Manchester United are in a mess.
Even their coach described them as “maybe the worst team in the club’s history”. Ruben Amorim attempted to backtrack on that today and place the blame on his own performance but his words on Sunday after the defeat to Brighton were unequivocal.
They sit 13th in the Premier League table and that is not a false position. The squad lacks quality in every area. The blame for that cannot be laid at any one person’s door – the gradual slide towards mediocrity started several years ago – but the current set-up must take its share.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos group took ownership of on-field matters when they bought a 27.7 per cent stake in United in December 2023.
Ratcliffe felt there was a lack of football knowledge within the club’s structure and went about bringing in the likes of Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox while previous head coach Erik ten Hag was given a new contract after an undignified search for a replacement.
A terrible summer window in 2024
Between them, they sanctioned the signings of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui for a combined £60million from Bayern Munich, Leny Yoro from Lille for £52m, Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna for £36.5m and Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain for £42m.
Five players for over £190m and, with the exception of perhaps Yoro who has suffered with injuries and clearly has potential, it seems to have been money wasted.
Not one of them would get in Liverpool’s team and not one of them would get in Arsenal’s team. It’s debatable how many would get in United’s best XI when everyone was fit.
So, what now? Well, only Wilcox remains from the trio that oversaw the summer rebuild which is a positive and the main issue the club will have is trying to rid the squad of the deadwood, most of whom are on big wages.
It is unlikely United have much wiggle room financially but here we have identified five players we feel could make a difference.
1. Victor OsimhenRasmus Hojlulnd continues to look out of his depth. He is clearly not an out and out number nine, evidenced by his record of two goals in 17 Premier League appearances this season.Napoli striker Osimhen almost joined Chelsea last summer but, with that move breaking down at the last minute, he was shipped off on loan to Galatasaray for 2024-25.Napoli are reportedly interested in United winger Alejandro Garnacho and some form of swap deal would make sense for all parties.Osimhen is reported to have a break clause in his loan deal, meaning a January move, although complicated, is doable.
2. Nuno MendesUnited have struggled all season on the left-side of defence. Amorim plays a 3-4-3, a system that Mendes would thrive in given his natural athleticism.The Portugal international is out of contract in 18 months’ time and would likely jump at the chance of moving to Old Trafford and a reunion with Amorim.May be a deal for the summer.
3. Guillaume RestesUnited need a new goalkeeper with Andre Onana’s performances becoming more erratic by the week. Restes is one that would need time to settle given he is just 19 but the Toulouse stopper is already regarded as the best young goalkeeper in France. He won’t be playing in Ligue 1 for much longer.If the price is right, a deal that could be done in this window.
4. Arda GulerThe Turkey star has failed to nail down a place at Real Madrid and coach Carlo Ancelotti appears unconvinced by the 19-year-old. Yet anyone who watched him play for his country at Euro 2024 would have been impressed. It’s unlikely Madrid will sell a player with so much potential but an 18-month loan move to Milan has been mooted. United need to get in quick and persuade him to try his luck in England.There is a deal to be done in January.
5. Joshua KimmichKimmich’s deal at Bayern Munich is up in the summer and his future remains uncertain. The smart money is on him remaining at the Allianz Arena but he would be a perfect fit at Old Trafford. He can play in numerous positions but, perhaps more importantly, he would bring a winning mentality sorely lacking.Given his contract status, United could speak to Kimmich now, although he will almost certainly remain in Germany until the end of the season.
