4-2-3-1: How Ineos are set to transform the United squad in one transfer window – opinion

The sudden rapprochement between Jadon Sancho and Erik ten Hag at Manchester United has changed this summer’s transfer landscape completely.

United fans sat and watched in dismay as first Chelsea and ultimately, Bayern Munich swooped in to grab Michael Olise, seen by many as the solution to United’s problems on the right wing.

Both Sancho and Mason Greenwood appeared to be stars United would have to sell for way below their market values in order to raise funds to buy potentially inferior players.

Greenwood’s departure looks inevitable and imminent. And while it is still possible and perhaps even likely that Sancho will move on, seeing his name back in the United squad does appear to make that lineup considerably stronger.

Given what we know so far, United are looking for two centre backs, possibly Matthijs de Ligt and Jarrad Branthwaite, a defensive midfielder – probably Manuel Ugarte, and at least one forward, with Josh Zirkzee having already signed, subject to official confirmation.

United are also reportedly still considering a permanent deal for Sofyan Amrabat, with Fiorentina leaving his buyout clause open despite the contract having expired. Ineos may well offer less than the buyout, with some reports suggesting the Serie A side would take €15 million (£12.6m) for him. He is desperate to stay at Old Trafford and ended the season well, so we have assumed here United will exercise that option to keep him as a squad player.

Depending on player sales, other positions could be strengthened as well. Tyrell Malacia is still struggling with the injury that kept him out of the entire 2023/24 season and Aaron Wan-Bissaka is rumoured to be leaving.

However, even leaving those two in place for the time being, next season’s squad could look something like this:

Of course, of the four wingers shown here, three prefer to play on the left, so there is some imbalance. However, all are very capable of playing on the right. Antony is another option for the right, not included here. There is also Facundo Pellistri, although we expect him to move on this summer.

In fact, there is a lot of fluidity across the entire forward line. Zirkzee can play as a second striker, Mount can play on either flank, Rashford can play up top and Sancho in the hole.

The midfield would also have backups in Scott McTominay, Mount and Fernandes, (who can both play number eight) and Casemiro, should he not seek pastures new. The hugely talented Toby Collyer could also be knocking on the door as well as he aims to follow in Mainoo’s footsteps as this season’s academy breakthrough star.

Another candidate for that accolade is left back Harry Amass, who was named in a few of Ten Hag’s squads toward the end of last season.

If United do sign two centre backs, with Leny Yoro also a possibility rather than Branthwaite, they will almost certainly sell either Victor Lindelof or Harry Maguire, especially as Jonny Evans has just signed a one-year extension. Whichever of the two stays, they are unlikely to get many games, especially if the two-footed Branthwaite does sign from Everton.

At the time of writing, another centre back, Willy Kambwala, looks to be heading for Villarreal in Spain.

In goal, Altay Bayindir showed in Euro 24 why he is a very capable pair of hands as backup to Andre Onana, and with up to a whopping 17 games to be played in the Europa League this season, he will surely be offered more game time.

With injuries hopefully not featuring as prominently as they did last season, this new-look United squad looks extremely strong on paper. Of course, there will be changes and surprises between now and August 31st, but if it comes close to looking like this, United fans finally have a lot to be excited about.

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