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Manchester United started off the summer window with a bang with the captures of exciting young duo Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro.
Things haven’t quite gone in the same direction since though as the inability to sell off players such as Scott McTominay, Victor Lindelof and Casemiro has resulted in funds being tighter than Ineos probably envisioned at the start of the window.
Nonetheless, the club have been involved in lengthy discussions for Bayern Munich defensive duo Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui and will reportedly make a second official bid for the two players imminently.
The Red Devils have had to walk away from a deal for defensive midfielder Manuel Ugarte due to the aforementioned PSR difficulties, so are looking at cheaper alternatives such as Youssouf Fofana and Sander Berge.
Assuming United can get the transfer business they need to get done before the window slams shut on the 30th of August, here is how they could line up with their two new additions and the potential arrivals of De Ligt, Mazraoui and Fofana.
Andre Onana will obviously start in goal as he is Erik ten Hag’s undisputed number one option. The Cameroonian has already boldly claimed he will take more risks this season with the ball and will try to build up more from the back.
The signing of Mazraoui certainly fits into this mould as the right back is very accomplished on the ball and he has been described as fitting “the inverted fullback position so well because he weights his controls perfectly and always opens his body to maximise his angles of progression”, consequently allowing United to build attacks from the back with a lot more success.
The Moroccan would be an incredible upgrade on Wan-Bissaka from an attacking perspective and his ability to cover the left flank would add valuable depth to the defence.
Leny Yoro suffered the misfortune of picking up a serious injury in his second appearance for the club that will see him miss the first three months of the season.
Nonetheless, the capture of the sensational 18 year old sent shockwaves throughout the footballing world and his raw speed, excellence on the ball and wonderful reading of the game will do wonders for the Old Trafford side’s defence.
De Ligt may not be a natural partner for Yoro as they are both right-sided defenders but his comfort on the ball should allow him to adapt to the left hand side from time to time.
The Dutchman is incredibly aware of Ten Hag’s style of football, just like Mazraoui, and would have little difficulty adapting to what his former coach would ask of him.
Moreover, his massive size and aerial dominance would help him adjust to the rough and tumble of the Premier League quite easily. In addition, his leadership qualities would add much to a defence that has been known to crumble when under pressure.
One weakness is his pace, or lack of it, but Yoro would be a wonderful foil to the Netherlands international in this regard.
Luke Shaw would also add much to United’s possession game and it would be quite a sight for United fans to see five such accomplished ball players at the back.
Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes are two of the club’s most important players, if not the most important. Both names are set in stone in the line up and add much to United’s game. Fernandes contributes wonderfully creative passing, hard work, leadership and goalscoring threat.
Mainoo is all about explosiveness, calmness on the ball and an increasing eye for goal himself, and at 19 years old, will surely only get better and better.
Fofana would be an interesting third partner as he would add much physicality to the midfield area but also maintain quality on the ball.
Described as “a stellar ball-winner, Fofana’s strength and aggression make him a great tackler” and he could work well in tandem with United’s other talented duo.
“He also progresses the ball through his passing, boasting 7.24 progressive passes per 90 (86th). When receiving or winning the ball, his first thought is to play it forward and beat pressing lines with his passes.
Finally in attack Joshua Zirkzee would play in a 9.5 role as he describes himself, and could link up the play with United’s two wingers of Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho.
The Dutchman is not only a finisher but loves to beat players and has bucketloads of flair which could bring out the best of a range of United attackers.
Amad Diallo has excelled throughout pre-season and is a supremely skilled footballer who once again, would prosper in a possession based side which Ineos aim to construct.
This United eleven would not only be incredibly comfortable on the ball but would also be excitingly young as the oldest player would be Fernandes, who will turn 30 in September.
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