Neves has been linked with a return to the Premier League, and Man United are one of the clubs named with an interest in the former Wolves star.placeholder image
Neves has been linked with a return to the Premier League, and Man United are one of the clubs named with an interest in the former Wolves star. | Getty Images
Man United will be planning for next season already and these Bosman bargains could kick-start a period of success.
The transfer window might have shut, but now the real work begins for Jason Wilcox and his team ahead of what could be a huge summer for Man United.
Ruben Amorim had to contend with a period of unrest at the club with high earners and under-achievers moved on and if Michael Carrick gets the job on a permanent basis, he will inherit a more balanced squad in the process. There are still a few gaps though, but thanks to Jean-Marc Bosman, United might not have to spend that much money to fill them.
Pre-contract agreement deals Man United should target
Players have more power than ever before and it is becoming more and more common to see them moving for free at the end of their contracts. Those on big wages know that certain clubs, like even Real Madrid and Barcelona, can afford to pay their salary, but no the £100m transfer fee that might go with it. Even Bayern Munich had to step aside from any deal to sign Marc Guehi due to the overall cost of the transfer.
Casemiro is leaving Old Trafford and Harry Maguire has yet to put pen to paper on a new contract too which suggests that his time in Red could be coming to an end. There are a lot of high profile players approaching the end of their contracts and United could strengthen right through the starting XI, all without paying a transfer fee.
If Maguire goes, a new centre-half is a must and in terms of experience and quality Dayot Upamecano is right at the top of the list. The Bayern Munich and France defender knows what it takes to win trophies and to handle the pressure of life at one of the world’s biggest football teams and has most of Europe chasing his signature.
In midfield, there is another no-brainer. Kobbie Mainoo is a man reborn under Carrick, however, with Casemiro set to depart, he will need help. Ruben Neves has already been linked with a move to United and, on a pre-contract agreement, Wilcox could land a proven Premier League and international midfielder who can provide the perfect balance to Mainoo’s energy.
Extra fire power from the Bundesliga and Serie A
As with Neves, United could replace Rashford without breaking the bank with Borussia Dortmund’s Julian Brandt out of contract in the summer and perfect to slot into the left-hand side attacking forward role.
At 29, he has a similar profile and style of play to Rashford in terms of his running power and with more than 200 goals and assists in 500 games in Germany, his numbers speak for themselves too.
Benjamin Sesko might yet come good for United, but he needs help. The Slovenian also needs competition and, for free, few are better than Dusan Vlahovic, the Juventus battering ram who has the physicality and technical ability to lead the line for Carrick. That Vlahovic has been linked to United before suggests that his name could well be back on the radar.
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