Manuel Ugarte signs and Raheem Sterling follows: How Man United could line up after transfer deadline day
Manchester United’s starting XI could have a very different look by the time the transfer window slams shut.
Teams have just two more days to get their business done, with this summer’s window ending on Friday at 11pm.
6
The Red Devils have already done plenty of business this summer, signing defenders Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui as well as forward Joshua Zirkzee, dropping £148million in the process.
They’ve also let go a number of players, selling Mason Greenwood, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Willy Kambwala, Donny van de Beek and soon, Scott McTominay.
Man United’s work this summer isn’t done yet, though.
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte is expected to be announced imminently, with Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling also linked.
MORE ON MAN UNITED
Erik ten Hag’s men suffered 2-1 defeat to Brighton at the AMEX Stadium on Saturday, and the Dutchman will no doubt welcome reinforcements to stop the same happening to them against fierce rivals Liverpool this Sunday.
So, how different could Man United’s XI at Old Trafford this weekend be after the window is shut for another five months?
Defence
Man United’s defence will be largely unchanged from the back four and goalkeeper they have had for their opening games.
That’s with the exception of £38.5m centre-back De Ligt, who is surely not far away from taking Harry Maguire’s place in the team.
Most read in Football
We reported last week that Man United were offered outcasted Chelsea left back Chilwell, and with the Red Devils missing Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia through injury, they do need a new option there.
6
Diogo Dalot is currently filling the gap until their return - however, news on Chilwell - who is part of Chelsea’s bomb squad - and Man United have appeared to have gone stale.
Reports suggest Chilwell's wages are set to prove a stumbling block for any potential last-minute loan deal. His salary increase last year means he now pockets £200,00-a-week.
It looks like Dalot will be covering at left-back for now.
Alex Crook believes swapping Jadon Sancho for Raheem Sterling would be a good move for Manchester United
Meanwhile, summer signing Mazraoui will continue at right-back, whilst Lisandro Martinez will partner De Ligt in the middle.
Midfield
talkSPORT understands midfielder Ugarte will join on a £49.29million fee, with the potential for £8.46m more in additional payments.
The Uruguayan has already been likened to a young Javier Mascherano. talkSPORT’s European football expert Kevin Hatchard says he will be best deployed as a defensive midfielder for Man United.
“He’s very much a defensively minded midfielder,” he told talkSPORT Breakfast on Wednesday. “Somebody who will win the ball back for you, get moves started.
“But what he isn’t is particularly progressive, so you know what you’re getting.
“He’s not someone who’s going to score a lot of goals, or split a defence open with a pass, but he’ll get you started by winning the ball back.
“And you know, if that’s what you need, think Casemiro but not as good at the moment. But of course, Casemiro seems to be on the slide a little bit so they’re thinking you know, long term.”
6
With this in mind, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Ugarte start in United’s midfield.
He will feature alongside Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes, with the latter, United’s captain, dropping back into his attacking midfield role after starting up top in Rasmus Hojlund’s absence.
Attack
This is the area of the pitch that could look drastically different for Man United following the end of this transfer window.
Fernandes led the line with Hojlund out injured and Joshua Zirkzee getting up to speed, but now will be the time for the ex-Bologna striker to start up top.
Meanwhile, United’s wide options could be occupied by totally different personnel.
United have been heavily linked with Chelsea outcast Raheem Sterling.
Chelsea and Manchester United's possible swap deal involving him and Red Devils out of favour winger Jadon Sancho is not at an advanced stage, talkSPORT understands.
6
But if Sterling were to be signed by United, he’s likely to swoop into the starting XI and take England teammate Rashford’s place on the left flank given the experience he boasts and the United star’s varying form.
Sancho, meanwhile, looks poised to join Juventus.
Despite Amad Diallo scoring against Brighton, it’s likely Ten Hag will want to get Garnacho, who has more experience under his belt, in the team, with Diallo then taking on more of a substitute role.
That’s despite Garnacho normally coming in on the left.
Read More on talkSPORT
6
Ten Hag has already been advised to get the Argentine in the team, with talkSPORT Drive co-host Darren Bent insisting he had the ability to change games and is a better option than usual starter Marcus Rashford.
So should Sterling betray his Man City past and arrive at Old Trafford before Friday ends, he, Zirkzee and Garnacho will form Man United’s attack.
6
JOIN THE DUGOUT
Have your say on all things talkSPORT by joining – our new listener panel.
We're all about diving deep into your perspectives, and making sure talkSPORT is the absolute best it can be. Your voice matters, and we want to hear it!
Pitch your game-changing ideas, and join in with fun surveys, polls, and locker-room discussions.
Just by joining, you'll enter a prize draw to win one of four £50 Amazon vouchers, with another prize draw entry for every survey you complete after that
To join the ‘The DUGOUT’ panel, please
JOIN THE DUGOUT
Have your say on all things talkSPORT by joining – our new listener panel.
We're all about diving deep into your perspectives, and making sure talkSPORT is the absolute best it can be. Your voice matters, and we want to hear it!
Pitch your game-changing ideas, and join in with fun surveys, polls, and locker-room discussions.
Just by joining, you'll enter a prize draw to win one of four £50 Amazon vouchers, with another prize draw entry for every survey you complete after that
To join the ‘The DUGOUT’ panel, please
Topics