Although Manchester United have improved this season under Erik ten Hag, in order to close the gap on Manchester City, they must get it right this summer. However, the entirety of their problems may not be fixable through transfers alone.
United’s away form against top-half clubs has been dire, and it is crucial that they fix this in order to achieve a higher-placed finish next season. When Ten Hag’s men play away from home against capable opposition, they struggle, and oftentimes, capitulate.
The Reds have taken only four points from 27 available to them on the road this season against top-half opposition, with three of those coming against Fulham courtesy of a last-minute winner. United leaked six at the Etihad and seven without reply at Anfield.
The Reds went into those games on good form with confidence high but were given a stern reality check on both occasions. However, the manner of the losses didn’t surprise some. Graeme Souness labelled the 7-0 drubbing away to Liverpool as ‘not out of character’ given United’s track record.
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Away at Brentford in game week two, United’s first away fixture of the campaign, they lost 4-0, all of the goals coming in the first half. Many of United’s players this season featured heavily during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick’s reign last season, where they found themselves on the end of similar thrashings to the same teams: Brentford, City and Liverpool.
Although the overall attitude and application of the team is better, Ten Hag must eliminate the humiliations that the club find themselves on the wrong end of season after season.
In contrast, Manchester United’s performance at Old Trafford this season has been good, winning all but four games at home. 48 points from a possible 57 represents a significant improvement from the season before, where they only amassed 35.
If Ten Hag solidifies his team in the big games away from home, United will stand a greater chance at pushing Manchester City next season. However, for United to get closer to City, new signings must be made.
It is common knowledge by now that the priority is a world-class centre forward, a position United haven’t occupied effectively since Robin Van Persie was at the club a decade ago. The interest in England captain, Harry Kane, is no secret, with the 29-year-old out of contract next summer.
Kane is the preference for many United fans given his Premier League experience and long- standing desire to break Alan Shearer’s goalscoring record but his age means there are some doubters. However, Tottenham have made it clear that they don’t intend to sell their star man, especially not to a Premier League rival. According to Sky, Spurs’ stance on Kane means that clubs are reluctant to make formal offers for the player.
A large section of United fans would rather the club direct their attention toward Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen. The Napoli centre forward won the Serie a top scorer as well as the striker of the season award. The Nigerian is five years younger than Harry Kane, meaning his return on investment may be slightly higher.
Another position which Manchester United have made a priority is centre back. Lisandro Martinez, one of Erik Ten Hag’s first signings, has proven a success this season, despite doubts at the start of the season regarding his height.
United are now said to have set their sights set on Kim Min-Jae, Napoli centre back and the recently awarded Serie A defender of the season. The South Korean has a release clause of €50million, drawing interest from Newcastle, PSG and Chelsea as well as United. He is currently one of the most sought-after defenders in Europe and will likely leave Napoli this summer but no one is quite sure where he’ll end up just yet.
A transfer which appears to be in rather advanced stages is Mason Mount to Old Trafford. The Chelsea midfielder is out of contract in a year’s time and is a target for Ten Hag. United are expected to make a bid for the England international soon, but the valuation of the player is not yet agreed upon by both clubs.
United should be reluctant to overpay for Mount, drawing on lessons learnt from previous signings like Harry Maguire and Jadon Sancho. Mount is one of a few names on Manchester United’s list of midfield targets, but he alone won’t get the club to Manchester City’s level.
Casemiro needs backup, as when he is out of the team, the gulf in quality is huge. The same applies for Bruno Fernandes who has nobody pushing him for a starting place. United felt the effects of a small squad this season, exiting the Europa League in the quarter-final to Sevilla, after Ten Hag’s first-choice centre-back pairing weren’t available.
Maguire and Lindelöf stepped in for Martinez and Varane, and the drop-off was huge. Neither Bruno Fernandes nor Marcus Rashford played that game either and United failed to score with their understudies.
Manchester United’s away form and squad size will be the deciding factors on how successful they are next season. The Premier League moves on quickly, and if they don’t recruit well, they will be left behind.
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