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Manchester United's Transfer Targets For 2022

Manchester United didn’t expect to head into the January transfer window with a new coach in place, yet it does appear as though that need for change has actually reshuffled the club in a positive manner.

Ed Woodward is now nowhere to be seen, merely waiting to collect his retirement gift from the Glazer family, no longer ruling over footballing matters with an iron fist, despite having zero talent or qualification to do so.

John Murtough has stepped into the limelight, working closely with Ralf Rangnick since the German arrived.

And there now appears to be a cohesive approach to how Manchester United want to build their team.

The Red devil’s are looking to address their midfield problem first and foremost, but with other positions also in play, just who are the club’s targets in 2022?

Christopher Nkunku: Attacking midfielder, RB Leipzig

Christopher Nkunku is a player who is enjoying the greatest moment of his career at RB Leipzig.

Having fashioned a role for himself just behind the strikers in Leipzig’s team.

The Frenchman has added goals to his game and is impossible to deal with when making surging runs from deep.

Whilst a little similar to Bruno Fernandes in that regard, Nkunku’s ability to press is an added benefit and again his familiarity with the Rangnick system would only serve to ease his adaptation.

However, he would perhaps only be an option if Pogba and Martial were to leave in January, given the fact he essentially covers what both offer to a certain extent.

Amadou Haidara: Central midfielder, RB Leipzig

Initially linked with a move to Old Trafford when Rangnick was appointed,

Haidara would represent an instant upgrade on United’s current options, at least in terms to fitting into the German coach’s style.

Having played a central role in Red Bull Salzburg’s pursuit of the Mali midfielder in 2016.

Rangnick knows the midfielder well and he could operate as a positive foil for Fred.

Particularly in matches where United need to press high up the pitch for longer, with the Champions League in mind.

There are, though, concerns about Haidara’s performances with RB Leipzig this term, as well as the fact he would immediately be off to the AFCON with Mali.

 

Read Also: Gianluigi Buffon: Juventus Lost Their Team DNA With Cristiano Ronaldo

 

Declan Rice: Defensive midfielder, West Ham United

Declan Rice has been Manchester United’s primary midfield target for a year already.

Although it seems at this point that there will be no way for them to sign him without competition from Manchester City and Chelsea.

David Moyes spoke publicly about how the English midfielder’s value has risen even further after his exploits at Euro 2020 and in the Europa League with West Ham United.

He is the perfect holding midfielder and is excellent at cutting out danger and being all-action in both halves of the pitch, although it’s not clear if a naturally holding presence in midfield fits into Rangnick’s tactical blueprint.

 

Tariq Lamptey: Right-back, Brighton

One of the early conclusions of Rangnick’s first weeks in charge at Old Trafford has been that he doesn’t rate Aaron Wan-Bissaka as highly as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did.

He has arrived and given immediate prominence to Diogo Dalot, who has impressed to a degree, but there may be a need for a more permanent solution at the position.

United persisted for years with Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia at full-back, despite the fact they were both hopeless in the role.

Yet, they probably went too far the other way in targeting Wan-Bissaka, who is primarily focused on defending, to the detriment of his attacking contributions.

Tariq Lamptey has impressed a lot whilst at Brighton, almost causing people to ask why on earth Chelsea let him go.

He is a balanced full-back who excels on either side of the ball and would also bring an added level of energy to a pressing team, as witnessed under Graham Potter at the Amex Stadium.

Michail Antonio set the Hammers on their way with his fifth goal of the season,

latching on to an underhit backpass from Kevin Theophile-Catherine to round home goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic and slide the ball into an empty net.

It was no more than the visitors deserved after dominating the early stages against the Croatian champions.

Declan Rice sealed an exemplary away performance with a superb second on his 150th appearance for the club.

Read Also: England Move Up To Third In Men’s World Rankings

 

The England midfielder brilliantly won back possession and drove into the Dinamo area,

before despatching a powerful left-foot shot through Livakovic’s legs.

Bar qualifiers, it ensured a first victory in Europe for West Ham since 1999,

and vindicated manager David Moyes’ decision to introduce several players into his starting XI for the first time this season.

Kurt Zouma and Nikola Vlasic both impressed on their full debuts for the club,

while Ryan Fredericks, Manuel Lanzini and Issa Diop all appeared up to speed on their first starts of the season.

Rio Ferdinand Would Like To See Ole Gunnar Solskjaer To Sign These Players.

Rio Ferdinand is looking for Manchester United to bring in another midfielder before the summer transfer deadline, with the Red Devils legend claiming that Saul Niguez would be a “perfect fit” at Old Trafford while Declan Rice “would be a massive addition”.

There have been plenty of rumours regarding a move by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to find another option to fill a holding role in his plans prior to the current window closing for business on August 31.

Raids could be launched for proven performers on the books at Atletico Madrid and West Ham, with Saul and Rice having generated enough speculation in the past to suggest that they have been registering on United’s recruitment radar for a while.

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Barcelona President Laporta Blames Bartomeu over €1.35bn Debt

 

Red Devils legend Ferdinand hopes more money will be spent, telling his FIVE YouTube channel: “I think if the right player becomes available for the right price, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will go and get him.

“The problem is who is out there and who could be a good fit? Saul Niguez would be a perfect fit and he’s asking price was £160 million ($221m) a couple of years ago, now it’s more like £40-50m ($55-69m).

“In today’s game that’s a decent price for someone like him who has Champions League experience. I’m a big fan of his. If you can get him in this window, I think you do it.

“I think Declan Rice would be a massive addition to this squad. I’m a massive fan of his. I would love to see him keep progressing.

“He was brilliant for England in the summer. I think if West Ham keep him they’ve done unbelievably well. I think he does well staying at West Ham or if he goes.”

Productive business has already been completed by an ambitious Premier League outfit this summer.

Jadon Sancho has been prised away from Borussia Dortmund for £73m ($101m) at the end of a long-running saga, while World Cup-winning France international defender Raphael Varane has been acquired from Real Madrid for £40m ($55m).

Solskjaer has admitted that more business could be done over the coming days, after seeing his side open the new season with a 5-1 win over Leeds, with United forever in the market for players that will raise collective standards.

“You never know what’s going to happen in football.

“Any surprises, anything can happen, we have got to be ready. But I’m very happy with what we’ve done so far.”.