With six players out of contract in the summer and a handful tipped to leave, Manchester United could be set for a major squad overhaul in the upcoming transfer window.
The 2021-22 season has been a poor one for United, with Ralf Rangnick's side unable to win any trophies and currently outsiders in the race for the top four. United's most recent defeat was to Liverpool in a 4-0 battering, with their rivals beating United 9-0 on aggregate over both Premier League games this season.
Liverpool have been praised by many for how they rebuilt their squad over the last few years to become one of the best sides in world football, and it seems if United want to get back to the top, a big rebuild is needed. Ajax boss Erik ten Hag looks likely to take over as United manager for the 2022-23 campaign, and he's expected to bring a few new faces to United next season.
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So, if Ten Hag was to become the new United boss, which players could he bring to the club to replace the heap of outgoings? And how will the United squad look following the summer transfer window? To find out, we simulated the upcoming summer transfer window to see which players Ten Hag could sign this summer.
Manchester United's 2022 summer transfer window simulated
We used Football Manager 2022 to run the simulation, appointing Ten Hag as the United manager and releasing Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Juan Mata, Edinson Cavani, Lee Grant, Phil Jones and Jesse Lingard. This is what happened.
Transfers in: £195 million
- Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Lazio) - £93m
- Darwin Nunez (Benfica) - £50m
- Arthur (Juventus) - £43.5m
- Max Kilman (Wolves) - £8m
- Jamie Bynoe-Gittens - Free transfer
- Jesus Corona - Free Transfer
In the summer transfer window simulation, United spent a total of £195m on six new players. The biggest signing of the lot was Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, with the Serbian midfielder signing from Lazio for a whopping £93m. Darwin Nunez was the second-biggest signing at £50m, with the exciting forward signed to add competition to the United frontline.
A second central midfielder was signed in Arthur, with the Brazilian arriving from Juventus for £43m. And the last player signed for a fee was Max Kilman, with the young defender signing from Wolves for £8m to add depth to the United defence.
Youngster Jamie Bynoe-Gittens arrived on a free transfer on the expiry of his contract with Borussia Dortmund, whilst Jesus Corona also arrived on a free transfer after being released by Sevilla. So, after a summer of new signings, who was let go from the United squad?
Transfers out (selected): £56 million
- Anthony Martial (Inter Milan) - £21m
Axel Tuanzebe (Napoli) - £17.5m
Eric Bailly (Lille) - £11m
- Andreas Pereira (Udinese) - £2.9m
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Ethan Laird (Fulham) - £2.7m (potentially rising to £4m)
- Di'Shon Bernard (Blackburn Rovers) - £550k
- Dylan Levitt (Blackburn Rovers) - Free transfer
- Reece Devine (Bournemouth) - Free transfer
- Facundo Pellistri (Middlesbrough) - Loan
- Shola Shoretire (Middlesbrough) - Loan
- Hannibal Mejbri (Coventry) - Loan
- Amad (Bristol City) - Loan
- Brandon Williams (Crystal Palace) - Loan
United made a total of £56m in player sales in the 2022 simulated summer transfer window, with the majority of that coming from two big player sales. Martial departed United for Inter Milan for £21m, whilst Axel Tuanzebe's loan at Napoli was made permanent for £17.5m.
In addition to Martial, Ten Hag used the transfer window to get rid of the likes of Eric Bailly, Andreas Pereira and Ethan Laird all on permanent deals. Facundo Pellistri, Shola Shoretire, Hannibal Mejbri, Amad and Brandon Williams all departed the club on loan deals.
Following the end of the 2022 summer transfer window, this is the starting XI that Ten Hag selected: (4-2-3-1) De Gea; Corona, Lindelof, Varane, Shaw; Milinkovic-Savic, Arthur; Sancho, Fernandes, Rashford; Nunez.
Four of United's summer signings started in the game following the closure of the summer transfer window, with Nunez starting ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo up top. Arthur and Milinkovic-Savic were both deployed in the midfield roles, whilst Corona started at right-back.
Nunez and Milinkovic-Savic both scored whilst Corona grabbed an assist as United won 3-1. Where do you think United could finish with this team next season? And would you be happy with a window like this in the summer?
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