Manchester United was once the giant of English football and was feared throughout Europe. Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign saw them win 38 major trophies. This included a league-high 13 Premier League titles, 5 FA Cups, and 2 UEFA Champions League titles.
The club’s fall from grace is a sorrowful sight for every supporter of the club and for fans who love the sport. A cumulation of poor managerial hires, inadequate scouting, and mismanagement of talent has resulted in the club’s downfall.
The manager, Ruben Amorim, is already under a lot of pressure after a poor showing last season. If the club is to succeed under his management, it needs to act smart in the transfer market.
1. Benjamin Sesko
- Position: Striker
- Current Club: RB Leipzig
- Approximate Transfer Value: £69 million
Why Benjamin Sesko?
The striker position is in desperate need of an upgrade at Old Trafford. The striker duo of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee only managed to score an astonishingly low 7 goals between them. On the other hand, Sesko is a name that resonates in Europe for his high talent ceiling. In a struggling RB Leipzig side.
He found the back of the net 13 times in the Bundesliga last season. The player has the ability to score a range of goals. Headers, shots from inside the box, or shots from outside the box; the Slovenian international has it all in his locker.
2. Ollie Watkins
- Position: Striker
- Current Club: Aston Villa
- Approximate Transfer Value: £60 million
Why Ollie Watkins?
The 29-year-old has scored at least 15 goals in the Premier League in his last 3 seasons with Aston Villa. The club has already shown its intention of signing players with Premier League experience. The signings of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha from Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers showcase the talent that exists in the league.
Watkins can be described as a “complete forward”. He not only has an eye for goal, but he can also hold up the ball well and makes good runs into channels. These are key traits for a striker in Ruben Amorim’s system. His dominant aerial presence means that he poses a threat from set pieces as well.
3. Morten Hjulmand
- Position: Central Midfielder
- Current Club: Sporting CP
- Approximate Transfer Value: £43 million
Why Morten Hjumland?
Manchester United under Ruben Amorim deploys the 3-4-2-1 formation. With only 2 central midfielders, the midfield has shown signs of struggle as they regularly combat 3 central midfielders. Amorim’s system needs workhorses in the middle of the park to cope with the athleticism required to play this role.
Hjumland was brought to Sporting CP by none other than the United boss. He played a crucial role in Amorim’s successful tenure in Portugal. There may be no other option that Amorim would trust more than his captain back at Sporting. The Danish international also has a clear advantage as he’s familiar with Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system.
4. Javi Guerra
- Position: Central Midfielder
- Current Club: Valencia
- Approximate Transfer Value: £21 million
Why Javi Guerra?
Javi Guerra fits the description of Amorim and Manchester United’s signing requirements. He’s a player who is young, energetic, possesses technical quality, yet would not cost a high fee. The 22-year-old Spaniard is very aggressive and is a great presser high up on the pitch. Despite being 6’2, he’s still incredibly mobile. All these traits that he possesses highlight his ability to adapt to the Premier League.
5. Senne Lammens
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Current Club: Royal Antwerp
- Approximate Transfer Value: £17 million
Why Senne Lammens?
Manchester United has been struggling in the goalkeeper department as well. André Onana, the Cameroonian international who signed from Inter Milan in 2023 after his heroics in the Champions League, has not lived up to expectations. Eyebrows were raised after Onana’s antics in Manchester United’s 23/24 UCL run. His blunders saw the Red Devils crash out in the group stage of the tournament.
Senne Lammens has been named as one of the targets this transfer window. The Belgian has shown he has the confidence to play for Manchester United. The young goalkeeper is revered as a brilliant shot-stopper and also tops the charts for high claims. Amorim still seems to have trust in Onana; if Lammens is brought in, he could provide some much needed competition for the No.1 spot.
Conclusion
This summer window is a crucial one for Manchester United. The club just recorded its worst-ever finish in the Premier League era at 15th. If these giants wish to cement themselves back into Europe’s elite, this window cannot be a failure. Manchester United struggled to score goals in the 24/25 Premier League season.
The side has already added veteran forwards with the likes of Mbuemo and Cunha, but is still in desperate need of a striker. Pre-season has already shown glimpses of the 2 man midfield struggling to cope with the demands of Amorim’s system. Could an engine in the midfield help address these problems?
Written by: Thillai Ritvik
