Online Reporter
MANCHESTER UNITED players will report for pre-season training in two weeks and there is every chance a new arrival will not be among them.
That is hardly cause for panic. The reality is one deal is all but done (Ederson) and there is a quiet confidence that Mateus Fernandes will be the second midfield incoming. United’s market activity tends to ramp up in July. Two years ago, Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro signed within four days of each other with United’s pre-season already underway. Last year, Bryan Mbeumo joined just in time to board the club’s flight to Chicago for their three-game tour of the United States.
United have ample seniority for their first two lesser friendlies against Wrexham in Helsinki on July 18 and Rosenborg in Trondheim on July 24. Michael Carrick could field a starting XI of Tom Heaton, Yoro, Harry Maguire, Ayden Heaven, Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Jack Fletcher, Mbeumo, Zirkzee, Patrick Dorgu and Benjamin Sesko. The key first “deadline” is August 9. That is when United will start their week-long training camp in Dublin with a full squad.
Here is where United are up to with their market movements:
Ederson
United agreed a £35m deal with Atalanta for Ederson last month and the transfer will be formally announced in July. Well-placed United sources expect the move to be finalised after Brazil’s World Cup campaign is over. Ederson was not included in Carlo Ancelotti’s original 26-man squad but replaced the injured Wesley at the 11th hour. Had Ederson, 26, not been on international duty then he would have concluded his move to United by now.
Mateus Fernandes
Patience is required with any move for a West Ham player amid the total disarray at the Championship club. Karen Brady stepped down as vice-chair just before the end of the season, David Sullivan resigned as chairman over serious historic allegations and Daniel Křetínský is about to step in as majority owner. It is safe to assume Fernandes will not be hanging around in the second tier, having left relegated Southampton for West Ham last year. Real Madrid expect Fernandes to join United and Arsenal cooled their interest in the Portugal international. Tottenham have been linked with Fernandes but sources have doubted the seriousness of their purported interest.
Alex Scott and Carlos Baleba
Scott and Baleba are viewed as attainable options if United have the funds to move for a third midfielder. United have tracked Bournemouth midfielder Scott for several months and enquired about Baleba last summer, only to be told by Brighton he was valued at £100m.
Any move for either depends on whether United can shift Manuel Ugarte. The club are prepared to accept a small loss on Ugarte under the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules after the £40m sale of Alejandro Garnacho to Chelsea last year. Academy sales count as pure profit and United also resisted any spending in the winter transfer window.
Left-hand side
United are open-minded about whether to go for a left winger or a left back. Luke Shaw started every Premier League game last season, his first at United without ever sustaining an injury.
However, Shaw is out of contract next year. The increased workload, with Champions League football back on the calendar, increases the risk of injury for Shaw, who turns 31 next month.
Striker
The midfield and left flank are United’s priorities but a more competent forward to support Sesko is also essential.
Goalkeeper
United were always going to be in the market for a new goalie this summer and Lammens’ form has ensured it will be a back-up.
Tom Heaton’s new one-year contract has maintained continuity in the United goalkeeping department and Heaton has a close relationship with Lammens. —Sun.
