​The transfer window is in full swing, and as usual, rumours about Manchester United’s incomings and outgoings are being shared at a frantic pace. Yet United have not officially signed a single player, and with the club preparing to compete on four fronts next season, there is a clear need for several additions. It is believed the Red Devils are targeting at least two central midfielders, a left winger, and a left back. Andrey Santos is expected to be one of the central midfielders the club recruits, with his arrival from Chelsea thought to be imminent, though there are emerging doubts about whether his Brazilian teammate Ederson will also join Old Trafford.
With substantial work still required to bulk out the squad, United must act shrewdly in the market. This is where an academy graduate could prove to be a masterstroke by providing cover for Luke Shaw next season. Shaw enjoyed what was arguably his finest season in United’s colors last term. The injury troubles that have plagued much of his career now seem behind him, and, remarkably, he was the only Red Devil to start every Premier League game. He rewarded his form with a goal against Nottingham Forest near the end of the campaign and could count himself unlucky not to be included in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad.
Nevertheless, the extra fixtures generated by United’s impending return to the Champions League next season will pose a challenge for the England international, who will need to share the load. United had been linked with Lewis Hall, a talented option, but Newcastle would likely demand a hefty fee, and given the many other areas of the squad that require improvement, such an outlay would be ill-placed at this time.
There is no doubt that central midfield is United’s most urgent area for improvement. With Casemiro departing on a free transfer and Manuel Ugarte sadly sidelined by a serious World Cup injury, Kobbie Mainoo is currently the club’s only senior central midfielder. Santos will help plug this hole to an extent, but with the Ederson deal seemingly on the verge of collapse, the Red Devils will need to bring in at least one—and ideally two—more central midfielders to Old Trafford.
Given the importance of the position and the lack of depth in that area, United should allocate the majority of their funds to strengthening the midfield. Signing a left back to challenge Shaw may seem a luxury the club cannot afford right now. Fortunately, there could already be a solution within the ranks. Harry Amass impressed last season while on loan at Sheffield Wednesday in the first half of the campaign, where the youngster claimed back-to-back player of the month awards. He then moved to Norwich for the second half of the season, signaling that the academy might offer a ready-made option to bolster the squad without imposing a large transfer fee.