Every summer, Manchester United fans fantasise about a distant utopia where money grows on trees and all of Sir Alex Ferguson’s issues disappear into thin air. However, every season, the Old Trafford merry-go-round pulls them back down to earth in a matter of months, scrutinising fresh recruits and demanding the manager’s resignation.
A new beginning inspires hope, but disappointment soon follows. The managerial carousel spins, rinses, and repeats. As the saying goes, it’s the hope that hurts – but once again, those watching the directors piece together a horror show at the Theatre of Dreams, with the latest chapter seeing them fall to their worst-ever Premier League finish, have been given a ray of hope thanks to this week’s takeover announcement.
Rumour has it that Saudi billionaire Turki Al-Sheikh has launched an offer for the Red Devils, with the Manchester Evening News saying that the Glazers are open to discussions starting at £5.2 billion. Saudi ownership has already done wonders, as Manchester City fans will attest, and the garden road may eventually lead United to the mirage-like nirvana that supporters have desired since 2013. In light of this news, we’ve considered how the squad may line up if enormous spending coincided with a takeover.
Keeper and Defence
The fact that Sir Jim Ratcliffe has guaranteed Ruben Amorim the entire term of his contract to demonstrate his ability to turn United’s fortunes around is a big source of concern, as they hold out hope for a lost cause. Regardless of any fresh investment, this might spell three more years in a 3-4-3 structure that is simply not effective.
However, new Saudi ownership may be significantly less lenient in other areas. Senne Lammens, who Amorim believes could be the best in the world in three years after helping the team to their first clean sheet of the season on his debut, could be replaced by two-time Yashin Trophy winner Emi Martinez, a custodian who has long been on the recruitment team’s radar and was linked with an Aston Villa exit in the summer.
Another possible change on defence may involve Marc Guehi, who has less than a year left on his contract. Landing him would be a significant coup for the Red Devils, especially if they can beat Liverpool and Real Madrid to his services, as they did with Leny Yoro, who is expected to progress with age under Matthijs de Ligt’s tutelage.
Midfield
If the new benefactors have any sense of direction, they will recognise that United’s most pressing need is to bolster its midfield. Bruno Fernandes is now playing too deep for Amorim to get the most out of him, and whoever starts alongside him – whether Manuel Ugarte or Casemiro – cannot be counted on to last the entire 90 minutes without making a reckless, costly mistake.
This is where Eduardo Camavinga could come in. The Frenchman is seeing less playing time at Real Madrid despite being elegant and defensively astute, capable of holding his own as a box-to-box midfielder or anchor. For United, it may be the ideal moment to swoop in and grab someone who can defend all areas of the pitch while allowing their captain to be creative.
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