The way forward for the Manchester United dugout stays relatively unsure, but for whoever is in cost at Outdated Trafford subsequent season, an overhaul of the present squad will definitely be wanted following what has been a colorless and disappointing marketing campaign on the entire.
Amid reviews that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co are keen to hearken to gives for nearly each member of the aspect – excluding the promising trio of Rasmus Hojlund, Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho – there might effectively be one thing of a mass exodus this summer time.
That potential raft of outgoings will then spark the necessity for a wave of high quality incomings in Manchester, with INEOS needing to showcase a change in tact within the switch market, following the years of malaise below the Glazer possession.
One space that will require strengthening is the full-back ranks, with the likes of Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia hampered by damage and with Aaron Wan-Bissaka having only a yr left on his present deal, leaving Diogo Dalot as maybe the one dependable choice on the flanks.
The Portuguese could possibly be set to obtain some welcome competitors this summer time if the Pink Devils get their means, amid reviews {that a} new right-back could possibly be on the agenda for the brand new United regime.
Man Utd eyeing Serie A sensation
In response to reviews in Italy earlier this week, as per Gazzetta.it, United could possibly be within the image to snap up Inter Milan star, Denzel Dumfries, with the Dutchman seemingly up for grabs with simply 12 months remaining on his present contract at San Siro.
The report signifies that the 28-year-old could possibly be out there for a payment within the area of €30m (£26m), making him a comparatively astute and inexpensive choice within the fashionable market – notably contemplating the Pink Devils splashed out £50m on Wan-Bissaka nearly 5 years in the past.
The suggestion is that it’s the participant himself who’s eager to make the soar to the Theatre of Goals, albeit with that swap more likely to be depending on whether or not his compatriot, Erik ten Hag, stays on the helm.
Having been a goal for United up to now, nonetheless, there could also be knowledge in pushing for Dumfries even when there’s a change in supervisor, with the flying wing-back boasting the credentials to dazzle within the Premier League.
Dumfries stats in 2023/24
Dumfries has been a central a part of Inter’s exceptional Serie A dominance this season, racking up three objectives and 5 assists within the league as Simone Inzaghi’s aspect swept the Scudetto.
That takes his complete to 30 objective involvements in 130 video games in all competitions for the Italian giants, having beforehand chalked up an identical return of 36 objectives and assists in 124 video games throughout his time at former membership, PSV Eindhoven.
The Pink Devils could also be cautious of snapping up one other determine with Eredivisie connections, however Dumfries’ attacking intent is trigger for pleasure, even when he has sometimes operated in a extra superior wing-back berth lately.
That freedom to bomb ahead at will has additionally seen the in-demand ace create six ‘massive possibilities’ this season, with Dalot, for example, creating solely 5 ‘massive possibilities’ within the Premier League, whereas the Inter star additionally ranks within the prime 12% amongst his European friends for assists per 90.
There could also be considerations over whether or not the Rotterdam native can adapt to a extra conventional full-back berth, though one answer might come up within the appointment of reported goal, Thomas Tuchel, with the German mentioned to be among the many contenders to switch Ten Hag this summer time.
The Bayern Munich boss did notably deploy a again 5 throughout his profitable stint at Chelsea, which gleamed a Champions League trophy, thus guaranteeing Dumfries might slot in comfortably within the Reece James position on the flank.
As Fabrizio Romano reported again in 2022, the Netherlands worldwide was really a goal for these at Stamford Bridge and was “appreciated” by Tuchel, having been described because the “precise profile” that the one-time Paris Saint-Germain boss needs by analyst Ryan Gunness.
Not then only a potential dream signing for Tuchel, Dumfries might additionally get the perfect out of 1 star presently at United, within the type of Hojlund.
How Dumfries might slot in at Man Utd
It is honest to say it has been a blended bag of a debut season for younger Hojlund, with the £72m arrival from Atalanta having scored simply eight league objectives to this point, as a part of 14 objectives in all competitions in complete.
For a 21-year-old to achieve that tally is hardly the worst return – notably when contemplating Dimitar Berbatov additionally solely scored 14 objectives in 2008/09 following his transfer from Tottenham Hotspur – however as United’s present primary man in assault, extra is actually wanted.
*(Signed in Jan 2004 – Scored 7 in 14 video games in 2003/04)
The largest subject has maybe been the dearth of service that the Dane has obtained, with The Athletic reporting that between 18 February and Hojlund’s objective towards Sheffield United final month, he had been restricted to only seven photographs.
Maybe a better profile striker ought to be capable to create possibilities for himself, alla Harry Kane, however Hojlund is in determined want of help from the flanks, one thing that has not been supplied with the likes of Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford and Antony sometimes slicing in on both wing.
Having an overlapping full-back or wing-back who’s a pure proper footer, like Dumfries, might actually assist to intensify the striker’s service, with Rio Ferdinand beforehand outlining the defender’s capability to create:
“He’s not placing balls in willy-nilly, he’s choosing individuals out, these cutbacks have been ever so harmful. ”
As his help file exhibits, Dumfries can pick his teammates with ease from the flanks, guaranteeing that Hojlund would have much more to work with – a scary prospect for a participant who’s a “monster within the making“, based on expertise scout Jacek Kulig.
With solely Bruno Fernandes (11) offering extra assists among the many United squad than the previous PSV man (six) has in all competitions in 23/24, there’s clear proof as to why his arrival may benefit United’s forwards and Hojlund particularly.
As such, whether or not or not Ten Hag stays in cost for one more season, Dumfries can be a worthy goal for Ratcliffe and co.
Associated
Man Utd now main the race for “quick” star who has identical agent as Hojlund
Ratcliffe means enterprise…