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Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick was promised a midfield revamp in the summer, and INEOS have completed two-thirds of the assignment.
Andrey Santos was signed from Chelsea in double-quick time, with the club’s co-owners delighted with the overall cost of the deal.
Youri Tielemans was an astute purchase as the Red Devils triggered his release clause, a move not too many people saw coming.
Both the Brazilian and the Belgian can occupy the No.6 role, but they remain fluid options capable of oscillating between the defensive midfield and central midfield positions.
United still need that specialist defensive midfielder
What the 20-time English league champions need to complete the planned overhaul is an out-and-out physical destroyer who is capable of covering space and shielding the backline.
With Aurelien Tchouameni seemingly out of the equation and a deal for Elliot Anderson not materialising, United have been linked with moves for the likes of Roma’s Manu Koné, Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga in recent days.
However, The Guardian has claimed that each of these deals will cost in the region of £60 million to £80 million, which means a move for any of the aforementioned players looks unlikely as of now.
“After signing Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans this week for a combined initial £82m, United remain intent on adding a third midfielder.
Rising costs force United to change their stance
“Michael Carrick is an admirer of Roma’s Manu Koné, Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga but each player’s asking price of £60m-£80m means a move for any of them is viewed as unlikely.”
This update directly corroborates what The Peoples Person had relayed recently about United being unlikely to spend big on a third midfielder, with the club set to focus on player sales next.
This might all be an elaborate ruse to allow the market to cool down before United attempt deals later on in the window to force the selling club’s hand.
Player sales the current focus for United
Only time will tell if that is indeed the ploy. It must be remembered that the Old Trafford side have been slow when it comes to player sales so far, with Rasmus Hojlund the only significant departure (even that was an obligation).
Marcus Rashford’s sale might open up the chance to land Crysencio Summerville, while surprise sales are also not out of the question now that Manuel Ugarte is going nowhere. This explains why Lisandro Martinez and Noussair Mazraoui have been linked with an exit in recent days.
Feature image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images
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