Manchester United’s premier league XI after Xavi Simon transfer done today and Branthwaite, Zirkzee, De Ligt and Ugarte personal terms agreed – The premier league title is coming to Old Trafford next season
Manchester United are preparing for change this season, both on and off the pitch. With a new sporting director, technical director and CEO in situ under new ownership.
It promises to be an exciting summer in the transfer market and manager Erik ten Hag will get the chance to lead an exciting, new look team into the Premier League, Europa League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup next term.
United have agreed terms with a deal for Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt, had a bid accepted for Lille teenager Leny Yoro and are close to securing the signing of Bologna forward Joshua Zirkzee.
PSG midfielder Manuel Ugarte and Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite are also defenders under serious consideration, while the club are also monitoring Brentford’s Ivan Toney and Everton forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
There could be as many as eight departures, too, with a number of players being linked with moves elsewhere. As such, the Manchester Evening News have taken a look at United’s options and outlined what their dream starting XI could look like at the end of the transfer window.
Goalkeeper
This decision is pretty simple for United, with Andre Onana set to continue as number one. The Cameroon international joined from Inter Milan last summer and although he endured a sticky start, he started to repay the faith Ten Hag showed in him when he was purchased as David De Gea’s replacement.
Turkish international Altay Bayindir will continue as United’s second choice goalkeeper, with veteran England international goalkeeper Tom Heaton completing the goalkeeping unit.
Right-back
Diogo Dalot established himself as United’s first choice right-back this term and he will stay in that role this term as he continues to show the potential that convinced the club to sign him from Porto as a teenager back in 2018.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s future at the club remains up in the air. If he remains at United, he will start the season as second choice but he has interest from both West Ham United and Galatasaray to consider.
If Wan-Bissaka moves on, United could move into the market for a new right-back to provide Dalot with competition this term.
Centre-backs
United are looking to add both De Ligt and Branthwaite to their ranks this summer, and have had a bid accepted for teenage defender Yoro, to add to what is already a wealth of central options at their disposal.
Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof and Willy Kambwala are all central defensive options already at the club, with Jonny Evans in discussions over a new contract. The likelihood is at least one of those players will be moved on this summer.
That would likely be Lindelof, with the Swedish international defender linked with a move to Fenerbahce and a reunion with Jose Mourinho.
Left-back
Luke Shaw, when fit, is United’s undisputed first choice left-back. Tyrell Malacia is the second choice left-back and even if he is sold on this summer, Martinez and Branthwaite, if he does sign from Everton, can be deployed as left-backs, too.
Midfield
If United stick to a three-man midfield, they could have a number of exciting options at their disposal next term. Should they seal the signing of Ugarte, he would play at the base of a midfield three with exciting teenager Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes playing either side of him.
That would leave Christian Eriksen and Mason Mount as options from the bench, with Mount needing a strong season to justify the decision to sign him from Chelsea last summer.
It remains to be seen whether United decide to turn Sofyan Ambrabat’s loan move from Fiorentina into a permanent deal, while the jury is still out on Scott McTominay’s future amid interest from Everton and Fulham.
Casemiro will likely be moved on amid interest from Saudi Arabia, while Donny van de Beek is closing in on a move to Girona.
Front three
United have been at their strongest when Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford have occupied the wide positions and if both players can fire consistently next season, it bodes well for a successful season.
Antony and Amad will likely be retained as their deputies, paving the way for the exits of Mason Greenwood, who is in advanced talks with Marseille, Jadon Sancho, who is attracting interest from Juventus and Facundo Pellistri, amid interest from Rayo Vallecano.
Zirkzee’s arrival would see him compete with Hojlund for the centre-forward position and another striking option could well still be recruited to add further competition.
Manchester United’s dream starting XI: Onana; Dalot, De Ligt, Martinez/Branthwaite, Shaw; Ugarte, Mainoo, Fernandes; Garnacho, Rashford; Zirkzee
