Ah, Old Trafford. As a Red Devil, it gives me immense joy to be saying this. After six long, cruel years, we’re finally back on track. At least, seemingly so. Yes, it could all go wrong. Yes, this is probably another fake dawn. We’re probably getting ahead of ourselves and none of this is true. Yet, somewhere, deep down, this feels right. The Reds have shown a strange kind of backing towardd Ole in the face of adversity. Old Trafford was emptier than before as Jay Rodriguez beat De Gea at his near post and won it for Sean Dyche’s men. We, the fans, were heartbroken. But heartbreak was no stranger in uptown Manchester. Then, we travelled to a muddy, untidy Tranmere. Few of us were worrying. For a defeat to a team languishing at the bottom of the pile in League Two would all but keep Ole as manager. And the FA Cup could be deceptive. It had saved Fergie’s job. Would it be as kind to Ole? It was. And in some style, too. United hasn’t lost a match ever since. Bruno came and like Roy, ordered the lads around, getting work done. And as Solskjaer proudly looked at the VIP box after McTominay slotted it home, arms aloft, smiling at Sir Alex, we couldn’t help but shed a tear. Because that’s how it used to be. That’s how it’s meant to be. But I’ll leave Solskjaer’s genius for another article. As plans for the Premier League’s return is cleared by Boris Johnson’s office, there are probably a few anxious faces up at The Cliff as well. Frantically sketching plans for the remainder of the season and planning transfers. So let’s get straight into what this is about. United’s do(s) and don’t(s) for the upcoming transfer window.
I’ve tried to avoid the usual stories surrounding Manchester’s Reds. Will Sancho come? Looked likely until Ed Woodward, being Ed Woodward came out and said mega transfers are foolish and they tend to overlook the realities of the post-pandemic market. I don’t necessarily disagree. Yet, this could well be a hoax. For all I know, united are really in a position to exploit the transfer market. Grealish? Maddison? None of them make sense, to be honest. Unless Pogba leaves, that is. In that case, Bruno drops deeper and the incoming transfer fills the No.10 void. I was reading about a role on the right for Grealish which is more of a wide playmaker than a flashy winger. It could go horribly wrong and I believe Ole wouldn’t be as speculative. All his transfers have walked straight into the team and I expect this summer’s to be no different.
I’ve also read reports suggesting that United will enter the market for a solid centre-back. It doesn’t make sense to me. Lindelof, Bailly have both been decent with the latter putting in an absolute shift at Stamford Bridge. Maguire has been exceptional and Tuanzebe has shown great promise. I’d rule out a big money move but would suggest Norwich’s Ben Godfrey. Young, fast, lethal. Mohammed Salisu is another name that’s worth paying attention to but they will have to fend off some serious interest from Los Blancos. Moving onto Declan Rice. News from west London suggests he won’t come cheaper than $70m. That’s too much and totally not worth, right? So you can probably expect this one to go through because, well, United. Although, in a scenario where Pogba has left United and the board won’t renew Matic’s contract, we’ll be left wishing we had a holding midfielder and Rice won’t seem all that bad then but most certainly not at that price. Partey to United deserves more attention (following a certain IG story poll). It’d make more sense than a Bayern or an Arsenal (this is entirely subject to champions league qualification, I get a feeling).
Before proceeding further, I’d just like to clarify that there’s absolutely no way that United are going to move for Harry Kane. Not this summer, not for that money. Yes, there’s an entire history of Tottenham’s number nine(s) moving to Manchester but this one’s off the table. At least momentarily. Ighalo shall be signed, a product of United’s incapabilities in the transfer market whom we’re loving. That leaves me with two major talking points. Sancho’s alternatives and a few names which aren’t drawing as much media interest.
Sancho has a contract at Dortmund and United will have to pay a premium to waive off interest from like ten other clubs. Alternatives on the right wing: Federico Chiesa who is set to be available in the summer and Fiorentina are reportedly unwilling to sell him to Juve. Is he worth the risk? Probably. Pacey, young, visionary: that’s about everything Solskjaer would’ve asked for. Chengiz Under, of Roma who I’ve seen very little of, in real life but if Football Manager is anything to go by, phew. Finally, Ismalia Sarr. A National hero. He doesn’t require much of a description but his exploits suggest that he’s ready to step up to a bigger challenge and United have the platform just about ready.
Few surprise packages? Ryan Gravenberch of Ajax. Their youngest ever player. A feat he achieved replacing Clarence Seedorf. Dynamic, line-breaking. Eredevise’s Paul Pogba. Worth the risk. Sandro Tonali of Brescia, if a holding midfielder is on the wishlist. Florian Thauvin, the man who a few of you will remember from his dismal spell at Newcastle but he has taken the League-1 by storm ever since and has become a treat on the right. Another Jadon Sancho alternative. Ryan Cherki, Houssem Auour, Nebil Fekir for midfiled if Pogba leaves and Alex Telles as a left-back cover for Shaw and young Brandon. That’s about it.
United have a make-or-break transfer window ahead of them. City won’t be attracting as many players if their ban is upheld, Klopp has a set team and won’t want to disrupt the balance, Chelsea have an entirely different wishlist and Arsenal and Tottenham are lol. So for once Ed Woodward, don’t screw this up. I’ll be the first guy waiting with flares outside your house, otherwise.
Into Added Time 