De Ligt signs, £40m Ugarte deal, Branthwaite call – Man United’s next transfer after Leny Yoro done deal
Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign Leny Yoro from Lille. United had an offer accepted last week and the 18-year-old has decided to join the club, despite interest from Real Madrid.
The fee is expected to rise to around €70million (£58.7m) for the Frenchman, who was named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year after impressing last season. Yoro is poised to become United’s second signing of the summer after Joshua Zirkzee arrived from Bologna in a £36.5m move.
It’s expected to take their spending to £95.2m for the summer, with more incomings anticipated as they look to sell several squad members. Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Casemiro, Mason Mount and Harry Maguire are among the players being linked with moves away as United look to raise some cash.
But who else should United sign this summer? MEN writers have their say on who the Red Devils should target as their next and third arrival in the transfer window…
Tyrone Marshall
A centre-back and a striker were the priority for United at the start of this window and if they secure both before heading off on tour it will have to be considered an excellent start. The reality is sales are now required to boost the budget and who goes might condition who is next to arrive.
United will have to sell another central defender, probably Victor Lindelof, and there are midfielders who could depart, notably Casemiro, while there have been bids for Scott McTominay.
Another, slightly more senior centre-back, would be a preference and Matthijs de Ligt could yet tick that box. The most interesting situation is Casemiro’s, however. If United are to replace him it probably needs to happen sooner rather than later and that is why midfield should be the next area to look at.
Steven Railston
Before the transfer window opened, I said United’s priority must be signing a quality defensive midfielder to replace Casemiro and my opinion hasn’t changed. The Brazilian’s regression was significant last season and persisting with him in the new campaign is inadvisable.
Finding the right player to succeed Casemiro is the challenge. Joao Palhinha appealed, but he’s joined Bayern Munich from Fulham and the market isn’t bursting with options.
Nonetheless, now a forward and a defender have been brought in – although Leny Yoro’s move isn’t official yet – United should focus their efforts on signing that player.
Perhaps PSG’s midfielder Ugrarte fits the billing and he’d add to the South American influence in the dressing room.
Kieran King
It’s clear as day that United need to strengthen their midfield this summer. They need someone to partner Kobbie Mainoo for the long-term as I am not convinced Casemiro can still cut it at the top level. The Brazilian looked way off his best last season, and at 32, should United look to the future? I think so.
Crystal Palace starlet Adam Wharton is the man they should look at. He has impressed since moving to Palace from Blackburn in January and could immediately solve United’s midfield problem. That is the area United should look at next, with Wharton the most ideal candidate available right now.
Tom Doyle
Signing Yoro is a huge coup for United: it also means they don’t need to get sucked into time-sensitive transfer sagas, overbidding for targets as they have done in previous summers. So, what do they need to do next? United could do with another centre-back along with Yoro: Matthijs De Ligt fits the bill at the right price. Jarrad Branthwaite would be a superb signing, but looks too expensive at this point – especially with Everton left baffled by the Yoro fee.
A left-back would be welcome given Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia’s injury records, while Ten Hag also desperately needs a defensive midfielder: PSG’s Manuel Ugarte looks a good prospect for an affordable fee, but that deal likely rests on Casemiro being sold. In truth, the rest of United’s transfer window hinges on who can be sold to raise more funds.
If Ineos can get Casemiro, Mason Greenwood, Christian Eriksen and one of Victor Lindelof or Harry Maguire (or both of them) out the door, then De Ligt, Ugarte and a left-back would represent upgrades across the squad. Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho leaving now looks less likely, but if United could sell either then I would also pick up a winger and/or a striker: Ivan Toney and Federico Chiesa would offer goals, experience and depth at affordable prices.
