As Manchester United continue their summer rebuild, they’ve started to shift attention away from the front three, as they look to reinforce a number of positions, with defensive midfield being of particular importance
Manchester United started the summer transfer window quickly, signing Matheus Cunha for £62.5 million, before pursuing Bryan Mbeumo, and while talks have stalled a bit lately, it seems inevitable that he will be a United player.
The two attacking midfield signings will replace Antony, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho, who all look set to leave the club after their loan spells away from Old Trafford.
Despite several forward outgoings, Jason Wilcox now appears to have turned his attention to a midfield signing, potentially due to the departure of Christian Eriksen, Casemiro’s inconsistency, and Mason Mount’s injury problems.
With United operating on a tight budget this summer, they will have to look for any deals they can get, and they have just inquired about a defensive midfielder, whose price has just been slashed.
United approach Davide Frattesi
Davide Frattesi’s future at Inter Milan is in doubt this summer, with clubs such as Manchester United, Tottenham and Atletico Madrid keeping tabs on the 25-year-old.
As reported by CaughtOffside, United have contacted Inter to clarify the possibility of a potential deal for Frattesi, who has been described as “relentless” but there have been no formal talks or negotiations as of yet.
The Italian international is taking his time to work out if he wants to leave the Milan side, though the club are ready to let him go, with the club lowering the asking price from £42 million to £30 million.
United and Tottenham are understood to be showing the strongest interest, but it remains to be seen if the player himself will be ready to move to English football.
Is Mainoo being forgotten?
It’s clear to see that United need depth across the pitch, as the whole team underperformed last season. With Ugarte and Casemiro both disappointing at times last season, it’s clear to see that defensive midfield is an area in need of improvement.
With Bruno Fernandes occupying one of the defensive midfield slots, it leaves just one spot available for Ugarte, Casemiro, potentially Frattesi, Toby Collyer and Kobbie Mainoo, with the 20-year-old expressing his desire to play as part of United’s midfield pairing rather than the front three.
While there were rumours of the Englishman leaving Old Trafford, they have died down as of late, with Mainoo expected to extend his stay at the club. If he doesn’t get much playing time however, there is still the chance that he pursues regular football elsewhere, and the club let another talented youngster slip through the cracks.
Mainoo has burst onto the scene in a very difficult period at the club, making his progress extremely challenging, but with some clarification on where he will be playing next season and his hard work to get back to full fitness, we could very well see much more from Mainoo next season.
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