I only agree with two of those: striker and goalkeeper. CDM, not so much.
It's no secret that United have needed to improve at both ends of the pitch. These two positions have become a priority over the past year given the poor performances of Rasmus Hojlund, the fact that Joshua Zirkzee isn't a striker, Andre Onana being unreliable and untrustworthy as well as backup GK Altay Bayindir not being exactly what we need as a no 2.
Midfield was an area we all felt needed improvement but not as much as striker and goalkeeper. However, as Ruben Amorim appears to want to use Bruno Fernandes as a CM, many have become a bit worried.
The skipper is no true no 8 despite wearing that number on his back. His positional il-discipline and ability to be everywhere and nowhere often results in United's midfield being overloaded and overrun especially if his partner is Casemiro who the manager seems to be favouring at the moment.
This duo don't compliment each other at all which is why we see indifferent performances in the centre of the park. Casemiro may have the understanding of the CDM role but doesn't have the legs anymore even with his new lean and clean physique. Bruno is no specialist as a no 8 and when these two are together, it is a bit of a disaster.
A prime Casemiro and Bruno could work. A better no 6 like Ugarte and the captain might be better as well although the Uruguayan weirdly seems out of favour with the manager. You could make the case that even Casemiro and Ugarte would work better than all other combos. I believe that this South American pair as our two CDMs isn't the problem. It's more their partner. Bruno has his issues while Kobbie Mainoo is still struggling to find his best position in the team and along with Toby Collyer, is a youngster besides. We cannot rely on them.
Hence why I don't agree with this news that United are looking for a CDM as one of their next three targets. It if were a no 8, now we're talking. That game against Leeds was crying out for a specialist in that position as we could see that no one knew what they were doing.
All this news is coming from The Athletic as David Ornstein has said that United's next three targets is striker, goalkeeper and CDM.
There haven't been many links to CDM other than Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace earlier in the window. That's it. He would be expensive to get and what do we do with Casemiro and Ugarte should the Englishman be signed?
As for striker, Ornstein said that there is more chance of Rasmus Hojlund leaving rather than staying. "There’s a very good chance that Rasmus Hojlund moves on from Manchester United."
We know that he has admirers back in Italy as Inter and Juventus have been linked with the out-of-sorts Dane.
To be honest, I wouldn't mind keeping Rasmus. I think there is a good player there but he might need to be more of a backup rather than main striker. If we signed someone like an Ollie Watkins, Hojlund staying wouldn't be a bad thing. Zirkzee isn't a no 9 and Chido Obi is much too young despite his promise.
The names that have been put forth aren't a surprise as Benjamin Sesko, Ollie Watkins and unfortunately, Nicolas Jackson are the three MUFC may look at as potential Hojlund replacements.
That bloody Jackson name just doesn't seem to be disappearing 😡.
The worst part is with 8 years left on his contract at Chelsea, they value him at £80m - £100m! [TNT] I know, even I had to scratch my eyes, clean my glasses and re-read that to make sure it was correct.
United shouldn't be looking at a no 9 like him regardless of price because he's shite, but considering this is what CFC want, hell nah!
£100m for Jackson 🤦♂️.
When it comes to Sesko, Laurie Whitwell is saying that his asking price and wages aren't compatible with United's budget meaning that he could be put of the running.
All roads might be leading to Watkins. He is more experienced and PL proven, won't cost as much (£60m is the reported fee), scores a lot and could fit into this system well. He might not be a bad option.
As for goalkeeper, it looks like Onana isn't going anywhere and nor does it appear as if he wants to. However, we know the links to Emi Martinez and I don't think there's too many fans who would oppose the master of shithousery over Onana, who is currently injured.
I would take Martinez over Onana but if I'm being honest, he isn't the ideal replacement. Here's a post I did comparing him to Diogo Costa who was the other 'keeper being linked with United. You can see that the Argentine isn't a bad option but not the best.
What do you make of all this news? Agree with the positions that Amorim wants to strengthen? Should there be more? And what about the targets? Are they the right players?
Rasmus Hojlund maybe on his wait out of Man Utd as club look for new striker, goalkeeper and defensive midfielder | Rasmus Hojlund and Ruben Amorim: Creator: Matt McNulty | Credit: Getty Images Copyright: 2024 Getty Images via Goal