Man United transfer to-do-list before Arsenal

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Manchester United are in the process of a major squad overhaul under Ruben Amorim after last season's disaster. United ended the season 15th in the Premier League and suffered heartbreak in the Europa League in a 10-month period to forget.

Between them, Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada have been tasked with giving Amorim the tools to turn United's fortunes around next year. Work is already underway with Matheus Cunha through the door but there's plenty left to do.

Another attacker - similar to Cunha - is the priority with a striker also expected to be added. Players are also anticipated to say their goodbyes to Old Trafford with United running a tight line against the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability rules (PSR).

In essence, it is impossible to predict how United will do this season. In fact, if they get Bryan Mbeumo through the door, it's difficult to see where they go next. Selling players to raise funds is a nice thought to have but shipping them isn't always easy.

Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof and Christian Eriksen are already confirmed to leave the club. Beyond the trio, there are players that played big roles in Amorim's team last season that could be sold. Making sense of United is tough and figuring out their next move, if they know it themselves, is tougher.

Here, MEN Sport goes through some of the certainties that United must address now the transfer window is open and the season is rapidly approaching.

Sign a striker

United's top scorer last season was Bruno Fernandes with 19 goals, in all competitions. In the Premier League, Amad and Fernandes topped the chart with just nine. They need a striker.

Thankfully, they have somewhat addressed the problem in front of goal. Matheus Cunha bagged 15 last season and Mbeumo scored a sensational 20 in the league. Not one player in United colours has scored 20 Premier League goals or more in a single season since Robin van Persie in 2012/13.

Even with Cunha and Mbeumo through the door, United need a striker. It seems as though the shortlist has whittled down to three: Viktor Gyokeres, Victor Osimhen or Hugo Ekitike. Each has different sagas and United don't seem to be in pole position to land any of them.

(Image: PA)

Alternatives like Jonathan David, Dusan Vlahovic, Vangelis Pavlidis and Jean-Philippe Mateta have been mentioned, all could still be signed. But United have plenty of time to get their act together and land one of the big-hitters.

Osimhen rejecting Al-Hilal leaves the door open. Gyokeres 'prefers' Arsenal and Ekitike's £60m valuation for a striker with just 50 career goals doesn't tick many boxes.

One way or another, a new No.9 is a priority. Rasmus Hojlund is better served for a temporary move away and Joshua Zirkzee, for many, has done enough to stay.

Sell, sell, sell

United know they must sell players to raise funds. They also know that, with no European football to face this season, there's no need to have a large squad. But for Amorim, they need to successfully offload players that don't fit the Portuguese's system.

Last summer, the likes of Donny van de Beek, Mason Greenwood, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Scott McTominay were sold. This year, the potential list of exits should contain some high-profile names.

Marcus Rashford, Antony and Jadon Sancho all spent the second half of last season out on loan and do not fit Amorim's system. Interest has been bubbling since the season ended but no move, as of yet, has materialised.

Cashing in on the trio would be a good start. Having any of them part of the pre-season squad next month would be a difficult circumstance to overcome. The same can be said for Alejandro Garnacho.

(Image: Getty Images)

His career at United was over from the second he spoke out after Bilbao and reports before the season ended that he was told to leave the club added further uncertainty. Garnacho is arguably United's biggest asset and if they can come to an agreement with an interested party, their financial woes would look significantly better.

Rasmus Hojlund, Andre Onana and Casemiro are all sellable players, but they are not players who should be fast-tracked out the door. Each of them will play some part for Amorim, whereas Rashford, Antony and Sancho all need to be moved on sooner rather than later.

Onana's case is also quite interesting. If United can sign Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa, Erik ten Hag's signing will no longer be needed. But as is the case with every player, will there be much interest in Onana after an under-par campaign?

If United sign a striker, Hojlund will have to be out the door. That may be a loan with interest growing in Italy, it's unlikely that they'll be able to receive any of the £72m they paid Atalanta in 2023.

Prepare to succeed, not fail

When the Premier League fixtures were announced on Wednesday morning, the negativity piled in on Amorim. 'He will be gone by October' being a common view. The scheduling hasn't been kind to United with Arsenal in the first game but they can do everything possible to prepare the right way.

This is a to-do list and the biggest thing they have to do needs to be done by the middle of July. United head to the United States for pre-season next month and failure to ensure Mbeumo and a new striker are on that plane would be leaving Amorim out to dry.

The new Premier League season may feel months away but before we know it, Amorim and Mikel Arteta will be greeting each other on the touchline at Old Trafford. Turning the attention away from the problems at United with their business this summer would be an easy early win.

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