Manchester United’s summer transfer needs: Replacing Ibrahimovic is the key
Manchester United had a disappointing season in the Premier League. Here’s how they can strengthen in the transfer market this summer.
Manchester United came sixth in the Premier League last season, a disappointing finish for a side that had been expected to challenge for the title in Jose Mourinho’s first season. But they still made it into the Champions League and the year qualifies, just about, as a success. The squad isn’t in need of a massive overhaul; just a few additions in key areas and the removal of some unnecessary, and expensive, squad players.
The top priority should be signing a player who can score. With Zlatan Ibrahimovic going down with a serious knee injury at the end of last season, it remains to be seen whether he’ll return to Old Trafford in 2017-18. And even if he does return, it’s hard to say whether a 36-year-old coming off a torn cruciate ligament can carry the goalscoring load he did this season.
While Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are both very exciting young players, they haven’t proven they can carry that load either. Rashford has had a bit of a sophomore slump, scoring just five goals in 30 appearances in the league. The fact Juan Mata was United’s second-highest scorer with six league goals tells you everything you need to know about the side’s need to bolster the attack. But who should they buy?
Antoine Griezmann is the obvious choice. He has the ability to both score and create, which would greatly benefit Rashford and Martial as well. United have been heavily linked with Griezmann, but it seems Atletico Madrid’s recently upheld transfer ban could prove a stumbling block in negotiations.
Another striking option, and arguably the better choice, is Romelu Lukaku. A big, strong target man like Lukaku could be just what the doctor ordered to remedy all the goalscoring woes of the Red Devils. With players like Rashford and Martial playing on the wings and using their speed to beat full-backs, Lukaku would be a good fit stylistically.
The second priority for United should be a reliable partner for center-back Eric Bailly, who impressed in an injury-hit first season. While Marcos Rojo has, for the most part, been a solid performer alongside Bailly, he’s not an ideal partner for the Ivorian. Both defenders like to play on the front foot and attack the ball, meaning a more calming, positionally-disciplined presence is called for. Adding a solid center-back would also allow Rojo to rotate between playing in the middle and playing full-back, providing further depth in two important positions.
Finally, Jose Mourinho needs to add a central midfielder. The Red Devils have a plethora of attack-minded midfielders, but very few that look to sit back and control play, or play the ball-winning midfield role. With fan-favorite Michael Carrick quickly approaching the end of his career, this needs to become a priority for the future sooner rather than later.
These would all be valuable additions to what remains a flawed squad, and if United do bring in a player of Griezmann’s or Lukaku’s caliber, they’ll surely attract most of the attention. But Mourinho will also need to think seriously about who he wants to offload this summer as he continues to streamline his team.
The biggest question concerns Wayne Rooney. Rooney has had an historic career at United, becoming the the club’s all-time leading goalscorer last season, but at this point he simply doesn’t offer enough on the pitch to justify his wages.
Luke Shaw is another player who could depart this summer. Shaw is talented, but a series of injuries, not to mention Mourinho’s public criticism of his work ethic, suggest his days are numbered at Old Trafford. Unlike Rooney, Shaw would likely warrant a large transfer fee.
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The last name that should be considered for sale this summer is injury-prone defender Phil Jones. Jones has at times looked to be a good rotation option since joining United from Blackburn back in 2011, but his inability to stay fit has become a serious problem. With Bailly, Rojo, Chris Smalling, Daley Blind and even Axel Tuanzebe all contending for minutes, Jones has become expendable.