Why Man Utd remain unable to bring in major transfer targets

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 8 Aug 2024 16:19 BST
• 4 min read

Manchester United remain in a stalemate with several transfer targets with the new season just over two weeks away.

The club have brought in Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro, but there still have not addressed the central midfield position.

Sofyan Amrabat remains with the club despite being an official player of Fiorentina. The Morrocan remains on standby if Man Utd are unable to conclude their deal for Manuel Ugarte.

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The club will have to pay Paris Saint-Germain some €60 million to acquire the player, however, and FootballTransfers understands that the Ligue 1 champions have no intention of lowering their valuation amid interest from other clubs.

But Man Utd cannot afford Ugarte until they find a buyer for Casemiro. The issue is that the Brazil international is among the Premier League's highest earners, with a salary of £350,000 a week at Old Trafford.

Erik ten Hag said at a recent press conference on Casemiro: "We need a squad, and at that time also we needed a squad and what was needed for that particular game.

"But he is a very important player. He is a leader and he can make a difference for our team. I talk in general, but it is for all the players. And no-one can play every game, it's impossible."

The club are after a No.6 to partner Kobbie Mainoo. They have Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen but their futures are uncertain. McTominay has attracted interest from Fulham but Man Utd turned down bids from the club for the Scotland international.

Meanwhile, Mason Mount has shown he is better when positioned high up the pitch.

MEN reports that under profitability and sustainability rules, the club cannot afford to have a huge squad depth. Their weekly wage bill is around £750,000.

READ MORE: Man Utd hold 'initial talks' with ANOTHER Ugarte alternative

Man Utd are selling to buy

Zirkzee and Yoro were brought in as the club were able to offload high earners Anthony Martial and Raphael Varane. There is still no developments relating to Jarrad Branthwaite and Matthijs de Ligt, simply because Victor Lindelof has not been sold.

Meanwhile, the only way for Noussair Mazraoui to come is for Aaron Wan-Bissaka to be sold, but no deal concluded with West Ham, who are now looking at Newcastle right-back Kieran Trippier.

Man Utd find themselves struggling against the tide. Yoro is now out with a long-term injury so even more pressure is on. It's a meal of their own making indeed, but rather than Ineos, it's the former regime, particularly at recruitment level, that is to blame.