Cash will be king for United this summer
FOR the second summer in a row, United’s transfer activity will be framed around the hit they’ve taken on revenues across the pandemic.
The market is likely to be quiet, but there is hope on the horizon, with crowds set to return at full capacity next season.
But it still means only one significant deal may be possible at United.
The Reds retain an interest in Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland and with Edinson Cavani’s future unclear beyond the end of June, it might be that a centre forward shoots to the top of the shopping list.
The Uruguyan arrived as a free agent in October and United have an option to extend the 34-year-old’s deal for another season, but Cavani’s father recently suggested his son wanted to return to South America, while United have also had doubts about extending the deal.
Cavani’s recent injury issues and his desire to be fully fit before putting his body on the line have cast further doubt on whether he will be at the club next season. If he departs, United will need a striker and Haaland, who worked with Solskjaer at Molde, is top of the list.
Plenty of Europe’s elite are interested too, however, including City, who are likely to see Sergio Aguero leave this summer. Haaland has a release clause that becomes active in 2022, but he could leave a year earlier than that, a situation more likely if Borussia Dortmund fail to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
United are also in the market for a new centre-back, but Cavani’s future could mean solving issues in attack take precedent. Pau Torres is open to
a move to Old Trafford if United do pursue a new defensive signing and Eric Bailly’s future might be an issue, with the injury-prone defender out of contract in the summer of 2022.
Signing a right-back to challenge Aaron Wan-Bissaka could also be on the agenda. The 23-year-old has started the last 20 games and at the moment only has Brandon Williams for competition, with Axel Tuanzebe starting at right-back in December. Diogo Dalot could return from a loan spell at AC Milan to challenge Wan-Bissaka, but he is more likely to depart permanently if a buyer can be found. United were monitoring Kieran Trippier’s situation at Atletico Madrid in January.
Departures will also be a key theme of the window, with decisions to be made on Dalot, Andreas Pereira and Jesse Lingard, who are on loan at AC Milan, Lazio and West Ham.
Finally, it wouldn’t be a summer window without a discussion around Paul Pogba and his fate could still inform United’s business. Mino Raiola has already said the World Cup winner wants to leave and he will have just a year left on his contract, but they are unlikely to want to sell on the cheap and his departure would leave a sizeable hole in midfield on recent form.