Since Erik ten Hag took over as manager, Manchester United has moved decisively, and they will need to be even more ruthless when continuing their rebuild during the upcoming summer window.
In his first season, United sanctioned nine signings, some of which were on loans, but their primary goal was to address long-standing issues in the engine room. There are still problems, though, that Ten Hag needs to intervene in order to resolve along with that and the approaching hunt for a productive attacker.
After joining United from Real Madrid, Casemiro has had a remarkable effect. Should Ten Hag and other important individuals in the boardroom attempt the unthinkable and persuade Daniel Levy to sell out, Harry Kane, the captain of England, would undoubtedly help similarly in the offensive third.
Raphael Varane's addition to the mix would give United a spine that most, if not all, Premier League managers would envy. Ten Hag would have done fantastic business by adding such quality in two important areas over back-to-back summers. However, a dismal loss to Newcastle on Sunday afternoon at a boisterous St. James' Park raised additional concerns.
While Casemiro's value is obvious whenever he dons the United shirt, it is magnified when he is not listed on their team sheet due to on-field infractions. Casemiro was once again relegated to the stands as he continues to serve a four-match domestic suspension.
United have experimented with their midfield lineup whenever the Brazil powerhouse has been missing, or even before his arrival. However, they haven't yet been able to come up with a strategy that will allow them to function without perhaps their most crucial star.
Of course, most Premier League teams would be weaker in such a situation, but Ten Hag's problem is that he has no specialized backup.
While Christian Eriksen benefits from the latitude Casemiro gives him when acting as a deep-lying playmaker, Scott McTominay, Fred, Marcel Sabitzer, Bruno Fernandes, and even the absent Donny van de Beek are more at ease moving forward.
With Kane at the top of the list, United is reportedly moving forward with plans for a new striker, as well as a dynamic midfielder to support Casemiro in the long run, and quite possibly another right-back to cast doubt on the futures of Diogo Dalot and/or Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Harry Kane and one more important acquisition will naturally consume a sizable portion of the budget, but Ten Hag also needs to be adaptable to address issues with squad depth, and that may be where one or two high-profile departures can help by bringing in bonus money.
Without Casemiro, United falters, so they require a reliable defensive midfielder who can fill in for him and free up the other stated players to excel further up the field. If Anthony Martial leaves and Wout Weghorst returns to Burnley, backup for Kane also becomes crucial.
For when the market reopens, Ten Hag seems to have his major priorities in order. To ensure that United are not left short when undroppables suffer injuries or are suspended, the Dutchman must make sure he distributes his money fairly.
It's fine to let some minor players depart, but there needs to be a backup plan.
Post a Comment