Manchester United have to consider signing another player for Rúben Amorim’s system; he only has one currently, who he is set to lose.
The January transfer window represents a brilliant opportunity for Manchester United, especially if they can continue their good run of form going into the new year. After 10 games, Rúben Amorim’s side sit just two points behind second-placed Manchester City.
After Christmas, United must consider signing players in the January transfer window who could make an immediate impact on the senior side, unlike the young players they are currently targeting.
United have been linked with several positions, none more so than a central midfielder. Carlos Baleba was the main target in the summer, but Jason Wilcox’s attention now appears to have turned to Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson.
Anderson would be an excellent partner for Bruno Fernandes, replacing Casemiro in the midfield, but it could limit United to just one signing. A midfield transfer is crucial, but there are several other positions Amorim could use for the second half of the season.
If Joshua Zirkzee leaves the club, a new centre-forward signing would be seriously beneficial, unless Amorim wants to consider using Chido Obi. The African Cup of Nations could also force United into signings in other positions.
United must consider Amad-like signing
From December 21 until the end of January, United could be without Amad, Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui. While Mbeumo has been crucial to Amorim since his summer signing, the biggest miss could be Amad, due to his unique profile.
The left-footed right-wing-back scored his first goal of the season against Nottingham Forest and has begun to form a brilliant partnership with Mbeumo on the right side. The only other right-wing-back in the squad is Diogo Dalot, who has seriously struggled this campaign.
Patrick Dorgu can also play on the right side, but he has performed much better on the left side since his move from Lecce. Therefore, United must consider signing another right-wing-back in January to replace Amad during his AFCON campaign.
Signing another natural winger, who will play at wing-back, will allow Amorim to continue playing the same way, with the same dynamics, despite missing two of his key players. United have been linked with young wing-back options, but a more senior player could help United continue their good run of form.
A tough profile to find
While it’s clear a backup for Amad is needed, a left-footed right-wing-back, who is a natural winger, is not an easy profile to find, although Bendito Mantato – an academy player in United’s youth setup – is a perfect example.
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Dwight McNeil – currently out of favour at Everton – has played as both a winger and full-back before, and is a left-footed option, but the Toffees will demand a high fee from another Premier League club.
Antoine Semenyo and Marcus Tavernier are two more Premier League options, with both playing for AFC Bournemouth, but they lack experience in defence and could struggle to begin with, although so did Amad.
The lack of attacking threat coming from Dalot on the right side, in Amad’s absence, could be United’s downfall during the Winter period.
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