Are Man Utd ready for the new season?

Karan Ahgun

— 3 min read
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Are Man Utd ready for the new season?

After a fairly good pre-season, which ended in a 4-2 defeat to AC Milan, there are questions whether Manchester United are ready for the start of the new Premier League season. They've only signed Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans so far this summer, and with time running out in the transfer window, fans are starting to feel agitated at the lack of transfer business the club are doing. So where do the team need reinforcements?

Michael Carrick did an excellent job in the second half of last season but everyone knew that if he was to kick on in the upcoming season, then he would need some major reinforcements to the squad to help tackle the Champions League as well as the Premier League. Midfield was the area that needed the most attention, with the increase in fixtures and the departure of Casemiro during the summer. So far, the club have addressed most of the midfield needs by bringing in Santos and Tielemans but they are missing an engine-type player in the middle of the park. This was evident in the pre-season game against AC Milan, especially when Santos was off the pitch. Whilst it was the first few minutes for Tielemans and Mainoo, it was evident that they lacked the athleticism and would struggle in the Premier League as a midfield pairing. There is still time to get a third midfielder and United are linked to Camavinga and Baleba, as well as Leicester City starlet, Louis Page. The first two are highly unlikely but it remains to be seen whether anything materials as we enter the Premier League season. (UPDATE - United are close to signing Baleba now !!!!)

Left back is another position of need for United. Last season was the first time that Luke Shaw had played in every single Premier League game but it's highly unlikely that he'll be able to replicate that again. With Champions League games and hopefully extended runs in the domestic cups, United need to sign another left back. Patrick Dorgu is not viewed as a left-back by Michael Carrick and Harry Amass is likely to leave on loan. At the moment, the club are linked to signing a left back but no one knows who they'll sign. Their top target is reported to be Lewis Hall but with Newcastle United having already sold so many players, that signing probably won't happen. There have also been strong link to Myles Lewis-Skelly but the Arsenal youngster doesn't want to leave North London. Finally, the club also have an interest in Spanish starlet, Jorge Salinas, who plays for Racing Santander and reportedly has a €16 million release clause.

So, are United ready for the new season? Going off the pre-season, they should be more than ready to face the first few weeks of the season - before the Champions League starts - but questions of depth in the midfield and defence will be asked once rotation starts to kick in. They should be aiming to finish in the top 5 comfortably, as well as a good showing in the Champions League and winning a domestic cup.

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