Manchester United is in a mess.
Even their coach described them as “probably the worst team in the club's history”. Ruben Amorim tried to back it off today and put the blame on his performance, but his words came in starkly after Sunday's defeat to Brighton.
They are 13th in the Premier League table and that is not a bad position. The team lacks quality in every area. You can't lay the blame at anyone's door – the gradual slide towards mediocrity started several years ago – but the current set-up must take its share.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos group took ownership of matters on the pitch when they bought a 27.7 percent stake in United in December 2023.
Ratcliffe felt there was a lack of footballing knowledge within the club's structure and brought in the likes of Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox while under contract after looking to replace former head coach Erik ten Hag.
Terrible summer window in 2024
Between them they have Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich for £60m. Leny Yoro from Lille for £52m; Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna for £36.5m and Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain for £42m. .
At over £190m, with five players and Yoro injured, it looks like a waste of money, apart from the potential.
None of them will be in Liverpool and none of them will be in Arsenal. While everyone is fit, it's debatable how many of them will make United's best XI.
So what to do now? ok Only Wilcox, who has overseen a positive summer rebuild, remains, and the club's main problem is trying to rid the squad of deadwood. Most of them earn a lot of money.
United are unlikely to have much wiggle room financially, but here we find five players we feel could make a difference.
1. Victor Osimhen
Rasmus Hojlulnd continues his depth look. He's clearly not out of the number 9 as he's scored two goals in 17 Premier League appearances this season.
Napoli forward Osihen almost moved to Chelsea last summer but the move fell through at the last minute, leaving him on loan at Galatasaray until 2024-25.
Napoli are reportedly interested in United winger Alejandro Gancho and some form of swap would be beneficial for all parties.
Osimhen has reportedly included a break in his loan deal and a January move is complicated but doable.
2. Nuno Mendes
United have been struggling on the left side of defense all season. Amorim plays in a 3-4-3 and Mendes will thrive with his natural athleticism.
The Portugal international is out of contract 18 months from now and could be given the chance to move to Old Trafford and reunite with Amorim.
Maybe a deal for the summer.
3. Guillaume remains.
United are in need of a new goalkeeper after Andre Onana's performances have worsened over the week. Restes is only 19 years old, but Toulouse is considered one of France's best young goalkeepers. He will not play in Ligue 1 for long.
A viable deal in this window if the price is right.
4. Arda Guler
The Turkish star has missed out on a place in the Real Madrid squad and manager Carlo Ancelotti appears to have no faith in the 19-year-old. But anyone who has watched him play for his country at Euro 2024 will appreciate it. Madrid are unlikely to sell the player with so much potential, but are delaying an 18-month loan move to Milan. United need to move quickly and convince him to try his luck in England.
We have an agreement to do it in January.
5. Joshua Kimmich
Kimmich's deal with Bayern Munich expires in the summer and his future remains uncertain. The smart money is on him staying at the Allianz Arena, but he would be the perfect player at Old Trafford. He can play multiple positions, though. More importantly, He will be sorely lacking in winning spirit.
Under the terms of his contract, United will almost certainly remain in Germany until the end of the season, but they can talk to Kimmich now.