Manchester United have strengthened several areas of their squad this summer while selling their fringe players to maintain their finances. The Red Devils brought Leny Yoro, Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt to bolster their defence and Manuel Ugarte for midfield.
United sought a strong number six to partner with Kobbie Mainoo and shield the spaces where Ugarte excels. For their attack, they signed only Joshua Zirkzee this summer as the competition for Rasmus Hojlund for the present season.
Man United lost Anthony Martial as his contract expired while Jadon Sancho made a surprise loan move to rivals Chelsea. Ten Hag has limited options in the attack department which has forced him to play Bruno Fernandes as the forward.
Fernandes and Mason Mount featured as the false nine and attacking midfielder pairing in the first two Premier League games. The Red Devils barely defeated Fulham with the help of a goal from Zirkzee in the second half at home.
They lost the second Premier League game to Brighton & Hove Albion despite the presence of Zirkzee as a substitute. United have only two natural forwards Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund but Hojlund is a long-term injury since the pre-season tour.
Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer highlighted (via Express) Ivan Toney as the striker that United should have signed this summer. The Premier League’s top goalscorer of all time highlighted Man United’s attack as the vulnerable part of their squad. He said:
“I am slightly surprised – I think he’d [Ivan Toney] do pretty well at Old Trafford. I thought they [United] were poor in forward areas against Brighton and without Hojlund. I know they’ve signed Zirkzee, but they’re playing Fernandes and Mount as two ‘false’ nines, and I’m not sure that’s worked for them. They got the goal from Zirkzee against Fulham and then just the one last week, so it hasn’t quite clicked for them yet in forward positions.”
BREAKING: Ivan Toney
signs for Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli for £40m from Brentford pic.twitter.com/jzogncA04u— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 31, 2024
Toney joined Al-Ahli on the deadline day for a £40m deal from Brentford before his contract with the English club ended next summer. United have to work carefully in the transfer market as financial fair play rules caused them trouble last summer.
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However, the attacking department remains limited, with the fanbase hoping to avoid any further injury crisis that could derail their season. The Red Devils have a daunting task as other competitive clubs have strengthened themselves this summer. They need to achieve the Champions League qualification as the minimum expectation while aiming for other trophies.
