Despite five injuries, Manchester United’s lineup against Fulham was strong enough to omit out two foreign wingers. Facundo Pellistri is unlikely to be picked in a United matchday party again, and plenty of supporters are hoping Jadon Sancho’s absence extends to Brighton and beyond. Erik ten Hag explained that Sancho was physically capable to play on Friday evening despite having an ear infection the previous week.
Ideally, United would add three more players. Realistically, there will only be one: a midfielder. If Pellistri and Sancho both leave, United will have first- and second-choice wingers on each flank. Similarly, Hannibal Mejbri is a peripheral player; Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount are ahead of him in the No.10 position. Victor Lindelof has played two halves of football since reporting for pre-season six weeks ago, with no training. He was nursing a “niggle” and went off against Liverpool as a “precaution”. He has been on crutches. That is a miserable niggle. Lindelof, 30, is virtually unable to be sold He missed 21 games the previous season due to injury, has started this season injured, and is out of contract next year. those who take will not be queuing around the block. In his absence, United will have at least four veteran centre halves. The forced absences of Noussair the Algerian striker and Harry Maguire (both working on their fitness) in the 81st minute may have disrupted the defence against Fulham. Matthijs de Ligt and Jonny Evans kept United’s shop closed after Joshua Zirkzee scored. Leny Yoro will return after the clocks have been set back.
If Luke Shaw does not suffer another setback, he is expected to return after the Septemberinternationals, thus United will rely on Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot at fullback against Brighton and Liverpool. Tyrell Malacia’s comeback in early October should be gently penciled in, and United has Harry Amass as an alternative. It was clear at the start of the summer that United would not breach the £60 million barrier for a signing, and the ultimate amount for Yoro fell just short of that. For years, Manchester City took pleasure in not spending more than £60 million on a signing, and only four players (Rodri, Ruben Dias, Jack Grealish, and Josko Gvardiol) have exceeded that figure. The unifying denominator is, of course, Omar Berrada. United’s current The summer cost is £155.35 million (which involves add-ons), with an upfront payment of £139.98 million. In accordance with United sources, this is the summer of budget control and rapid market action.
McTominay, who is the sole correctly sellable asset in the middle of the field must create place for an incoming player, preferably Manuel Ugarte. United are optimistic of acquiring Ugarte, but it is considered that this is dependant on McTominay’s departure. United should not be shortchanged for an academy student and experienced Premier League player with matchwinning ability and international experience, but McTominay’s contract issue compels their hand. To earn an income this year, they will most likely have to take a hit on a player who was worth £40 million last year. McTominay contradicts United’s game plan (Ten Hag highlighted his new buzzword phrase twice during his tour stop and again at Carrington on Thursday). He is an aggressive impact individual, but not a technicians, and he may have left a year earlier if Kobbie Mainoo hadn’t hobbled off in the city of Houston 13 months before. Ten Hag emphasized the importance of quantity and quality. Toby Collyer has emerged as an alternative option in midfield, where at least five out-and-out players are required. Without Mount, United already has a quintet with an average age reduced by Mainoo and pre-season tour breakthrough Collyer. Ten Hag may also call on Fernandes, who is perhaps a superior player in the middle third than in the final. This is a season in which United must aspire for a top-four finish. There have been too many of those in the last decade (2014-15, 2019-20, 2022-23), but United have not challenged for the championship since they The last person to win it.
the Manchester United roster is still not where it needs to be, and they were never going to finish their systematic rebuild in one offseason. The two senior left backs are crocks, two of their midfielders are squealing and there is no dependable goalscorer in the forefront. Ducks has to be prepared for next summer: Evans, Lindelof, and Eriksen may be released. Maguire could be, in accordance with his quality this season; Casemiro should be easier to replace, and a succession plan at left back is required, with Shaw spending more time in the medical centre than on the training pitch at Carrington. Malacia’s employment expires in 2026, making her vulnerable. United will need a center back, a left back, and two midfielders the summer after that, Extra forwards if wayward wingers Marcus Rashford and Antony do not progress for the next nine months. Two attackers might depart this month.
