Manchester United are not certain to land a third midfielder after Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans this summer, according to The Athletic.
The Red Devils had a bright start to the transfer window. They recruited Santos and Tielemans in quick succession to reinforce their midfield.
United have been widely fancied to pursue a third midfield signing in recent weeks, but The Athletic claim that their priorities have recently changed.
It is now not certain that another player arrives to reinforce the central midfield, given Mason Mount’s quality displays from a deeper role in pre-season.
United already have four options in Tielemans, Santos, Mount and Kobbie Mainoo for two spots, and may not want another solution in the coming weeks.
Instead, the funds could be spent on other positions, with a left-back being a prime consideration.
Mainoo had a brilliant second half to the campaign with United last term, having initially struggled for playing time under former manager Ruben Amorim.
Under manager Michael Carrick, the England international was almost ever-present as the number eight, and he went on to make England’s World Cup squad.
On paper, Mainoo should be the first name in the starting XI, but Mount could get the nod ahead of him at the start of the season, given he has yet to return for pre-season training.
Meanwhile, Santos and Tielemans could be vying for the number six role. Santos has featured throughout pre-season, and he could line up alongside Mount in the season opener.
With four solid central midfield options, United may feel the funds could be better spent elsewhere, given Bruno Fernandes can also operate from a deeper position if required.
With Marcus Rashford poised to stay and compete with Matheus Cunha and Patrick Dorgu for the left-wing role, the club should focus on landing a new left-back instead.
Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall has been a top target, but a deal looks highly unlikely with the Magpies expected to sanction the high-profile exit of Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal.
The Tyneside outfit have already sold Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon, and may not entertain another big-name transfer after the departure of Guimaraes to the Gunners.
Hence, United may need to look elsewhere. If the club are aiming for an experienced left-back, Fulham’s Antonee Robinson could emerge as a possible target this month.
The 28-year-old would be a good addition due to his attacking traits. He likes to make overlapping runs to link up play and could be a handy deputy for the injury-prone Luke Shaw.
The USA international is also better defensively than Dorgu, who is now considered a winger by United. Robison was valued at £25 million back in March, but the fee could be higher now with the inflated nature of the transfer market. It could take £30-35m to prise him away.