Manchester United had a turbulent 2023-24 campaign. The Red Devils had a lot of injuries, underwhelming performances from players and a disastrous campaign that was only made better by the FA Cup win over Manchester City at Wembley.
With the season done and dusted now, attention is on the transfer market where a lot is expected to happen for the Old Trafford outfit.
A plethora of exits have already been confirmed, and while more are still expected to happen in the coming weeks, this article aims to address some areas the club needs to focus on if they want to challenge for honours next season.
Big summer plans for Erik Ten Hag and Manchester United
United manager Erik Ten Hag believes Manchester United require additional attacking options and has expressed his intention to tackle this concern in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Although it is still not certain whether he will be in charge at Old Trafford next season, he has made an important point.
“It would help,” Ten Hag told Sky Sports about signing a new striker. “As I always had in this plan we constructed, we should have had enough goals.
“You count on goals from Rashy, last year he scored 30. You count on goals from Martial, and in my first season, he played very well. In important games, he had a high impact on our performances.
“And bringing in a goalscorer like Rasmus Hojlund should have been enough goals.
“You need two strikers in our league or our competitions, you need more options. You need double positioning in every position. In some, we didn’t have the choices this season, like the striker and the full-back. That hurts the results.”
Ten Hag added: “You couldn’t expect this [issues this season], but you have to deal with it.
“This business is about results and many only see the results, but you have to also see what’s underneath. I see that and I see the potential, the direction, so I’m positive in the way we want to go and we will be successful.”
Massive clear-out could hit Manchester United
Following the takeover by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a lot of fans and football observers expect a revolution in terms of playing personnel at the club. In a seismic shake-up at Manchester United, a staggering 12 first-team players could depart Old Trafford according to transfer reports.
United’s focus on selling is set to match their emphasis on buying this summer. With profitability and sustainability regulations in play, outgoing transfers are imperative. Historically, United have struggled as sellers since the Sir Alex Ferguson era, highlighting the need for them to boost revenue through successful sales. The club hierarchy will also be hoping there is an increase in the sale of Manchester United tickets.
The Red Devils will not play in the Champions League next season but will be in the Europa League courtesy of their win over Manchester City in the FA Cup Final. That result could have bought Ten Hag some time at the club for now.
Meanwhile, contracts for Tom Heaton, Anthony Martial, Raphael Varane, and Johnny Evans are some of the names confirmed to leave the club. Mason Greenwood is also another player whose future is said to be elsewhere.
In all of this, it is difficult to see where the income will come from as most of these departures will not command a good amount of money.
United should be smart in the transfer market
Manchester United have done a lot of bad transfers in the past and this is a time for them to be smart in their dealings. Young and cheap talents should be the focus if they want to build appropriately.
With that said, Andre Onana is set to remain United’s first-choice goalkeeper. He joined the club from Inter Milan less than a year ago and has improved as his debut season in England has unfolded. Captain Bruno Fernandes is also another untouchable in the squad at the moment, while Kobbie Mainoo has been a revelation in midfield.
United will need at least a new centre-back, a left-back, a midfielder, and two more players in the final third – a winger and a striker.
Varane and Evans are set to leave this summer, while Lisandro Martinez, who is regarded to be the club’s best centre-back, has been struggling with injuries for some seasons now. Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire also face uncertain futures at the club as Manchester United plan to overhaul the squad. Manchester United have been linked with the likes of Tosin Adarabioyo (Fulham), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), and Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton). Outside of England, Jean-Clair Todibo (Nice) has been also linked with a move to Old Trafford.
Another area United will need to address is the left-back position, Tyrell Malacia did not play a single minute for the club in the 2023-24 season due to mental and fitness issues. On the other hand, Luke Shaw was always away due to injuries, allowing Diogo Dalot to play more games there for the side. Luton Town’s Alfie Doughty is an option for the Red Devils. Only Newcastle United’s Kieran Trippier made more assists than him among defenders in the Premier League this season.
In midfield, Sofyan Amrabat – who came on loan from Fiorentina – is not expected to stay beyond the summer, while Casemiro could leave the club. Everton’s Amadou Onana, Monaco’s Youssouf Fofana, and Ederson (Atalanta) have been linked with a move to United. According to the Daily Mail, United scouts have also been watching the latter, and he could replace his compatriot (Casemiro) at Old Trafford.
In attack, Anthony Martial will not be at the club next season, while there are uncertainties surrounding Antony and Jadon Sancho – who spent the second half of the season at Borussia Dortmund. The Red Devils need new additions to the forward line. Serhou Guirassy, who scored 28 goals in 28 Bundesliga games for Stuttgart this season, is a viable option. The striker is reported to have a £15m release clause and could be a realistic option for Ten Hag’s side. Jonathan David (Lille) is another option but he won’t cost less than £40m despite having just a year left on his contract.
Under Ten Hag’s leadership, United has already poured over £400 million into investments. Whether he’ll preside over the first transfer window of the Ratcliffe era remains uncertain.
