Managerial change has “significantly” weakened Manchester United’s chances of bombshell summer transfer

Manchester United will be looking to do a lot of business in the summer transfer window to strengthen Ruben Amorim’s squad.

Manchester United were only able to secure one major signing for Rúben Amorim during the January transfer window last month.

Patrick Dorgu joined the club from Italian club Lecce for a reported £25 million fee, the Reds also signed youth star Ayden Heaven from Arsenal for around £1.5 million.

Otherwise, the majority of business to improve Amorim’s squad has been marked for the summer, where there will be more funds and options in the market.

Despite a striker being the main priority, United may have to reevaluate their situation at the back following Lisandro Martínez’s ACL injury.

Managerial change significantly weakens United’s chances of signing Branthwaite

Jarrad Branthwaite is a player that was close to joining United last summer and reports have regularly suggested that he’s a player the club would go back in for.

Everton’s ownership problems seemed like the English defender would be available in the summer and with United’s own left-footed centre-back struggling, it felt like they could re-visit the situation.

Branthwaite agreed personal terms with the Old Trafford outfit last summer but Everton refused to budge on their £70 million price tag.

However, since then, their ownership situation has been resolved and David Moyes has re-joined the Merseyside club and started brilliantly.

The ex-United manager has won three, drawn once and lost another in the Premier League since he returned to Goodison Park and Branthwaite is very happy working under him.

In fact, a report from GiveMeSport has explained that Everton are “increasingly confident” that the centre-back will not be leaving when the summer transfer window comes around.

It was claimed that Branthwaite is “very happy” working under Moyes and that has “significantly strengthened” Everton’s position with the player’s future.

United must look to Academy to strengthen certain areas

Even without the injury of Martínez, United would likely need to strengthen at the back due to the likely departures of Victor Lindelöf and Jonny Evans in the summer.

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Heaven will be able to provide important depth and United could also look to their Academy for further depth in the backline, with players like Godwill Kukonki on the edge of the first-team.

United will need to think about which positions they want to strengthen significantly and then look for cheaper solutions in the other roles.

The Academy at Carrington has produced some great players over the years but United have not used it enough to fill squad roles in recent years.

Rather than signing a back-up, who is likely only going to start 15-20 games a season, for £20 million, it would be smarter to save that money for a more important role while looking to the youth system for a player who can start to contribute.

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