It was clear to see that Manchester United were not up to scratch when they took on Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday August 7. In what would prove to be a disappointing welcome to the Premier League for new United boss Erik ten Hag, fans of the Red Devils were able to see some glaringly obvious holes within their team's setup.
It has been a rather tumultuous summer for the English club, with seemingly no one having any real idea as to what has been going on. Talismanic striker Cristiano Ronaldo is searching for UEFA Champions League football, while the proposed move for Dutchman Frenkie de Jong has been at an impasse for some time.
With the departure of nine players, most notably Frenchman Paul Pogba, United are a little light on the bone heading into the new season. It has been clear what Ten Hag has been trying to address with the arrivals of centre-back Lisandro Martinez, left-back Tyrell Malacia, and midfielder Christian Eriksen.
However, after watching his side be picked apart by The Seagulls, we have decided to summarise who and what United need to bring in this summer.
There will be three potential solutions mentioned for each position; a 'dream' signing, a realistic signing and an in-house replacement. Note, a 'dream' signing is one that remains completely unrealistic for this summer, but could fall true in later years.
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A defensive midfielder
For what seems like the umpteenth summer in a row, United still need to address the issue of defensive midfield. Academy graduate Scott McTominay and Brazilian Fred have been serviceable at best and certainly aren't good enough for United.
McTominay, in particular, had a terrible game against Brighton. The Scotsman completed only eight passes in the first-half, whilst also being lucky to escape a red card following his collision with Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo. Caicedo, who had a fantastic game, was on the verge of joining United in 2021, incidentally.
Here are three options for United to finally solve their midfield woes:
- Dream: Declan Rice
West Ham United captain Declan Rice has been on the radar of the Premier League's top clubs for sometime now. The Englishman has been an integral part of The Hammers success in recent years, specifically their UEFA Europa League semi-final run last season.
According to football data website fbref.com, Rice ranks in the top five percent for pass completion rate amongst defensive midfielders, alongside the top 10% of progressive carries. These statistics suggest how much of an important role Rice can play in starting attacks from deep, something that McTominay was attempting against Brighton to little success.
Unfortunately for United, they would be facing stiff competition from the likes of Chelsea, while West Ham wouldn't want to sell cheap, asking for as much as £150million as recently as this summer.
- Realistic: Ruben Neves
It is worth noting that this pick would've been PSV Eindhoven midfielder Ibrahim Sangare, had the Ivorian not signed a new contract recently.
However, Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Ruben Neves would certainly still be a top pick. He is Premier League proven, and still young at just 25-years old. Neves has an eye for goal, alongside a magnificent passing range. This is backed up by the fact that the midfielder is in the top 23% for progressive passes, while also screening the back four well.
A much cheaper option than Rice, Neves seems like a sensible and realistic target for the Red Devils.
- In-House: James Garner
United academy graduate Garner has been in and around the first-team for a few years now. The midfielder made his debut against Crystal Palace under then-boss Jose Mourinho in 2019.
It was last season where Garner really excelled, during his pivotal role in Nottingham Forest's promotion from the EFL Championship. Garner regularly looked a cut above in the second division, displaying a lovely eye for a pass.
Of course, it would be a lot to ask of a 21-year old to step into a flagging Premier League midfield, but the Englishman shows maturity beyond his years, alluring to former United great Michael Carrick. Garner is certainly an option for Ten Hag to think about.
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A 'Number 8'
Following the loss of Paul Pogba to Juventus, United are missing arguably their most creative player. The mercurial Frenchman cut a polarising figure during his second stint at Old Trafford, but there is no denying his talent.
Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen seems to have been brought in as a budget replacement, a transfer that is looking smarter and smarter by the day; especially by United's standards.
Of course, a more long-term replacement is needed, especially when losing such a key player. Here are three potential ideas:
- Dream: Frenkie de Jong
It was never going to be anyone else. The silky Dutchman has been at the top of Manchester United's wishlist all summer, but in typical United fashion, a move simply hasn't materialised.
De Jong is a fantastic midfielder. He averages just over seven progressive carries a game, while maintaining a 90% pass completion rate on around 61 passes a game. There isn't a United player who comes close to these figures. The FC Barcelona man is excellent both sides of the ball as well, recently slotting in at centre-back for Xavi's side.
Frenkie de Jong is world class. That’s the tweet 👍🏻. pic.twitter.com/9HzryMgKGK
— Sara 🦋 (@SaraFCBi) August 7, 2022
While United have an €85million fee agreed with the Catalan side, they remain ways away on personal terms. Hopefully, the Red Devils can get this one over the line, as the Dutchman would be a shrewd addition and a proper way to kickstart Erik ten Hag's era.
- Realistic: Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
Comically, United have been heavily linked with the S.S. Lazio man for what seems summers on end. The Serbian international has been courted by numerous Red Devil mangers, and for good reason.
Standing at six foot three inches tall, Milinkovic-Savic matches the build of former United midfielder Paul Pogba. He is excellent in the air, whilst also possessing a fantastic first touch. The Serb is a persistent goal-threat, notching 11 strikes in Serie A last term. He also amassed 10 assists for his teammates, highlighting his creative prowess.
Journalist Samuel Luckhurst recently broke the news that United are considering a swoop for the I Biancocelesti man in a bid worth £58million. This is a more than reasonable price for a world-class midfielder in the prime of his career.
- In-House: Zidane Iqbal/Charlie Savage
Two youngsters who impressed in pre-season find their place here. Both lads have made their full first-team debuts, appearing in United's Champions League clash vs BSC Young Boys in 2021.
Iqbal and Savage are both just 19-years old, but both show technical ability suited for Premier League football. Erik ten Hag was seemingly very impressed with both players as they were handed spots on Manchester United's pre-season tour. Excellent against Liverpool, Iqbal has also been registered in United's first team squad.
It remains to be seen how much we will see of Iqbal and Savage, but now is as good a time as any to introduce some fresh blood to the United side.
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A goalscorer
United lack goals, and that was painfully obvious against Brighton, relying on an Alexis Mac Allister own goal as a consolation prize. There appears to be little to no confidence in a below average frontline that seemed to so much promise in pre-season.
Frenchman Anthony Martial missed Sunday's game with a knock, while Marcus Rashford looks devoid of any confidence whatsoever. Wantaway forward Cristiano Ronaldo could only make the bench against The Seagulls, however, the question remains how much one can trust a player who is in search of a new challenge.
Here are some ideas of players that could be tasked with rescuing a misfiring United attack:
- Dream: Joao Felix
While there have been no concrete links to the Atletico Madrid man, Joao Felix would be a perfect addition to Erik ten Hag's system. The Portuguese man is a creative, forward-thinking attacker, who always wants to commit and run at his man.
Felix could play the role that Dusan Tadic filled for Ten Hag's old side Ajax. He is a hard-working attacker, ranking in the top eight percent of forwards when it comes to interceptions. This highlights Felix's ability to press and harry defenders, something he documented well in United's Champions League last-16 knockout clash with Atletico.
Unfortunately, Felix would be expensive, with Los Colchoneros wanting to recoup a fair chunk of the £115million they spent on him in 2019.
- Realistic: Sasa Kalajdzic
It appears VFB Stuttgart's Sasa Kalajdzic is the Red Devils' alternative to RB Leipzig bound Benjamin Šeško. For good reason too, as the Austrian helped himself to six goals in the Bundesliga, from just 13 starts last term.
The 25-year old stands at six foot six inches, and would perhaps provide a similar dynamic to Sebastian Haller, who Ten Hag had with him at Ajax. It was a tactic that worked well for the Ivorian as he notched 21 goals in the Eredivisie last year. Expectedly Kalajdzic is exceptional in the air, winning almost six aerial duels per 90 minutes. The Stuttgart man uses his height and strength to great effect when jumping with defenders.
The Austrian would be available at a cheaper price than other mentioned targets, with transfermarkt.net valuing him at just £22.5million.
- In-House: Nobody
There is nobody at Manchester United currently good enough to lead the line long-term.
Cristiano Ronaldo had an excellent homecoming to the Premier League, banging in 18 goals. But, at 37-years old, is not what United need right now. Alongside him, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are too inconsistent to rely on for a 38-game season, also.
There is a case for Argentinian wonderkid Alejandro Garnacho, but he is too raw of a player to fix such an urgent problem. This remains an issue that has to be fixed out of house for United.
From watching United against Brighton, it is clear that they need more than these three roles covered. These are simply the most important. Goalkeeper is one in which movement should be expected within the next year. Spaniard David de Gea does not suit Ten Hag's system, but he is more useful for one season than the aforementioned players.
Rome wasn't built in a day, but there is a long way to go yet for Ten Hag's Red Devils.