Having registered just one win in the last five league matches, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side went from challenging for the title to fighting for the second position in the space of four weeks. While the Norwegian has done loads of good to improve his side’s attacking style this season, he has failed to bring any defensive solidity.
Besides, the skipper’s abilities have come into question, with United conceding first almost every game. Unless the Red Devils learn to grind out positive results, their title dreams will remain distant.
Furthermore, until the board decides to bring in proper re-enforcements to bolster the present squad, the club’s fortune looks unlikely to change. Here, in this article, we look at two critical issues Solskjaer must address in the upcoming transfer window.
The Centre-Back Situation
Having conceded the second-highest number of goals (31) by any team in the top half of the table, Manchester United’s biggest trouble this season has undoubtedly been at the back. The centre-back pairing consisting of skipper Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof has been horrible, and it’s on display every week due to the lack of decent back-up options. The 1-1 draw against West Brom yesterday vigorously underlined the need for a new centre-back, maybe even two; whereas the 3-3 draw against Everton on Matchday 23 threw some light on David de Gea’s declining form.
It’s not always about the money; sometimes it’s about ambition. Pep Guardiola signs a world-class centre-back every transfer window whereas Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has failed to recruit even one quality centre-half over the years (Maguire doesn’t fall in the bracket of quality defenders). With just 10 points from the last seven league games, individual mistakes have cost the Red Devils, and it certainly needs to be resolved if they want to put up a title challenge next season.
A host of defenders including Jules Kounde and Raphael Varane have been linked with a move to the Old Trafford and signing one of them should definitely be the Norwegian’s prime objective once the transfer window reopens in June.
The Need For a Defensive Midfielder
Well, Scott McTominay and Fred are able to fill the holding midfield positions but, to be honest, the latter is simply too average to claim the position as his own. McTominay is not a defensive midfielder naturally while Donny van de Beek seems more suited to the central role.
United can’t be relying on Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford week in week out to win games until and unless the back-four gets sufficient protection. Thus, there’s the need for a midfielder who is tailor-made to play in a deeper role and whose attributes are perfectly suited to the rough nature of the Premier League.
West Ham midfielder Declan Rice is presently on Manchester United’s radar, and it’s beyond any doubt that the England international will be a dream addition to the current Manchester squad.
