Table of Contents
All Quiet on the Transfer front
Two weeks since Manchester United finished their season and the club has been very quiet on the transfer front.
It’s clear from pundits that the Reds need more depth next season in order to win a trophy for the first time since 2017.
Jadon Sancho, Ousamane Dembele, and Raúl Jiménez are all linked to Old Trafford but none have signed.
Sending a message
Two seasons of 66 points in the EPL is not exactly earth shattering for a club like this, however Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has succeeded where past managers couldn’t.
This season his team got in the top 3 for only the second time since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.
Despite not winning any trophies they didn’t lose a match in the Premier League since January 22.
Based off what the Manager said at the end of the season it seems he’s on board with the club signing more players.
“The club knows what I feel we need, but that’s up to the club to go and sort that out,” says Solskjaer.
Prior Precedents
If you look at the success the team saw in 2020 you can see why many are calling for the club to complete some transfers.
Some of the biggest difference makers this past season were newcomers that joined before or during the 2019/20 season.
Harry Maguire was signed in August of 2019 for a record fee for a defender of around £80 million. By January the 27-year-old was the club’s captain.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka transferred last summer and was a key component to the squad at right-back.
One of the biggest difference makers this past season was Bruno Fernandes who the Reds bought in January for a fee just shy of £ 50 million.
By seasons end he’d won Premier League Player of the Month and Goal of the Month.
He’s the first player to win both awards concurrently in Premier League history.
What United’s opponents have done
The Reds may not be active on the transfer market yet but their biggest rivals certainly have been.
Chelsea signed German striker Timo Werner back in June and also locked up Hakim Ziyech.
Manchester City has signed Pablo Moreno from Juventus along with versatile defender/midfielder Nathan Aké from Bournemouth.
What do the Reds need?
There’s no doubt the trio of Martial, Greenwood and Rashford are a formidable force up front.
However with the Champions League, a short off-season, the FA and Carabao Cup, the starters will have to rest.
There’s a need to sign a striker with a proven track record to take some of the pressure off the big 3.
Improving the central-defence might help the club. Maguire and Wan-Bissaka are solid but the other positions are a question mark.
Neither Victor Lindelöf nor Eric Bailly could impress enough to earn a permanent spot at centre-back.
Luke Shaw at times was solid at left-back, however he lacks experience at only 19 years of age.
Where will they go?
Despite a grueling schedule, lineup changes and transfers Man U still finished third.
With a lot of youngsters in the group Solskjaer’s done his part in getting the team back to Europe.
The question now is what’s the best move for Ed Woodward, Man United’s Chief Executive to improve the squad?
Is he happy with where the club is now?
Does he dream of EPL and European glory?
Many questions remain for the Reds as they get set for pre-season training next month. (JSL)
