Manchester United maintain their ambition of winning the Premier League in 2027-28 but much more than Matheus Cunha will be required for Ruben Amorim’s squad to contend
Omar Berrada is confident Manchester United can return to the Premier League’s summit by 2028. A tall order, the chief executive admitted, but very much possible.
And if it is to become a reality this transfer window needs to see a shambolic squad that finished 15th in the season just completed receive some significant surgery. It has already begun following Matheus Cunha’s £62.5m arrival from Wolves, while Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike and Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo remain high on the wishlist.
Yet United have been clear for months that outgoings are a must to fund new arrivals and there is still no clarity on where Marcus Rashford, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho and several others will be playing once the recruitment window closes on September 1. None of those are in head coach Ruben Amorim’s plans.
Here is the transfer state of play at Old Trafford after the window reopened on Monday.
READ MORE: Hugo Ekitike transfer: Man Utd discover hefty price tag as Frankfurt issue statementREAD MORE: Bryan Mbeumo’s telling response to Man Utd question as Spurs outbid them in transfer race
Confirmed signings
Cunha’s arrival from Molineux, on a five-year deal with the option to extend by another 12 months, brings justifiable excitement considering how impressive the Brazil forward performed in the middle part of the season for a club that began the campaign worried about relegation.
A deal to sign young left back Diego Leon from Paraguay’s Cerro Porteno was confirmed in January.
Next targets
Having scored a pitiful 44 goals in 38 league games, with both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee devoid of confidence, strengthening the attack has been an obvious priority.
And that is why United are so keen on £70m Mbeumo , who looks almost certain to leave Brentford following another impressive season for the top flight’s smartest run club. The big issue is whether Mbeumo instead chooses to follow his Bees boss Thomas Frank in joining Tottenham Hotspur – where he can be guaranteed of Champions League football.
A similar fee will be required to bring in French striker Ekitike , 22, from Frankfurt – despite him having only one decent season in the Bundesliga under his belt. Ekitike could not make an impact at Paris Saint-Germain, albeit in their galacticos era, with Mbeumo the far safer bet for a club that has counted the cost of bringing in players with no Premier League experience.
Interest in Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres has diminished with his preferred destination appearing to be Arsenal.
Confirmed departures
Senior men Christian Eriksen , Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof are to be joined by Hubert Graczyk , Jack Kingdon , Sam Murray , Tom Myles , James Nolan and Tom Wooster in being released at the end of their contracts on June 30.
Eyeing exits
The entire squad is available for the right price but there are several who clearly have no roles to play under Amorim.
Rashford shone in parts while on loan at Aston Villa and has been linked with a switch to Barcelona but only a select few clubs can afford his £1m a month salary.
Similar is true of Antony, who did well at Real Betis. Except the La Liga club cannot afford the Brazilian’s wages either.
Garnacho , meanwhile, was supposedly told to find a new club after a row because he was left on the bench for much of the nightmare Europa League defeat to Tottenham last month.
Veteran midfielder Casemiro is welcome to find a new club, so too flop striker Hojlund because he is yet to adapt after two full seasons up front.
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