Manchester United are in trouble.
Even their manager described them as “perhaps the worst team in the club’s history”. Ruben Amorim tried to return to that point today and put the blame on his own performance, but his comments on Sunday after the defeat to Brighton were unequivocal.
They are in 13th place in the Premier League table and that is not a false position. The team lacks quality in all areas. The blame cannot be placed on anyone – the gradual slide towards mediocrity began several years ago – but the current system must take its share.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos Group have taken charge of matters on the ground by purchasing a 27.7% stake in United in December 2023.
Ratcliffe felt there was a lack of football knowledge within the club structure and decided to bring in Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox while former head coach Erik ten Hag was given a new contract after an unworthy search for a replacement.
A terrible summer window in 2024
Between them they sanctioned the signings of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui for a total of £60 million from Bayern Munich, Leny Yoro from Lille for £52 million, Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna for 36.5 million of pounds sterling and Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain for £42 million. .
Five players for over £190 million and, with the possible exception of Yoro who has struggled with injuries and clearly has potential, it seems to have been wasted money.
None of them would make the Liverpool team and none of them would make the Arsenal team. It’s debatable how many people would be in United’s best XI when everyone is fit.
And now ? Well, only Wilcox remains of the trio who oversaw the summer rebuild, which is a positive and the club’s main problem will be trying to rid the team of deadwood, most of whom have big salaries.
United are unlikely to have much room to maneuver financially, but we’ve identified five players here who we think could make a difference.
1. Victor Osimhen
Rasmus Hojlulnd continues to look beside himself. He is clearly not a number nine, as evidenced by his record two goals in 17 Premier League appearances this season.
Napoli striker Osimhen almost joined Chelsea last summer but, with that transfer falling through at the last minute, he was loaned to Galatasaray for 2024-25.
Napoli are reportedly interested in United winger Alejandro Garnacho and some form of swap deal would make sense for all parties.
Osimhen reportedly has a termination clause in his loan deal, meaning a January move, while complicated, is achievable.
2. Nuno Mendes
United have struggled all season on the left side of defense. Amorim plays a 3-4-3, a system Mendes would thrive in given his natural athleticism.
The Portugal international is out of contract in 18 months and would likely jump at the chance to move to Old Trafford and reunite with Amorim.
Maybe a good deal for summer.
3. Guillaume Remains
United are in need of a new goalkeeper, with Andre Onana’s performances becoming more inconsistent week by week. Remains is the one who would need time to settle in given that he is only 19 years old but the Toulouse goalkeeper is already considered the best young goalkeeper in France. He won’t play in Ligue 1 much longer.
If the price is right, a deal could be struck within that window.
4. Arda Guler
The Turkish star has failed to secure a place at Real Madrid and manager Carlo Ancelotti appears unconvinced by the 19-year-old. Still, anyone who saw him play for his country at Euro 2024 would have been impressed. Madrid are unlikely to sell a player with this much potential, but an 18-month loan move to Milan has been mooted. United must move quickly and persuade him to try his luck in England.
There is a deal to be concluded in January.
5. Joshua Kimmich
Kimmich’s contract at Bayern Munich expires this summer and his future remains uncertain. The smart money is on him remaining at the Allianz Arena, but he would be a perfect fit at Old Trafford. He can play many positions but, perhaps more importantly, he would bring a winning mentality that is sorely lacking.
Given his contract status, United could speak to Kimmich now, although he will almost certainly remain in Germany until the end of the season.
