Manchester United have only eight days to resolve their midfield concerns before the transfer window slams shut for another five months.
Still locked in negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain over Manuel Ugarte, a late report from Italy last night revealed that the Reds had also tested the water for a potential alternative to the Uruguayan in the form of Atalanta’s Ederson.
Having already been scheduled to meet to discuss Rasmus Hojlund’s payment structure, United broached the subject of Ederson’s availability and whether £42 million would be enough to prise him from their grasp. However, the Reds quickly learned that it wouldn’t be.
United remain locked in talks with Napoli
Elsewhere, INEOS chiefs are also actively engaging in talks with another Serie A outfit. Corriere dello Sport claims United and Napoli are holding ‘continuous contacts’ to try and hash out a deal for Scott McTominay but are at something of an impasse due to the Italians’ reluctance to meet his asking price.
The Naples-based side is only willing to fork out £17m, while United value their academy graduate in the region of £25-30m. They don’t need to sell him, either, which was only further proven by their rejection of Fulham’s two bids – the second of which just fell short at £23m.
Further ‘delicate and complex’ discussions are expected to take place between all parties for Erik ten Hag’s goalscoring ‘hero’.
United need to keep McTominay, a very useful option from the bench.
Midfield should be
Defensive – Ugarte, with Casemiro and Collyer as back ups.
Playmaker / Box 2 Box – Mainoo, with McTominay and Gore as back ups.
Eriksen, and Mejbri to be sold
Wing options
Left – Garnacho, with Rashford as back up
Right – Amad, with Sancho as back up
Antony to be sold (if United got the same as they did for Pellistri it would be a bonus)
Yes, I agree.