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Summer 2024 will see Manchester United tasked with the huge challenge of finding the perfect partner for Kobbie Mainoo.
Old Trafford has discovered a new midfield hero this season in Kobbie Mainoo, with the 18-year-old proving himself a phenomenal addition to Erik ten Hag‘s squad.
Alongside him however Manchester United are lacking someone who he can develop a long-term partnership with as Casemiro isn’t getting any younger and was out injured for a substantial period.
This summer should see the midfield strengthened with numerous names in the mix, such as Amadou Onana and Joao Neves, but now a new name has been suggested.
United in Focus have spoken to HITC Football’s transfer expert Graeme Bailey in order to delve into United’s summer options in midfield and other areas across the field.
Manchester United could reignite interest in Frenkie de Jong
United must sign the best possible midfield partner for the supremely talented Mainoo this summer, as they could be set in midfield for years if so.
Now, Graeme Bailey has explained what he thinks United could go for this summer in terms of midfield.
“Midfield will be an interesting one, I think Casemiro will go you know. If Erik ten Hag stays, will he pursue Frenkie De Jong again, I think he probably might, he’s still one of the best midfielders in the world.
“Barcelona do need to clear the decks to a certain extent, and they’ve made it clear that only certain players are untouchable. So we might have another summer of de Jong.”
This of course could be a return to the fruitless saga of the 2022 summer transfer window which ultimately saw De Jong refuse to move.
Facundo Pellistri isn’t in Manchester United’s plans
Graeme then discussed the winger situation at United, which he explained could see three depart in the near future.
“[Facundo] Pellistri is not in United’s long-term plans, Amad [Diallo] I like as a player but I don’t think he’s in Ten Hag’s long-term plans, Antony I don’t think will be going anywhere.
“[Jadon] Sancho will be an interesting one. I suspect the way they do Sancho will be another loan, I don’t think Dortmund will be able to afford to buy him outright and I don’t think Sancho wants to come back, I think we’ll see that sown up early in the summer that he’ll spend another season at least if not two seasons back on loan at Dortmund.”
He also added that he, “fully expects them [United] to probably cash in on Mason Greenwood this summer.”
These departures would all open up space for the potential arrival of Michael Olise, whose United deal could depend on how much his release clause is valued at, with Graeme saying it’s “well in excess of £50m if not over £60m.”
