How Man United could line up after following Premier League January transfer window

How Man United could line up after following Premier League January transfer window

Man Utd will look to recruit Premier League-proven players in their first summer transfer window with Ineos.

There is still plenty of time left in the January transfer window but Manchester United’s eyes are firmly on the summer instead. By then, the Ineos Group’s investment will be ratified and there will be much more clarity on what they have to work with both on and off the pitch.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has already signalled an intention to put ‘Manchester’ back into Manchester United and would love to build a team that showcases the finest homegrown talent.

Ineos are undertaking a thorough strategic review of the entire sporting operation at Old Trafford and are expected to place a greater emphasis on recruiting players who are already proven in the Premier League.

It will be a costly change of plan, but one that should, in theory, increase the certainty of a new signing adapting to the club.

Michael Olise is one of those reported to be high on the agenda for United this summer. The 22-year-old is one of the most exciting young players in the Premier League and his versatility could make him the ideal addition to Erik ten Hag’s squad this summer.

Olise is primarily a right winger, though, so any bid to buy him would likely require moving on one of Antony or Amad at the end of the season, while it would also most likely need Alejandro Garnacho to move back to the left wing.

The French youth international is also capable of playing in a more central role so he could also provide backup for Bruno Fernandes, though it is unclear whether he would get regular football at United.

It’s a similar dilemma in the case of Jarrad Branthwaite. He is attracting plenty of interest after his individual success with Everton, but the club’s uncertain financial situation could force them to cash in on the youngster this summer.

The 21-year-old is best suited to the left centre-back role, so he would likely be a backup for Lisandro Martinez, but he has also played on the right side of defence this season.

Another advantage to signing the Everton defender is that he is capable of filling in at left back if required, giving the side another option should Luke Shaw suffer any further injury setbacks.

There are not many Premier League-proven players who would go straight into the line-up this summer
United are also open to adding another striker to their squad this summer, and although they might be priced out of another high-profile addition, there are certainly plenty of appealing options in the English top-flight if they could.

Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins and Dominic Solanke have all shone for their respective sides so far this season, and it would be hard to argue against any of them strengthening the United forward line.

The dilemma is once again playing time, though. All three of them would like to be leading the line in the Premier League and although they shine for their current clubs, they might not have the same luxury playing under the pressure of United.

It is also hard to see how United could attract another top-class striker to the club when they have invested so heavily in Rasmus Hojlund, given that they now owe him the time to actually try and fulfil his enormous potential.

Ineos might want to recruit players proven in the Premier League but it will be much harder to do it in principle.

United XI with Premier League additions: Onana; Dalot, Branthwaite, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo, Fernandes; Garnacho, Olise, Hojlund.