Andy Mitten believes Manchester United will change their transfer strategy as they search for a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo in the January window.
The trusted reporter was speaking on the Talk of the Devils Podcast about the club’s desire to bring in a striker.
Athletic journalist Laurie Whitwell was optimistic about Erik ten Hag’s chances of landing a striker in the winter window.
“If Ten Hag wants a striker in January, United have already shown that they have accommodated him in the summer with some of the signings,” Whitwell said. “I’m not saying they’ve gone and got everything he needs, and they need to have a better way of presenting him with options, but at least they’ve delivered certain signings he wanted.
“So I feel like he has some pretty decent authority in that regard and if that’s what he wants, they’ll definitely try to do it. If there’s a player they want for the summer who’s available in January, then they’ll look at him.”
That leaves plenty of scope for the manager to get away with a new striker, but Mitten urged a note of caution on the matter, suggesting the Red Devils’ outlay in their latest transfer window may be a stumbling block. .
“United overspent in the summer, completely,” he said. “So you have to see what kind of player United could bring in.”
With a tight budget, it could be difficult to bring in a player of the required quality, but Mitten reckons there are options out there.
You mentioned Depay. Would Barcelona sell it? Yes right away! That makes it much easier because Barcelona need the money. You have clubs that need the money, that need to sell. Or you have the example of Aubameyang: someone who wants to get out of a club, like he did a year ago.
Depay could well be a smart signing for the team. The former United player has been open about his lack of professionalism during his time at Manchester and he is now a different player than he was during his first spell at the club.
However, the idea of an Aubameyang-type deal would likely cause very little enthusiasm among the fan base, but it’s not a route Mitten expects the club to take anytime soon.
“There aren’t many world-class number nines and United even add to that and say: ‘We don’t want the aging veteran coming in. We do not want a player who is not going to improve the team. That would rule out an Ighalo equivalent, for example.”
That would certainly open the club up to a more forward-thinking signing in January and a player who could make a real difference in Ten Hag’s challenge for a top four spot and a trophy would certainly be boosted by a quality addition. .
Once again, however, Mitten was quick to point out that managers don’t always get what they want, adding: “I can see Ten Hag saying ‘I want a number nine,’ but you know if my lady left me tomorrow then I wouldn’t mind dating Margot Robbie!It may not happen.
“Managers always want more players and that’s why we got Cristiano Ronaldo too, because Ed Woodward said to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: ‘Would you like that?’ and it is much easier to say yes than no”.
It is doubtful that a similar situation will happen again based on Mitten’s words, as he reflected on the time he spent asking Ten Hag about the type of striker he would like to bring to his team.
“Erik ten Hag has a clear idea of what he wants, and some names were mentioned to him, and he knew a lot about those players, I was very impressed.
“We know that Ramos likes at Benfica, but who doesn’t? We know that you would like Gakpo at PSV.
“I don’t think there is the despair that there was when United signed Fernandes. The form of the league has been good/not bad. The results are improving. The new players are still settling in. There is still leeway for Anthony Martial to return. If he is fit and playing, his earnings are really good!”.
With Jadon Sancho on indefinite leave while he regains his form and fitness, and United generally lacking in attacking options, relying on a player who has made just two Premier League starts this season, as Martial has, will not be I would consider it a smart move.
Ultimately, the top end of the pitch is where Man United are in desperate need of an upgrade, with Mitten adding: “United need to score more goals. Twenty against City’s forty? That’s why we’re having these conversations.”
So while there is a chance United will end up without a new centre-forward on February 1, it looks as though his hiring will be far-sighted. The end of the constant cycle of bringing strikers to the brink of retirement would be a welcome change at Old Trafford.
And with clubs like Barcelona and Juventus facing financial difficulties, a striker who could immediately improve Ten Hag’s team could become available in January.
