4 transfer window problems Reds face
AS the transfer window closes before the start of the Premier League season for the first time today, teams have less time to assemble their squads than usual.
Maybe United did not anticipate how different the transfer window would play out with an early deadline, or maybe they have just been complacent and left some of their dealings until the very last minute.
One thing for certain is that this has been a tricky summer at Old Trafford, and Jose Mourinho is running out of time to solve the problems that have arisen since the season finished last May.
There is every chance Mourinho could land his desired central defensive target and sort the futures of his want-away first-teamers. However, the closer he gets to today’s 5pm deadline without addressing these key problems, the more chance they will disrupt the club over the coming season.
PROBLEM 1: CENTRAL DEFENCE MOURINHO has chased a highprofile central defensive signing all summer, but still appears no closer to landing any of his identified targets.
Toby Alderweireld would offer experience and quality in defence, and would be worth spending money on. Just look at the impact Virgil van Dijk has had for Liverpool. It is worth investing in quality.
But the deal has dragged on all summer, and failure to land Alderweireld would be a big defeat for the Reds boss.
Then there is United’s pursuit of Harry Maguire after his World Cup exploits.
Leicester insist Maguire is not for sale, yet talk of a world record bid for a defender has persisted for weeks. Maguire would be a good signing, but whether he is worth upwards of £65m is debatable and would put a lot of pressure on the England man.
United’s other options would not solve the problem in defence.
Yerry Mina would need time to settle in, while Jerome Boateng may add stability in the short-term but he is said to be reluctant to make the switch.
Amidst all the rumours, Mourinho’s hunt may have affected his current crop of defenders, too. Marcos Rojo, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof will have all seen the transfer speculation, no doubt.
If Mourinho doesn’t get his man, he may have a task on his hands to motivate them for the season. PROBLEM 2: ANTHONY MARTIAL AND MATTEO DARMIAN MOURINHO doesn’t want to keep players who want to leave. Ed Woodward doesn’t want to sell his better players. Something has to give. Darmian’s situation is simpler than Martial’s – he will probably return to Italy, but is currently needed to cover for Antonio Valencia’s injury. He has performed professionally in pre-season, but if a move away doesn’t materialise he would have every right to be unhappy.
As for Martial – the whole affair has been handled in typical Mourinho style. As a result, there may not be any way back for the Frenchman. United don’t want to sell to a Premier League rival, and want to recoup the £58m they spent on Martial, however, so a move is not simple.
The transfer window in some European leagues remain open until the end of the month, so Martial will hope to be rescued by the likes of Bayern Munich or Borussia Dortmund, but if Martial stays, the problem has the potential to bother United all season.
PROBLEM 3: RIGHT WING ALL indications suggest this problem will be left unsolved.
Mourinho wanted a right-winger to offer balance to his side and provide another threat in attack.
Ivan Perisic, Willian, Hirving Lozano, Ante Rebic and Christian Pulisic were all mooted as potential arrivals, but none have materialised into anything significant.
Willian was perhaps the most likely to join United, but he looks set to remain at Chelsea.
Signing Willian would have weakened Maurizio Sarri’s side, who looked unconvincing against City in the Community Shield. Now, they have a player who wants to resurrect his Stamford Bridge career after being unhappy with Antonio Conte’s methods.
Tahith Chong impressed on the right wing in pre-season, but looking to the youngster to solve United’s lack of crossing options is unfair.
Mourinho seems set to go with his existing options, unless something big changes late in the window.
PROBLEM 4: WHAT NEXT FOR THE YOUNGSTERS? ON tour, Mourinho took a number of young players to the US to cover for their missing World Cup stars. He gave Scott McTominay a chance last season but there is no obvious candidate ready to step up this time.
Most of the youngsters who performed on tour will return to their youth teams and some are expected to head out on loan.
Axel Tuanzebe has rejoined Aston Villa, while Timothy Fosu-Mensah has been linked with a move to Hertha Berlin.
Others would be wise to seek loan moves themselves and gain first-team experience away from Old Trafford in order to boost their chances when they return.
Jose Mourinho is running out of time to solve the problems since the season finished in May
Joe Bray