Like football fans across the world during every transfer window, Manchester United supporters have been closely monitoring the club’s transfer activity to see which new players could arrive at Old Trafford. However, with Manchester United’s business in the transfer market remaining limited so far, there are growing concerns about the club’s ambition for the new season. So, why is the lack of significant transfer activity a worrying sign for Manchester United?
It is easy to get carried away by United’s third place finish in the English premier league last season and secured Champions League football under Michael Carrick and think the team are in the best position, but as in ever other situation, context matters a lot and we will get to that in just a moment .
Any follower of the EPL, and Manchester United, over the years would agree that further additions are needed if they are to challenge for the Premier League title. The club have some promising quality in their squad but greater depth will improve their chances of competing for major trophies this season (emphasis on trophies). Depth not just in numbers, but also in quality.
Midfield, for example, has been improved with the signings of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, which means United can now call on those two in addition to Kobbie Mainoo and last year’s FWA player of the season Bruno Fernandes.
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But Manuel Ugarte is out until 2027 and Mason Mount, excellent as he is, cannot be relied upon. That means United only really have four options to play in midfield. Contrast that perhaps with Arsenal, who can call upon Bruno Guimaraes, Declan Rice, Miles Lewis-Skelly, Martin Zubimendi, Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino.
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The quality is obvious. Arsenal are aiming to retain their title this season, which means if United have anything close to ambitions of winning the title, then they should be aiming to have a midfield to, if not match that, then at least be able to compete with it.
The alternative would be to have elsewhere in the squad, such as defence or attack, that can surpass Arsenal’s midfield. United cannot realistically claim to have that.
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One midfielder the club should be targeting for example is Lille midfielder Ayoub Bouaddi, who has been linked to neighbours Manchester City. Bringing in a player like Bouaddi would satisfy United’s need for a midfielder with a physical profile but also excellent on the ball.
In an ideal summer, recruiting a talented left-back would also be a move that signals intent. They would need to be a player superior to current options in Luke Shaw or Patrick Dorgu, or indeed either of Noussair Mazaroui or Diogo Dalot, who have been played there in the past.
Of course, one claim could be that United are aiming to build gradually rather than challenge for the title. But perhaps this has been a major problem for the club over the past 13 years. United, with the quality and cost of players they have shown they can still sign, should be aiming directly to win the league.
The club cannot demonstrate such lack of ambition as to be trapped in talk of transition and rebuilding for over a decade. They need to start thinking of winning, and the first step is recruitment, both in depth and quality.
