe means less squad rotation will be required so these 11 players could see more action than their other big six counterparts…
Man United’s potential goalkeeper and defence
Andre Onana and Altin Bayindir both left much to be desired last season and though both players have the potential to turn that around, backing that chance would be a huge gamble given his job will be on the line if they don’t improve.
Donnarumma’s contract expires at PSG next year and they’ve already signalled their intentions to move on from the giant Italian by signing Lucas Chevalier from Lille for a potential €55m (£47.7m), so the Red Devils are perfectly placed to snap up the two-time European champion for a bargain £26m.
Ahead of him, Leny Yoro was a standout in preseason in America and will feel like a new signing to many at Old Trafford given the first third of his debut season was wiped out by injury.
Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt, who’s somehow still only 25, set Manchester United back a combined £122.9m yet neither of them truly inspire confidence at the heart of the back three having battled for a starting spot this summer.
De Ligt has been favoured by Amorim so far but must improve from last season, and Ayden Heaven looks set to complete the defence having also impressed in America.
Luke Shaw is the other option in that position but even if he does start the season in that position it surely won’t be long before injuries open the door for Heaven.
How the Red Devils’ midfield could line up after Deadline Day
Amad Diallo (£37m), Bruno Fernandes (£47m), Carlos Baleba (£104m), Patrick Dorgu (£29.4m)
There’s a possibility that having spent all of their money at the top of the pitch this summer, Manchester United enter the season barefoot wearing an absolutely fire hat but the tattiest suit Poundland has to offer.
The new front three looks promising but they’ll struggle to do much if the Red Devils can’t win the ball in midfield, play through the opposition press and provide them with service yet their ability to do that remains questionable at best.
Signing Carlos Baleba from Brighton is therefore a necessity even if it costs nine figures, while Kobbie Mainoo may be best-suited to playing alongside him but is unlikely to depose Manchester United’s saviour from last season.
Meanwhile if Amad Diallo and Patrick Dorgu can stay fit this season they should be much closer to Amorim’s required profile or wing-backs. With the two number 10s staying more central, the width will be available for Amad and Dorgu to wreak havoc against opposing full-backs and fill out a complete United attacking line.
Manchester United’s potential potential new-look attack
Bryan Mbeumo (£71m), Benjamin Sesko (£73.7m), Mattheus Cunha (£62.5m)
The battle between this trio and Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Martinelli will be one of the talking points of the Premier League’s opening day, and with good reason.
Four of that six represent spending this summer greater than the GDPs of some Pacific island nations, and on paper the Red Devils may even have the stronger set of players.
Mbeumo and Cunha should be perfect for attacking the half-space in the final third and providing Sesko with the kinds of chances that Gyokeres used to gobble up under Amorim, and represent lethal goal threats themselves.
And all three are capable of hitting the ball so it stays hit, in the manner of a former Old Trafford legend, so the goal of the month competitions should at least be interesting.
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