Could This Be Manchester United's Third Midfield Signing? | Danyal Khan Exclusive
The Premier League season is less than two weeks away and Manchester United are far from finished in the transfer market... We're joined by Sky Sports Danyal Khan to discuss all things Manchester United ahead of the new season, including a new centre-midfielder, left-back options and how Marcus Rashford fits in Michael Carrick's plans. Check out the Opta Analyst website: https://theanalyst.com/ 📬 Sign up for the Opta Analyst Newsletter here for free: https://theanalyst.com/sign-up Follow Opta Analyst: Twitter: https://x.com/OptaAnalyst Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theoptaanalyst Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/optaanalyst/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@optaanalyst QUESTION - Have a question about a player or data? Drop it in the comments! manchesterunited manutd premierleague
Transcript
With the Premier League season just around the corner, Manchester United fans will be hoping to see more signings to build on the success under Michael Carrick. But, what's the latest? We're joined by Sky Sports United correspondent Daniel Khan to find out more. Daniel, thank you very much for joining us. How are you? >> Yeah, very good, Jordan. Uh season is really starting, it feels like, with a few weeks to go until, especially Manchester United's first game away to Hull. So, that buzz is already here, already in and around the team a little bit. You know, I've a few interviews in the next few weeks to do with some of the players. So, looking forward to seeing, especially, what the mood is like around Manchester United and Michael Carrick's team. >> I think the mood's positive. I mean, United have played well in pre-season. Maybe the fans want to see one or two more signings. Can you tell us the latest on that? >> Yeah, look, after Manchester United ended last season on such a positive, when you look at that 6 months in charge of Michael Carrick, you know, beating so many huge teams in the league, there was a lot of optimism going into the off-season. And I don't think what really helped with that was where the club at Manchester United being linked to, for example, in midfield, some of the biggest midfielders in the Premier League, the likes of your Aurelien Tchouameni, who, in true reality, Manchester United were never going to be in that race. Once Manchester City bid, you know, around 100 million plus, you know, to start the negotiations, Manchester United were out of that race. They're trying to build a squad, not just of quality, but of depth as well, now they're back in the Champions League. And to me, the most important thing for this United team is to sustain Champions League involvement following, you know, back-to-back seasons. So, look, I think, uh to answer your question in short, they are still looking potentially at a midfielder and or a left back. And I think that's what we'll see most likely in the closing weeks of the window. >> Yeah, a midfielder and a left back are the two that United fans have probably heard most about over the summer. Especially even more now with the concerns over Mason Mount's fitness. Where are they at with those two positions? >> Look, Manchester United did sign two midfielders. Yes, Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte. You know, Casemiro left in the summer, Manuel Ugarte looked like he was going to going to go through the exit door, unfortunately suffered an injury in the World Cup in the summer, but they do have Youri Tielemans now, Andre Santos, Kobbie Mainoo as three options just there. And then you also have someone like Mason Mount as you mentioned who, look, I think he'll be fine. He looked like after the game walking back to the team bus absolutely fine. Michael Carrick said it was precautionary, and of course they will be because of his injury record in the last few years. So, he is definitely a viable option in midfield. They're also looking at the teenager Louie Page at Leicester City, 18 years old, who, look, actually has that potential third midfielder. I don't think is the, you know, a terrible option, someone who can come in and out, especially in the cup games cuz that's what you're looking at really, someone to come in and have some of those minutes. That might be the right profile of that third midfield signing of the summer. But, look, I think left back behind Luke Shaw, I mean, we know his, first of all, if you're going to talk about his injury record, amazing achievement for him to play 38 Premier League games last season, but just firmly at his age, he's not going to be able to play three games a week. That is not sustainable throughout season. So, they absolutely need a left back rather than relying on the versatility of Noussair Mazraoui, Diogo Dalot. Look, I think Patrick Dorgu's long-term position, it's been suggested to me that that could be a left back, but I don't think that's quite going to be right away this season. So, I think a left back is absolutely something they're looking at. >> Obviously, it's no secret United are big fans of Lewis Hall, but it looks like he's one of those players out of their price range. Who are some of the cheaper alternatives United are looking at? >> Yeah, I think Manchester United are in a bit of a, you know, not tricky situation, but I think they have to make a decision. Do they look for, you know, a not short-term fix, but short-to-medium fix at left back, someone who you do a job over two, three seasons rather than, you know, what Lewis Hall represents is you spend big money, but he can be a left back for potentially eight to 10 years, right? If you that move is successful, a bit like Luke Shaw despite his injury record, but when they signed him from Southampton, that was the vision, right? Um so, I think Manchester United trying to decide whether they look for that type of profile. I think regardless of age and how long-term of a fixture is, I think they want an attacking left back, almost someone that is somewhat like a winger who shares similar traits and qualities. Anthony Robinson is someone I know is on their list, for example, but he's a different profile in terms of age. Might be a slightly cheaper option, but, you know, he also suffered with injuries sporadically last season. So, I think they're still deciding. They're going to see how the market evolves over the next few weeks and and then make their decision, but at this moment in time, doesn't seem like Manchester United are in too much of a rush. >> Look, we have to ask you about Marcus Rashford. He's obviously back with the squad now, a new number. How do you see that one playing out? Cuz he obviously does give United a strong attacking option. >> Talking about Marcus Rashford, I mean, this isn't going to be the last time we speak about him, Jordan. I think he's going to essentially be the talking point up until deadline day, just because it's such a unique situation. Great player, of course, um in terms of what he can offer offensively. 87 goals for Manchester United in the Premier League, you know, when you look at all time, I think he's 10 away from breaking into the top 10 of Manchester United's history. So, he's someone who can score goals. The only thing I would say is I just don't think we've seen it, you know, over a sustained period of time often enough outside of that 6 months after the World Cup in 2022. So, look, for Marcus Rashford, he he can't hope to have had a have a better coach than Michael Carrick. Someone who knows him as a player and as a coach having been part of Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's coaching staff. But, the question is can Marcus Rashford, you know, do it on a sustained basis?