How Man Utd will line up with Kane, Olise and Branthwaite

Cameron Smith

11 Mar 2024 13:53 GMT
4 min read

Harry Kane, Michael Olise, Jarrad Branthwaite, Man Utd, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Manchester United are set for a mega summer of transfer activity, with the Red Devils hoping to sign Harry Kane, Michael Olise and Jarrad Branthwaite.

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FootballTransfers have exclusively reported that Olise and Branthwaite have been named as priority transfer targets by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS, while we understand that Man Utd remain very keen on Kane, who is also seen as a possible new arrival despite Rasmus Hojlund’s form.

GiveMeSport’s Dean Jones has confirmed that Man Utd will push to sign Kane this summer if the Englishman becomes available.

The former Tottenham Hotspur striker has 36 goals and 11 assists in 34 games for Bayern Munich since his move to the Allianz Arena last year, but they are 10 points behind Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga title race and their only realistic hope of winning a trophy this season comes in the Champions League.

If Erik ten Hag’s side manage to sign Kane, Olise and Branthwaite this summer, what will their starting XI look like next year?

How Man Utd could line up with Harry Kane, Michael Olise and Jarrad Branthwaite

Andre Onana endured a shaky start to life at Old Trafford, but he is settled now and deserves his number one spot under Ten Hag.

Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw will continue as the first-choice full-backs, fitness permitting, while Branthwaite could end up replacing Lisandro Martinez at the back. Both players are left-footed and it’s unlikely, although not impossible, that they will play next to each other.

Raphael Varane will be the other centre-back if he rejects interest from the Saudi Pro League.

Kobbie Mainoo has proven himself on the senior stage this term and could be a key player for Man Utd over the next decade, and his partner may well be Casemiro if a replacement isn’t signed. However, Amadou Onana is being watched and could end up joining Branthwaite at Old Trafford.

Olise will become the starting right winger, while Bruno Fernandes will continue in an advanced midfield role.

© IMAGO - Man Utd want to sign Michael Olise

Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho will battle it out for a spot on the left wing, but the latter has been in far better form this season and Ten Hag loves him so Garnacho may just win this race.

If Man Utd don’t sign Kane, then Hojlund is a more than adequate alternative, and the Denmark international has arguably done enough to prove he is ready to be the Red Devils’ long-term number nine option already.