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It’s fair to say that transfer speculation surrounding Manchester United and left-back options like Sergio Reguilon and Alex Telles in recent days has come out of nowhere.
Perhaps the defensive recruits made by Manchester City and Chelsea in recent weeks have changed their minds at Old Trafford, because it was previously believed that the rise of Brandon Williams and the solid form of Luke Shaw had put the left-back on the back burner. transfer priorities.
But Chelsea’s takeover of Ben Chilwell was just one of several important transfer statements made by Frank Lampard’s team in recent weeks. Meanwhile, City seems likely to add another tent center to the signing of the multi-talented Nathan Ake this summer. So just as some (misguided) pundits accused United of “panicking” by signing Donny van de Beek, the overall defense landscape has apparently changed as the window has progressed.
It should be noted that United is not in panic mode. On the contrary, they are applying a much more considerate and careful transfer policy, as Gary Neville recently pointed out.
“I have a feeling they are on it and they just aren’t getting them to cross the line as fast as they want to,” he said.
“But they are not panicking and I think they are still in control. They are not reacting to the market like they did a few years ago, they are in control.”
“The signings are better, they have a better age profile and it seems like they will be with the club for a long time rather than a season or two. Overall, I am positive about United, but getting those players out of line is critical.”
If United can get two defenders to step over the line in the next month before the window closes it seems like a tall order.
Ties to RB Leipzig central defender Dayot Upamecano emerged quickly after Van de Beek’s introduction, but cold water was quickly spilled on the rumors.
As with the left-back situation, it was previously understood that United would not prioritize a central defender this summer and that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was happy with his four defenders. He spent £ 125 million reshaping the defense 12 months ago through the signings of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire, and saw a return on that investment with a marked improvement from United’s bottom line. But it’s true that there is still room for improvement, amid the question marks over Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly, the fitness concerns surrounding Axel Tuanzebe plus the trio of unwanted center-backs waiting for an exit.
It was always thought that United would have to wait to sell Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo before looking for a central defender, just as they would have to wait for injuries to hit Williams and Shaw to change their minds about a left back. . And it remains to be seen whether United will boost their interest in the Real Madrid star Reguilón, or the Porto Telles left-back, who is now linked to the Wolves; much less sign a central.
Perhaps the increase in defensive speculation is due to stagnation elsewhere in United’s transfer plans. It is no longer appropriate to say that the Jadon Sancho saga ‘rumbles’, simply because it appears to be still. However, United’s interest is unwavering and they maintain a strong desire to seize the Borussia Dortmund man, with the right wing as top priority.
Maybe United need to remember those priorities that were outlined at the beginning of the window. It’s tempting to dive into the market for left-back and center-back options, which may well be necessary over time, but Sancho (or an elite right winger) would be the vital piece in Solskjaer’s puzzle.
Just as United delayed hiring a center forward until January by extending Odion Ighalo’s loan through the winter, they must also delay their defensive plans.
It may not sit well with fans turning down the opportunity to sign a player like Reguilon, but it may be necessary to channel their attention in one direction. United must put all their eggs in Sancho’s basket this summer, as they have always wanted.
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