Man Utd have FINALLY learned from Casemiro & Antony transfer errors

Cameron Smith

• 1 Apr 2024 17:13 BST
• 4 min read

Manchester United are set for a huge summer of transfer activity and the Red Devils are interested in improving their squad depth as well as their starting XI.

FootballTransfers understands that Ross Barkley and Tosin Adarabioyo are both being pursued as cheap options ahead of the summer window, with Erik ten Hag’s side eager to operate smartly in the market.

Michael Olise, Jarrad Branthwaite and Amadou Onana are all more expensive targets, as previously revealed, but Man Utd are also keen on bolstering their squad depth with relatively low-risk signings.

EXCLUSIVE: Man Utd target Barkley and Adarabioyo ahead of the summer window

Casemiro and Antony were purchased for a combined €165.7 million in 2022, yet both moves already look like mistakes.

The former is now well past his best and Real Madrid pulled off a masterclass by convincing Man Utd to pay €70.7m to sign him, while Antony wasn’t particularly prolific in the Eredivisie and has fared even worse in England.

READ MORE: Man Utd could make RADICAL Van de Beek decision after loan nightmare

Ross Barkley and Tosin Adarabioyo to Man Utd?

While targeting Barkley and Adarabioyo isn’t something that Man Utd will likely be buoyed by, it’s proof that they have embarked on a new era which will look to operate in a sensible manner regarding new signings.

Barkley has been one of the best signings in the entire Premier League this season following his move to Luton Town in 2023 and he is the perfect replacement for Christian Eriksen at Old Trafford.

The ex-Chelsea man is similar to Kobbie Mainoo in how he is able to evade pressure in his own half and carry the ball forward, and he would therefore be a smart rotator for the teenager, who shouldn’t be forced to carry Man Utd’s midfield on his shoulders.

While Adarabioyo isn’t a big-name centre-back, he is the type of smart signing that Man Utd used to pull off under Sir Alex Ferguson - think Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, both of whom were solid options during their prime.

He wouldn’t be a starter at Old Trafford, but he’s available on a free transfer and he would be the perfect squad depth option, especially if Harry Maguire is finally sold to West Ham United.

Barkley and Adarabioyo aren’t the big-name signings that Man Utd fans will be dreaming of, but they would arrive with very little downside and could be instrumental squad players for Ten Hag.