Despite heavy investment in the summer that led to five permanent arrivals, gaps remain to be filled in the Manchester United squad going forward.
One area where the team has strengthened immensely is in midfield with the high-profile signings of Casemiro and free agent Christian Eriksen.
The fans were fed up with seeing the conservative duo of Fred and Scott McTominay take the field and Erik ten Hag realized the need to inject fresh blood.
Reinforcements in the midfield
However, the age of the two new signings and the uncertainty surrounding Fred’s future have necessitated the addition of a new central midfielder.
And a host of names have been linked to a move in January or next summer, including Frenkie de Jong, Jude Bellingham and Moises Caicedo.
Big names from Serie A have also been mentioned as potential additions, including Lazio superstar Sergej Milinković-Savić and Sassuolo’s Davide Frattesi.
*Lukic transfer rumors* ????????????Manchester United are interested in signing Torino midfielder Sasa Lukic, as stated by Torino Granata. Leeds United and Roma are also eyeing the Serb.#MUFC #ManUtd #ManUnited #ManchesterUnited #MUMUfootball pic.twitter.com/lIRvIk6EES
– MUMU Football (@MUMUfootball) December 2, 2022
A new name has entered the fray: Torino midfielder Sasa Lukic, someone who has quietly impressed for Serbia at the World Cup.
The Serb’s contract with the Turin club is set to expire in 2024 and, according to Italian publication Torino Granata, despite Torino’s best efforts, Lukic appears to be “assessing a future, even near future away” from the club.
The publication mentioned United and Serie A giants Roma as potential destinations for the 26-year-old. Surprisingly, Leeds United are also mentioned as a club desperate to add the Serbian international to their ranks.
United eye Sasa Lukic
“Roma and Manchester United would be on it, but another Premier League club would also be interested: it would be Leeds United,” the report added.
Lukic is valued at 13 million euros according to Transfermarkt and is a versatile player capable of playing both in the defensive midfielder position and in a more advanced role.
His performances at the World Cup, in which he has started all three games as a defensive midfielder, could entice the aforementioned clubs to join the bidding table and negotiations will follow quickly.
He has three goals and one assist in 14 games in all competitions this season and could be a decent buy for a mid-table club. United should definitely target a better player next summer.
