De Ligt fee agreed, Saudi deal – 3 transfer questions Man United must answer before season opener
Manchester United will kick off their Premier League campaign at home to Fulham in just over two weeks time.
It’s been a summer of change so far at Old Trafford with two new additions to Erik ten Hag’s squad after the arrival of sporting director Dan Ashworth. Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro have joined to strengthen Erik ten Hag’s squad after a difficult 2023/24 season.
And more signings are planned with United reportedly agreeing on a fee with Bayern Munich for full-back Noussair Mazraoui. The future of Aaron Wan-Bissaka is set to be pivotal to a deal for Mazraou with West Ham interested in the English right-back.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte is another player United are looking to sign after agreeing personal terms with the midfielder. With all that said, below are three areas the Reds still need to look at before they kick off against Marco Silva’s side on August 16…
A left-back reinforcement
With the fragile nature of Luke Shaw’s body and Tyrell Malacia still recovering from a knee injury, left-back is a position of concern. Diogo Dalot can fill in and potential new signing Mazraoui can also play there.
But if another full-back in Ten Hag’s team picks up an injury then United’s squad will be immediately stretched. Feyenoord’s David Hancko could be a good solution if the club have some PSR wriggle room.
More centre-backs needed
The injury to Leny Yoro may accelerate United’s interest in Matthijs de Ligt. United have agreed personal terms with the Dutchman but are yet to agree a fee with Bayern.
Victor Lindelof’s future remains uncertain and after the departures of Raphael Varane and Willy Kambwala, United may again be turning more towards 36-year-old Jonny Evans. If Yoro’s injury keeps him out for an extended period, United must act before the Fulham game.
Sell or back Casemiro
Casemiro faces an uncertain future at Old Trafford after a nightmare campaign last season. Injuries and age appear to have caught up with the Brazilian, who aged 32, is unlikely to get any better.
Selling him is going to be tricky with his wages meaning that Saudi Arabia is his most likely destination. But defensive midfield was a major problem for Ten Hag’s team last season and it must be fixed with a younger and more mobile player than the former Real Madrid star.
