Manchester United is a mess.
Their coach even described them as “possibly the worst team in the club's history”. Ruben Amorim tried to walk back that day and blame his performance but his words on Sunday after the defeat to Brighton were unequivocal.
They sit 13th in the Premier League table and that's not a wrong position. The team lacks quality in all areas. This cannot be blamed on any one person – the gradual slide towards mediocrity began several years ago – but the current regime must take its share.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos Group took ownership of matters on the pitch when they bought a 27.7 per cent stake in United in December 2023.
Ratcliffe felt there was a lack of football knowledge within the club structure and proceeded to bring in the likes of Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox while former head coach Erik ten Hag was given a new contract after a humiliating search for a replacement.
Awesome summer window in 2024
The duo signed Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich for 60 million pounds, Lenny Euro from Lille for 52 million pounds, Joshua Zirkzee from Poland for 36.5 million pounds, and Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain for 42 million pounds. .
Five players for over £190m, and with the exception of Euros who has struggled with injuries and clearly has potential, it appears the money has been wasted.
None of them will get into the Liverpool team and none of them will get into the Arsenal team. It is debatable how many people will join United's best XI when everyone is fit.
So what now? Well, only Wilcox remains of the trio that oversaw the rebuild in the summer which is a positive and the main problem the club will face is trying to rid the squad of deadwood, most of whom are on huge wages.
United are unlikely to have much room to maneuver financially but here we have identified five players who we feel could make a difference.
1. Victor Osimhen
Rasmus Hoglund continues to look out from within. He is clearly not a number nine, as evidenced by his record of two goals in 17 Premier League appearances this season.
Napoli striker Osimhen almost joined Chelsea last summer, but with that last-minute move falling through, he was transferred on loan to Galatasaray for the 2024-25 season.
Napoli are said to be interested in United winger Alejandro Garnacho, and some form of swap deal would make sense for all parties.
Osimhen is said to have a break clause in his loan deal, meaning a January move, although complicated, is achievable.
2. Nuno Mendes
United struggled throughout the season on the left side of defence. Amorim plays in a 3-4-3 formation, a system that Mendes will thrive in given his athletic nature.
The Portugal international's contract expires in 18 months and he is likely to jump at the chance of a move to Old Trafford and a reunion with Amorim.
Might be a bargain for the summer.
3. Remnant clouds
United need a new goalkeeper with Andre Onana's performances becoming more erratic as the week goes on. Restis will need some time to adapt given that he is only 19 years old, but the Toulouse keeper is already considered the best young goalkeeper in France. He will not play in the French League for much longer.
If the price is right, a trade can be made 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. However, anyone who watched him play for his country at Euro 2024 would have been impressed. Real Madrid are unlikely to sell a player with great potential, but an 18-month loan move to Milan has been discussed. United need to step in quickly and persuade him to try his luck in England.
There is a deal to be done in January.
5. Joshua Kimmich
Kimmich's contract with Bayern Munich expires in the summer and his future remains uncertain. The smart money is on him staying at the Allianz Arena but he would be a perfect fit at Old Trafford. He can play a variety of positions, but perhaps most importantly, he will bring a winning mentality that is sorely lacking.
Given his contract situation, United could talk to Kimmich now, although it is almost certain that he will remain in Germany until the end of the season.
