Manchester United are set for another busy summer transfer window with a number of areas of the squad in need of reinforcements.
Manchester United haven’t been shy in splashing the cash in the transfer market in recent years. The Reds have been guilty of not implementing a proper recruitment strategy and have often paid way over the odds for players.
United were wrong to back Erik ten Hag in the 2024 summer transfer window, only to sack him a few months later, and while they made some solid additions during Ruben Amorim’s time at the club, there are still plenty of issues that need addressing.
There will be money to spend this summer but United may well want to utilise the free agent market as they look to work within their budget. There are a couple of players who could strengthen the squad without the need to break the bank.
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The first option available to the Reds is Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka. The 31-year-old has been at Bayern for eight years and has enjoyed a trophy-laden spell with the German giants. Goretzka has regained his spot in the national team squad and looks certain to be on the plane to the World Cup this summer.
Recently, Goretzka has been pushed to the fringes of the Bayern squad after announcing his intention to leave the club. Given an opportunity at the weekend, he scored in a 3-0 victory over Werder Bremen.
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If United were to sign Goretzka, he would not be a direct replacement for Casemiro. While the Brazil international breaks up play and wins the ball back better than anyone in the United squad, Goretzka focuses more on driving play upfield. That being said, he has experience playing as a defensive midfielder, so he has that highly desired quality of versatility that the Reds will need if they return to European football next season.
With Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba, both valued at around £100m, on United’s radar, Goretzka could be an alternative option should United want to sign a midfielder with more experience before pursuing younger targets in the years to come, once the likes of Wharton and Baleba have gained more Premier League experience.
The other free option United should be looking at is Dusan Vlahovic. His time at Juventus hasn’t gone to plan. That being said, he has scored a goal every 2.5 games for the Italian giants, having spent a lot of time on the bench.
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What will impress United is Vlahovic’s form in the Champions League in recent seasons. In the last two campaigns, the forward has scored seven goals in 13 appearances in the competition, including goals against Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund.
Vlahovic has a similar profile to Benjamin Sesko but at 26 has a bit more experience. Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee will likely both leave in the summer, so bringing in a player who can provide competition for Sesko is essential.
United could lose a lot of experience in the dressing room this summer and so two players who have played at the top and wouldn’t command a transfer fee could look very attractive.