With the transfer window now open and a new manager at the helm, Manchester United are set to make big changes to their squad this summer.
It will be Erik ten Hag's first transfer window as United manager and, as always, some of Europe's top talents are being linked with a move to Old Trafford. New forwards, central defenders and central midfielders have been the topic of discussion for United, with the latter the priority after failing to strengthen that position last summer.
Frenkie de Jong, Christian Eriksen, Darwin Nunez, Jurrien Timber and Christopher Nkunku are just some of the names being linked with Ten Hag's side ahead of the new season. As well as incomings, United have waved goodbye to some long-serving players, with Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata all leaving the club.
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So, who could United sign this summer and how can we expect United's starting XI to look when the 2022 transfer window closes? Let's find out.
Manchester United's 2022/23 squad predicted after 2022 transfer window
To find out what the United squad could look like at the beginning of the 2022/23 season, we used Football Manager 2022 to predict United's incomings, outgoings and the future starting XI. Here's what happened!
Transfers in: £200 million
- Antony (Ajax) - £68m
- Josko Gvardiol (RB Leipzig) - £46.5m
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Ibrahim Sangare (PSV) - £29m
- Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Dortmund) - £22.5m
- Marco Asensio (Real Madrid) - £17m
- Marten de Roon (Atalanta) - £16.75m
Man United made the core of their squad the priority in the summer transfer window, bringing in one centre-back, two defensive midfielders, two versatile attacking midfielders and an exciting forward.
Antony was the biggest signing of the summer, with the Ajax winger reuniting with Ten Hag in a deal worth £68m. Josko Gvardiol signed to strengthen the defence.
Two new defensive midfielders were signed in Ibrahim Sangare and Marten de Roon to try and improve United's core. Some additional creativity was also added to the side, with Real Madrid's Marco Asensio and Borussia Dortmund's Thorgan Hazard signing to take the spending tally to £200m.
Transfers out: £23 million
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Fred (Al-Sadd) - £23 million
- Dylan Levitt (San Jose Earthquakes) - Free transfer
- Matej Kovar (Dukla Prague) - Free transfer
- Axel Tuanzebe (Al-Shabab) - Free transfer
- James Garner (West Brom) - Loan (£95k)
- Donny van de Beek (Inter) - Loan
Fred was sold to Saudi side Al-Sadd, with Axel Tuanzebe joining Al-Shabab. Young midfielder Dylan Levitt joined San Jose Earthquakes, with midfielders James Garner and Donny van de Beek both sent on loan for the season, with the duo yet to find a spot in Ten Hag's side. Interestingly, United couldn't get rid of players like Anthony Martial, who eventually ended up staying at the club.
So, how did United line up in their first game after the 2022/23 transfer window? Let's take a look.
United's starting XI at the beginning of the 2022/23 season predicted
In Ten Hag's first game after the end of the transfer window, United had four of their new signings start. Antony was deployed on the right, Sangare and De Roon started together in the double-pivot, whilst Gvardiol partnered Raphael Varane in defence.
United's line-up in the first game of the 2022/23 season was as follows: De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Gvardiol, Shaw; Sangare, De Roon; Antony, Fernandes, Sancho; Ronaldo.
Football Manager 2022 predicts United should be able to strengthen both their starting XI and their overall depth this summer, with a potential clear-out of ageing and out-of-favour players. But, with so many signings being made at the same time, it may take a while for the squad to gel, potentially handing United a disadvantage at the beginning of the campaign.
Would you be happy with these United transfers this summer? Let us know in the comments below!
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