Man Utd need TEN new players – what should their transfer priorities be?
Robin Bairner
- 20 Apr 2022 08:53 BST
- 3 min read
Manchester United suffered a 4-0 Premier League loss to Liverpool on Tuesday, which served as a stark reminder of how far back from the leading clubs they are.
The Red Devils might remain in the hunt for a Champions League place next season – they are presently sixth in the standings, three points behind Tottenham having played one game more – but they are a distant 22 points from the Anfield club.
Following the heavy loss on Merseyside, interim Man Utd boss Ralf Rangnick issued a stark warning for the present squad.
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“There could be six, seven, eight, maybe 10 new players,” he said of the summer transfer window.
With Erik ten Hag set to be named as the club’s new manager in a matter of days, his transfer targets must be rapidly being finalised ahead of what will be a busy close season.
Goalkeeper and defence
If there is a new goalkeeper to arrive at Old Trafford, it will only because Dean Henderson has elected to leave to pursue first-team football elsewhere. With David de Gea in excellent form this season, this is not an area of the team that needs prioritised.
The defence, on the other hand, is catastrophic. A new right-back is required as an upgrade to Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot, while in central defence there is a sense that at least one new player is required as the present options are not performing well. Luke Shaw will probably suffice at left-back as there are areas in more urgent need of work.
Midfield
At least two players will be required in the defensive area of the midfield in the summer. Paul Pogba will leave on a free transfer along with Nemanja Matic and stronger competition is needed for Fred and Scott McTominay, whose absence was felt at Liverpool.
More attacking options are required, too. The departure of Juan Mata at the end of his contract means that a new No.10 is needed. An additional winger is also an option with Jesse Lingard set to go, but allowing an academy prospect to step up is also an option.
Strikers
This is another area of the team that needs gutted. Cristiano Ronaldo may remain a world-class individual, but his qualities are at odds with the type of football that Ten Hag is likely to preach and may be better served leaving the club.
Edinson Cavani is another to join the mass exodus of free agents leaving Old Trafford and Mason Greenwood’s off-field issues will not quickly be resolved. With Marcus Rashford simply not good enough, at least two options are needed here.
Almost every area of the Manchester United squad needs reinforced, which underlines how tough a job Ten Hag faces. If he is to succeed, he will need patience, but that is in short supply at Old Trafford right now.
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