Should go
Manchester United’s return to the Champions League means they need squad members who can cope with the playing in two elite competitions a week. Casemiro’s departure has been announced and he will not be the only one leaving. Tyrell Malacia’s existence has often been forgotten over the past four years, the left-back having made 27 league appearances, so he will not be missed when his contract expires in June.
His Dutch compatriot Joshua Zirkzee is another who has not lived up to expectations, looking like a striker with neither the ability nor desire to score consistently. He is certainly not a traditional No 9 and there is no obvious role for him. Five goals in 54 league appearances is not a great reflection on someone leading the line. Michael Carrick has been reluctant to use him, leaving him on the bench against Leeds despite chasing the game. Zirkzee was given a chance at Sunderland last Saturday but did nothing to change anyone’s mind about his long-term prospects.
Manuel Ugarte’s £50m price tag has weighed heavily on the Uruguayan, who has never got up to speed in England. Behind Casemiro and the resurgent Kobbie Mainoo, his cameos under Carrick have not given the impression he could be a long-term replacement for the Brazilian and this feels a good time to plot a move, although money will inevitably be lost.
It is never easy being a second-choice goalkeeper but Altay Bayindir always looked an unlikely understudy. He ousted André Onana at the start of the season but that was more down to the Cameroonian’s flaws then anything Bayindir did. A mistake against Arsenal on the opening day was tricky to recover from and a return to Turkey looks likely.
The possibility of the senior professionals out on loan returning to Old Trafford is slight. Marcus Rashford won La Liga with Barcelona but whether he stays at the Camp Nou is up in the air, and reintegration at United is the least likely outcome. Jadon Sancho, who will be out of contract, and Onana have no futures in Manchester, and Rasmus Højlund will almost certainly stay with Napoli.
Mason Mount and Matthijs de Ligt come into a grey area. The former is dependable but does not obviously fit the system, and the latter’s back injury is a cause for concern, De Ligt having not played since November.
Should stay
The list of people who cannot leave has grown considerably since last summer, when pretty much everyone was available for sale at the right price. Senne Lammens, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha joined and impressed almost immediately, and Benjamin Sesko has grown into an integral member of the squad.
The football writers’ men’s player of the year, Bruno Fernandes, was at his best, whether holding together Amorim’s team or driving United forward under Carrick. His experience alongside Harry Maguire is key in a relatively young squad. Luke Shaw becoming an ever-present was not on anyone’s bingo card last summer but his fitness has been a great boost, and Tom Heaton’s homegrown qualification is vital, despite the goalkeeper having entered his fifth decade.
Amad Diallo, Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven and Patrick Dorgu have made progress, and a fit Lisandro Martínez is another valuable asset.
What is needed
Central midfield will be the focus of transfer business as United seek greater depth. Elliot Anderson is very high on the agenda but Manchester City are regarded as favourites to acquire him from Nottingham Forest, and Atalanta’s Ederson, Real Madrid’s Aurélien Tchouaméni, Brighton’s Carlos Baleba and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton are also in contention.
Regardless of Maguire staying, a centre-back should be sought, especially with the concerns over De Ligt’s fitness. Forest’s Murillo would be a sensible option, and Micky van de Ven may have become bored of relegation battles with Spurs. Both have learned the complexities of managing domestic and European football this season, which is advantageous.
Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot have not pulled up many trees, which may result in refreshing the full-back areas. West Ham’s left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf is a potential target.
Another goalkeeper may be part of the thinking but Radek Vitek is likely to return from his successful Bristol City loan as No 2, which would free up funds.
With Zirkzee not good enough, finding another forward would be ideal. The conundrum is whether to get a more typical No 9, in a similar mould to Sesko, or someone who will add variety. Real Sociedad’s Ander Barrenetxea is a name being thrown around in certain circles and the winger would bring a very different profile.