Manchester United have started their summer recruitment early but there is still work to do ahead of Michael Carrick’s first full season in charge
After dropping more than £80m on a pair of new midfielders, Manchester United have given themselves a platform ahead of what could be a pivotal season. However, they are unlikely to be done just yet.
Pre-season friendlies have shown Michael Carrick what he can expect from some of his players. Others will return a little later after their World Cup exertions.
The new Premier League season is less than a month away. First up for Carrick’s side is a trip to newly promoted Hull City, who have made signings of their own including former United keeper Jack Butland.
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Before then, United are expected to make some more signings but may also cash in on a few of their stars. Here, we’ve taken a look at how things might pan out.
Final piece of midfield puzzle
United have been putting together a list of midfielders who could fill that final slot, joining Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans as a new recruit in the position. Much will depend on whether the price is right, though, and they won’t be held to ransom.
Aurelien Tchouameni would be the dream signing but it depends on Real Madrid’s openness to a sale. Things have quietened down since exploratory checks early in the window but it could be one to keep an eye on.
Manu Kone and Alex Scott are among the other names being considered. Scott will have a high asking price, though, with Bournemouth still reluctant to sell if they don’t have to.
Rashford decision reached
The big question concerns what is in store for Marcus Rashford. The England international is still a United player after Barcelona let a buy option expire but he could still move.
A number of wide forwards have been linked already. Crysencio Summerville now looks set to move overseas, though, while there’s not been a ton of concrete noise of late when it comes to other targets.
This is largely down to the Rashford situation. If the 28-year-old ends up staying put, there’s almost certain to be no new senior addition in his position.
£50m raised for reinforcements
While there are question marks over what comes next for Rashford, we’ve got a better idea of some other potential exits. Among them is Joshua Zirkzee, who could fetch a decent sum if a suitable buyer steps up – though perhaps not quite as much as the £35m United paid Bologna.
Two of United’s backup goalkeepers also look set to leave. Altay Bayindir is expected to return to Turkey while Radek Vitek has already expressed a desire for regular first-team football and that means playing away from Old Trafford.
There are some others, including Toby Collyer, where a decision has not yet been made. However, a series of sales could potentially raise as much as £50million even without a departure for Rashford.
Those funds could allow Carrick to add another striker to the squad. This would ideally be someone comfortable not being a starter, with Benjamin Sesko continuing to lead the line this term.
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