Sancho and Varane in - Will Man Utd conduct any more transfer business this summer?

Martin Macdonald

• 14 Aug 2021 16:25 BST
• 4 min read

Manchester United have enjoyed one of the most positive transfer windows of any team in Europe so far after the acquisitions of Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund and Raphael Varane from Real Madrid.

Sancho has been Man Utd's primary transfer target for well over a year now, and the club recently struck a deal to sign him from Borussia Dortmund for £73 million.

Solskjaer then prioritised the recruitment of a new centre-back, and the club subsequently signed one of the most decorated players around in Varane, who won four Champions League titles during his time with Real Madrid, as well as the World Cup with France.

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The Frenchman cost a very reasonable initial fee of £34m, with add-ons expected.

They are particularly blessed with an array of options in the final third now, as in addition to Sancho they have Bruno Fernandes, Edinson Cavani, Marcus Rashford, Paul Pogba, Mason Greenwood, Anthony Martial, Amad and Daniel James.

Sancho and Varane are seen as perhaps the last two pieces of the puzzle for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with Man Utd now finally ready to get back to winning trophies - the Premier League or Champions League preferably for them.

On the opening day of the season, neither of the new boys played, but Man Utd didn't need them anyway as the Red Devils smashed Leeds 5-1, with Bruno Fernandes scoring a hat-trick and Paul Pogba remarkably recording four assists.

After the match, Solskjaer was asked whether there will be any further transfer business.

He responded: "I think anything from now is a bonus," he said on BT Sport.

"I can’t say we’re going to do more.

"You never know in football, but that would be a bonus."

What positions to Man Utd want to strengthen?

Central midfield

At the moment, Man Utd have Scott McTominay, Pogba, Fred and Nemanja Matic who can play in central midfield, but Solskjaer reportedly wants to play with just defensive-minded midfielder this season.

If that happens, and Pogba is one of the two, he'll need to do plenty of work.

McTominay or Fred could play the role, but an improvement is desired.

Eduardo Camavinga is the name most linked with a move to Old Trafford but if it is a defensive midfielder Solskjaer is after, he should look elsewhere.

The young Frenchman is one of the most exciting young players in the world, and although that positional know-how may come later in his career, at the moment he is effervescent in how he plays the game, much better let off the leash to make runs forward and utilise his athleticism.

Ruben Neves of Wolves has been linked also, but the Portuguese said recently he is looking forward to working under new boss Bruno Lage this season, so that is looking unlikely for now, even if he would fit the bill.

Another star who has been mentioned is Leon Goretzka, however the German is viewed more as a potential replacement for Paul Pogba should the Frenchman leave at the end of his contract.

The Bayern man won't make the transfer to Manchester this summer.

Right-back

Aaron Wan-Bissaka pretty much plays every match for Man Utd so cover is desired for that position.

The Englishman is a fine defender but has been criticised for his contributions in the final third, often compared to the marauding Luke Shaw on the opposite side.

Over the course of the summer, they have been negotiating with Atletico Madrid over the transfer of Kieran Trippier, who would certainly add that extra attacking dimension down the right wing.

However, Diego Simeone and the Spanish side have been playing hardball over the fee, as Man Utd attempted to bring him back to the Premier League for around £15m.

Atletico, apparently, want closer to £30m.