18 Aug 2026 12:46:24
In an ideal world, we would sign a LB, CM and a ST before the window closes. However, we don't live in an ideal world. While we get fixated on Manchester United, all other clubs face the same dilemmas that we do. Having a list of areas that need improvement, but probably not able to do everything on the list, miss out on targets, have to make compromises, and make signings that don't meet expectations.
The thing about squad improvement is that it also never ends. Let's say we got a LB, CM and a ST this summer on top of what we have already signed. Does that mean our squad is now perfect? Or do we then need a RB, CB and LW?
Maybe some of our younger players have their development stall or go off the rails, maybe a key player suffers a serious injury, maybe a signing doesn't work out, or a player starts to decline.
Building a squad is a never ending task. If you choose to look for the negatives you'll never be content with your club's summer signings. In fact you'll never be happy with your club full stop.
I think we will still make one or two more signings, a LB and maybe a midfielder. I don't think we will sign a ST and off all the key positions we had to fill this summer a back up/rotation ST is probably the least important position. Especially if we sign a LB meaning Dorgu can play more on the LW, and we keep Rashford who can cover both LW and ST.
Is it ideal? No, of course not, but it's probably the best case scenario given the circumstances.
The potential options if you believe the media seems to be Hall (highly unlikely at this point), Lewis-Skelly, Seys, Salinas and Raum for LB, with Baleba, Berge, Adams, and Manu Kone linked in midfield.
Although looking at some of our business so far this summer, I wouldn't be surprised if we suddenly announced a player we haven't been widely linked with.
That said, we have a lot of young players who could step up and have a more impactful season this year. Players such as Yoro, Heaven, Mainoo, Amad, Sesko and Lacey.
18 Aug 2026 14:06:34
Seys' club say he isn't for sale. Ditto Lewis Hall.
Skelly wants to stay, and, having performed so well on Sunday, I can't see him leaving. Baleba is injured. I don't know how badly.
You would hope that, with all the investment in the youth academy and scouting, the club would have been thinking about a successor to Shaw. Amass is so clearly too lightweight at the moment, and another option should have been in the pipeline.
Kone, out of all the midfield options you named, seems a good option, but if he was really wanted and available you would have thought he would have been pursued already.
The longer Utd leave it to sign someone, any selling club will know of the necessity and can ask what they like. They themselves will have limited time to get a replacement. It also gives Carrick minimal time to integrate a new player.
This problem is not only Utds but the list of possible signings isn't inspiring.
18 Aug 2026 14:58:21
If Utd were keen on Kone, a deal would have been done by now.
An LB, CB and another CM are definitely needed.