Manchester United are moving fast in the transfer market with deals already completed for the signatures of Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee and young French defender Leny Yoro as the new football hierarchy operating at Old Trafford seem to have ushered in a new era of efficiency in the market.
The Red Devils are reportedly still working on deals for the likes of Bayern’s Matthijs de Ligt, PSG’s Manuel Ugarte and Fiorentina’s Sofyan Ambrabat but they may have to facilitate some outgoings before making any new additions to satisfy PSR.
Soccernet.football takes a look at how Erik Ten Hag could set up his team if Manchester United manage to sign all their summer transfer targets.
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Andre Onana (GK)
Despite having a shaky start to his Manchester United career, the Cameroon international eventually showed glimpses of his quality between the sticks, especially towards the end of last season. The 27-year-old’s distribution remains vital to Ten Hag’s preferred style of play, hence, it is expected that he will remain United’s No. 1 for at least another season.
Diogo Dalot (RB)
The 25-year-old full-back was one of United’s best players last season, making eight goal contributions across 50 appearances while featuring at both full-back positions due to an injury crisis in the Red Devils’ defense. Dalot appears to be Ten Hag’s best option to start the new campaign at right-back as he can offer so much going forward while also remaining defensively solid.
Leny Yoro (CB)
The massively talented 18-year-old is one of the hottest talents in European football and all eyes will be on his potential impact on a Manchester United backline that was one of the worst in the Premier League last season. After forking out the sum of £52m plus add-ons for that Frenchman, the Red Devils will be hoping he can make an immediate impact for them.
Lisandro Martinez (CB)
One of the best signings of Ten Hag at Manchester United, Martinez is expected to pair the exciting Yoro in defense come the start of the 2024/2025 season. The Argentine was one of the major victims of an injury crisis that rocked the United backline last season and his absence was greatly felt. Upon his return, he helped the Red Devils contain a relentless Manchester City front line to win the FA Cup. If he stays fit, he’s sure to hold down that LCB position for the entire campaign.
Luke Shaw (LB)
Popularly touted as the best left-back in English football, the only downside to Shaw’s game is that he’s prone to injury which makes it difficult to rely on him for the whole season. However, the England international is currently back to fitness after making a couple of appearances for the Three Lions at the European Championships in Germany and while his ability to remain fit is cause for concern, a fit Luke Shaw is a no-brainer in this United XI.
Manuel Ugarte (DM)
The lapses in United’s midfield last season were glaring for all to see with young Kobbie Mainoo often left with too much to do. Casemiro, once world-class, looked like he had his best years behind him as he struggled to cover the pitch as well as he used to at Real Madrid, leaving United porous and easily penetrable. The Red Devils have reportedly agreed personal terms with a younger and more agile version of the Brazilian in Ugarte and are now working to find common ground with PSG.
Kobbie Mainoo (CM)
After a stellar breakthrough campaign at Old Trafford last season, Mainoo further enhanced his already growing reputation at the European Championships in Germany by massively impressing at the heart of England’s midfield alongside Declan Rice. The 19-year-old plays with a confidence and maturity beyond his years and he has been tipped by many to be the face of United’s midfield for years to come.
Bruno Fernandes (AM)
The Manchester United skipper is arguably their most important player and it is expected that he will continue to be a vital cog in Ten Hag’s system despite rumors linking him with a move away from Old Trafford this summer. The 29-year-old Portuguese bagged 28 goal contributions last season despite a disappointing Premier League and UEFA Champions League campaign for the Red Devils. United will be looking to their skipper for continued inspiration in attack when the new season commences.
Amad Diallo (RW)
The Ivorian looks ready to take the 2024/2025 campaign by storm after seeing his momentum halted by injury at the start of last season. Amad looked really good for United towards the end of the 2023/2024 season and the 22-year-old has continued to catch the eye with his impressive performances in preseason. Although Alejandro Garnacho did a great job when deployed at RW last season, it is no secret that the young Argentine favours the left flank.
Marcus Rashford (LW)
Despite enduring a nightmare campaign last season where he only managed eight goals across 43 appearances, Rashford’s quality as a football player is undeniable and if he can regain the kind of form he displayed during Ten Hag’s first season in charge, then he would be too much competition for even the very exciting Garnacho. Jadon Sancho is another player who could feature on the left flank for United if he doesn’t leave Old Trafford this summer.
Rasmus Hojlund (CF)
Hojlund returned decent numbers for a struggling Manchester United side last season despite an obvious lack of service upfront and a couple of spells on the sidelines. The arrival of Zirkzee will create competition for the 21-year-old in the United attack but the decision on who starts games will ultimately depend on Ten Hag’s tactical approach based on different opponents. We expect the Danish forward to get the nod ahead of his Dutch teammate at the start of the 2024/2025 season.
