Manchester United is in chaos.
Even their coach described them as “perhaps the worst team in the club’s history.” Ruben Amorim tried to backtrack today and shift the blame onto his own performance, but his words on Sunday after the defeat to Brighton were clear.
They sit 13th in the Premier League table and that’s not a wrong position. The squad lacks quality in all areas. This cannot be blamed on anyone – the gradual descent towards mediocrity began several years ago – but the current situation must play its part.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos Group took responsibility for on-field affairs when they bought a 27.7 percent stake in United in December 2023.
Ratcliffe felt there was a lack of football knowledge within the club’s structure and brought in players such as Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox, while former head coach Erik ten Hag was given a new contract after an ignoble search for a replacement.
A terrible summer window in 2024
Together they approved the signing of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui for a total of £60m from FC Bayern Munich, Leny Yoro from Lille for £52m, Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna for £36.5m and Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain for 42 million pounds.
Five players for over £190m, and with the possible exception of Yoro, who has suffered from injuries and clearly has potential, it appears to have been a waste of money.
None of them would make the Liverpool team and none of them would make the Arsenal team. It is questionable how many would make it into United’s best team if everyone was fit.
So what now? Now, of the trio that oversaw the summer rebuild, only Wilcox remains, which is a positive, and the club’s main problem will be ridding the squad of the dead players, most of whom are on high salaries.
United are unlikely to have much financial flexibility, but here we’ve identified five players who we think could make a difference.
1. Victor Osimhen
Rasmus Hojlulnd continues to think outside the box. He’s clearly not exactly a number nine, as his tally of two goals in 17 Premier League games this season proves.
Napoli striker Osimhen almost moved to Chelsea last summer, but with that move falling through at the last minute, he was loaned out to Galatasaray for the 2024-25 season.
Napoli are reportedly interested in United winger Alejandro Garnacho and some sort of swap deal would make sense for all parties.
It is reported that Osimhen has a termination clause in his loan deal, meaning a move in January is complicated but feasible.
2. Nuno Mendes
United have struggled at left-back all season. Amorim plays a 3-4-3 system, a system that Mendes would thrive in given his natural athleticism.
The Portugal international’s contract expires in 18 months and he would likely jump at the chance to move to Old Trafford and reunite with Amorim.
Maybe a deal for the summer.
3. Guillaume stays
United need a new goalkeeper as Andre Onana’s performances become more erratic week by week. Restes will take time to adjust considering he is only 19 years old, but the Toulouse goalkeeper is already considered the best young goalkeeper in France. He won’t be playing in Ligue 1 much longer.
If the price is right, a deal could be completed in this window.
4. Arda Guler
The Turkish star has failed to secure a place at Real Madrid and coach Carlo Ancelotti appears unconvinced by the 19-year-old. But anyone who saw him play for his country at Euro 2024 would have been impressed. Madrid are unlikely to sell a player with so much potential, but an 18-month loan move to Milan has been discussed. United must intervene quickly and persuade him to try his luck in England.
A deal is expected to be completed in January.
5. Joshua Kimmich
Kimmich’s contract with FC Bayern Munich expires in the summer and his future remains uncertain. The smart money expects him to stay at the Allianz Arena, but he would fit in perfectly at Old Trafford. He can play in numerous positions, but perhaps more importantly, he brings a winning mentality that he sorely lacks.
Given his contract status, United could speak to Kimmich now, although he will almost certainly remain in Germany until the end of the season.
