Manchester United’s starting XI isn’t far away from looking like one that is capable of challenging at the top end of the Premier League table.
The problem for Michael Carrick, or whoever is appointed permanently at the end of the season, is that there isn’t the depth or quality needed to sustain a challenge. If someone is injured, the replacement is rarely a player with the same type of profile due to years of mismanagement. It is the priority for United this summer, to add players who can make a difference, but also balance.
Where Man United need to strengthen in the summer
Midfield is the perfect example. Casemiro is set to leave United in the summer and Manuel Ugarte has never really settled at Old Trafford and is expected to leave, which leaves Kobbie Mainoo as the only natural pivot midfielder. Bruno Fernandes should be kept as far away from his own goal as much as possible so that he can cause damage at the other end of the park.
As well as addressing the shortage of wingers, providing Mainoo with a new partner and with someone who can rotate/back-up the starting duo is key to any aspirations that the club might have of making Champions League football a regular occurrence at Old Trafford once again a reality. Several names have been linked already, and all are of the type of calibre that should have Red Devils fans excited.
Elliot Anderson, as an England regular, won’t want to play in the Championship or a relegation battle next season whilst Adam Wharton will want to take the next step to force his way past Anderson for England. Sandro Tonali is another who wants to sample life at a huge club and United have been linked with the Italian.
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Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, the former United centre-half suggested that it is Anderson who should be the priority target, but there was another name who he wants to see arrive in the summer: “There are others in the market as well, a couple of young ones,” Ferdinand said.
“Kees Smit – I like him a lot. If you don’t know who he is, go and have a look at him, guys. Kees Smit is a player. He’s a young midfielder, he can do a bit of everything really and he’s performing to a very good standard.” Smit, like Anderson and Wharton, is looking to move to the next level. The 20-year old AZ Almaar midfielder is being courted by most of the big clubs in Europe, but he will want to play, he won’t be content with a place on the bench waiting for an opportunity.
If United sign Anderson or Wharton, the next step should be to sell Ugarte and find the next Smit, a player who wouldn’t cost over £50m and who would be content with being in the Premier League but also capable of holding their own when required. A player like Rangers’ Nicolas Raskin, who is a first pick for Belgium and long looked primed for a big move, he would also only cost in the region of £20m.