Where do Manchester United need to strengthen in the summer?

Manchester United have had yet another disappointing season. They sit way below where they want to be in the league, they’ve had another year without Champions League football, and they’ve had yet another managerial change. But one thing has stayed the same for a while now - the squad needs a rebuild.

Issues up front

The last great, long-term forward Manchester United had was Wayne Rooney, and he left the club in 2017. Since then, United have seesawed between short-term success like Zlatan Ibrahimovic or the brief return of Cristiano Ronaldo and expensive prospects that haven’t worked out like Anthony Martial and, more recently, Rasmus Hojlund. Ruben Amorim’s side need a proper striker, and options are limited, particularly with the increasing likelihood of hot property Viktor Gyokeres joining Arsenal in the summer. An option could be Victor Osimhen, who the club have shown an interest in, but will be in a battle with Real Madrid for his signature. Otherwise, a long-shot option could be Harry Kane. The world-class striker has played down rumours of a Premier League return, but just like we saw with the return of CR7, never say never.

A lack of creativity in the midfield

Bruno Fernandes is brilliant, but he can’t run the United midfield on his own. The Kobbie Mainoo hype seems to have gone away, the prospect that is Toby Collyer isn’t quite ready just yet despite showing some promise in his six league appearances, and Christian Eriksen has already expressed a desire to leave the club in the summer. United need a creative spark in midfield to partner the leadership and control of Fernandes, as well as the box-to-box ability of Mainoo. Aleix Garcia could be an option. The 27-year-old only joined Bayer Leverkusen from Girona last year, but with Leverksen failing to replicate their success from last season, it wouldn’t be out of the realms of possibility for any of their players to move on. Garcia offers you a lot in midfield, he can move between boxes but also has the playmaking ability. Another younger option is Adam Wharton. Like Osimhen, Wharton has been linked with a move to Real Madrid, but the Crystal Palace midfielder could choose to remain in England and be the centrepiece of a Manchester United team looking to return to the top.

A player like Jonny Evans, but better

In terms of central defenders, United have more options than they had a few years ago. Harry Maguire has improved, Leny Yoro looks a good talent, and Matthijs de Ligt adds some experience despite still being fairly young as centre backs go. But one centre back that has offered the team real experience in recent years has been Jonny Evans. The now 37-year-old has still got it, being slotted into the starting XI when required and doing what he can, but a team as prestigious as Manchester United shouldn’t be relying on a 37-year-old to run the defence, especially in a back three which Amorim insists on playing. United spent a lot of last summer chasing the signature of Jarrad Branthwaite, and I think they should continue that chase this summer. Everton’s unit of a defender is one of the best young defenders in the league, and United would be silly not to try and bring him in to really bolster their defensive options. If Branthwaite came in and was successful, he could be starting in that United defence for a decade, and would mean players like Jonny Evans aren’t required anymore.