Man United ready for blockbuster transfer window – David Ornstein | OneFootball

Manchester United are gearing up for a potentially record-breaking transfer window this summer, with INEOS planning a major overhaul of Michael Carrick’s squad ahead of a return to Europe next season.

Carrick the Caretaker

While even the most ardent acolyte of Sir Jim Ratcliffe would struggle to say last season went to plan, the second half of a turbulent campaign went exactly as sporting director Jason Wilcox planned. Ruben Amorim’s tumultuous tenure came to an abrupt end in January, with Carrick drafted in as caretaker coach in the wake of the prickly Portuguese’s sacking.

Wilcox’s brief to the former midfielder was simple: deliver Champions League football. It was an ambitious goal, given the feelings of despair which had engulfed Old Trafford during a bleak midwinter. But Carrick, aided by Steve Holland, Jonathan Woodgate, Travis Binnion and Jonny Evans as assistants, was unperturbed by the size of the task ahead – with good reason.

From Carrick’s first game at the helm – a resounding 2-0 win in the Manchester Derby – United have accumulated the most points of any side in the Premier League, winning twelve matches, drawing three, and losing just twice. Only Manchester City have scored more in this period.

Extrapolated across the entire campaign, it translates to 87 points, two more than champions Arsenal. It is title-winning form over just under half a season, having beaten each member of England’s ‘top six’ along the way.

In short, Carrick aced his test. His invigilators were left with no other choice than to pass him with flying colours, despite giving brief consideration to a few other high-flying students in the exam hall.

The Wallsend native put pen to paper on a two-year deal to become United’s permanent head coach last month. His coaching staff were handed the same contract. He was already involved in recruitment meetings to plan the club’s movements this summer, but his voice will naturally carry more weight now.

While fans may have wanted a ‘sexier’ name in the dugout next season, the decision to stick with Carrick, rather than twist to a Roberto De Zerbi, maintains the stability that the former midfielder has imbued throughout the club since his return – the same sense of calm he exuded as a player on the pitch.

Off the Pitch

Similarly, United are in a stable position off the pitch. The club’s finances are trending in the right direction, and the executive structure – led by Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada – is working as a synergised unit.

The recruitment team, with Christopher Vivell and analytics chief Michael Sansoni, works closely with Wilcox and Carrick to identify the exact type of players needed, as well as those who should be shown the door.

United are hoping to bolster their budget with sales this summer. Rasmus Hojlund’s £38 million switch to Serie A side Napoli has already been confirmed, while talks are ongoing to finalise a £26m deal with FC Barcelona for Marcus Rashford, though this is proving onerous.

Casemiro, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia will leave as free agents this summer, significantly reducing the wage bill, while a host of reserve and youth players, such as goalkeepers Altay Bayindir and Radek Vitek, are set to be sold or loaned.

Champions League qualification generates around an extra £100m in revenue, while the commercial branch at Old Trafford has been busy agreeing record-breaking sponsorship deals. The prospect of deeper runs in the cup competitions next year will be similarly lucrative, given United fell at the first hurdle in both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

In short, United will have cash to burn this summer, with one well-placed source indicating the total is “almost certain” to trump last year’s outlay of £240m – which would make it the most spent in a window in the club’s 148-year history.

Final Thoughts – Big Summer Ahead

The focus is a major revamp in midfield, with Casemiro set to leave a massive hole in Carrick’s squad that Manuel Ugarte has proven incapable of filling. A £39m deal has already been struck for Atalanta dynamo Ederson, while negotiations have been opened for West Ham starlet Mateus Fernandes.

But a ‘marquee’ No.6 to take the reins from Casemiro is still the most urgent priority. Nottingham Forest and England international Elliot Anderson is the primary target, while Real Madrid superstar Aurelien Tchouameni is an ambitious alternative.

Reinforcements are being targeted on the left-hand side as well, with initial talks held to explore options at full-back and on the wing. At present, a new left-back is understood to be higher on the agenda, with Wilcox a huge fan of Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall.

A new No.2 to back up Senne Lammens will be needed, while a more reliable striker than Joshua Zirkzee to lighten the burden on Benjamin Sesko is also wanted. The Dutch forward is likely to return to Serie A.

While this may feel like an unrealistic number of signings to make in one window, David Ornstein has confirmed he expects the Red Devils to be the “busiest” club in the Premier League this summer.

“Manchester United need to do a bit of volume [in the market] because they are stepping up into Champions League football from no European football – and their squad is not sufficiently well stocked. So I could see a lot of activity at Old Trafford,” the transfer expert revealed on The Athletic Football podcast.

Ornstein concludes: “If I was to give you one team that will be the busiest, I am going to say Manchester United.” There is no source in football that tops ‘The Ornacle’, meaning United fans, including this writer, can start to let their imagination run wild.

Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images

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