04 Aug 2026 07:39:01
{Ed's Note - Philip_hunter2003 has posted a new article entitled, What United Still Need in the Transfer Window

1.) 04 Aug 2026
04 Aug 2026 08:29:55
I think lb is now the biggest priority, Lewis Hall, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Antonee Robinson, Adrien Truffert, and Maxim De Cuyper are probably the best options available.

Then I think we'll move for a third midfielder. Carlos Baleba is, I think, the club's top choice, but they won't overspend on him (or anyone). I think, with what we have signed already (Tielemans and Santos), along with Mainoo, what we lack is a physical, athletic midfielder. Other options could be Tyler Adams, Manu Kone or Sander Berge, who both offer EPL experience as well as having the right profile.

Given we have Mainoo and Santos, it makes sense to bring in someone who has a little more experience.

Beyond those two positions, I don't think we will sign anyone else unless we see players leave, and Rashford and Zirkzee will need to leave before we bring in another forward.

I also doubt we'll bring in another cb unless someone leaves, despite the obvious injury concerns.

2.) 04 Aug 2026
04 Aug 2026 10:52:25
Shappy, I'm not sure Zirkzee needs to leave for another forward to come in. I see him as more of an understudy to Bruno than to Sesko, if he stays.

Maybe, the club don't think he has what it takes to be a top level number 10. Maybe, he doesn't want to do it long term and wants to be a false 9, or maybe, he just doesn't want to be stuck behind Bruno for a season or two. He played that role a few times last season, though, and imo looked better there than as a striker, so maybe there's a future for him there.

Bruno is the clear first choice there for now, but he's not getting any younger, and there will be more games to be played now we're back in the Champions League.

There should be chances for someone to start building a case to be his long term successor, and if Zirkzee can do it, that seems more sensible than selling him for peanuts now, just to spend at least 2-3x as much next summer on a young CAM.

Hell, if Bruno leaves next summer (he'll be 33 just a few weeks into the season...), we could end up having to bring in a first-team ready replacement, which could easily cost well over 100m if the market is anything like this summer. If we need an understudy as well, we could easily be looking at 150-200m on one position.

3.) 04 Aug 2026
04 Aug 2026 11:45:21
I actually believe that things will flow once Rashford is sold / loaned. I believe the club was banking on Ugarte to go, but the injury hurt that option. My gut says United will sign one of:

MF - Beleba / Camavinga / Scott
LB - Hall / Truffart

I also believe the backup striker will be shelved until January as Cunha, Mbuemo, Mount are viewed as options there.

4.) 04 Aug 2026
04 Aug 2026 12:39:18
Mount as backup striker??? Really??

5.) 04 Aug 2026
04 Aug 2026 14:44:34
I see Zirkzee as a 10 as well.

Holds the ball up well. Decent touch.

I'm just not convinced he's suited to the EPL, and he would look good on the continent.

Lovely hair, though.

6.) 04 Aug 2026
04 Aug 2026 14:56:25
You have a slightly unhealthy obsession with Zirkzee, Stevie.

7.) 04 Aug 2026
04 Aug 2026 15:20:52
Nearly as pretty as Blind?

8.) 04 Aug 2026
04 Aug 2026 16:32:43
I don't see Zirkzee as a striker suited to the Prem, but he has a very good touch and is one of the better finishers at the club. I actually quite like him, but he can come across as lazy on the pitch.

He might do ok for the team in Europe, where it's a little slower paced. But I'd be worried if he was the main striker if the team has injuries.

Left back should be a priority. I like Lewis Hall, as do United, apparently.

I just can't see Newcastle wanting to sell any more players, so they will likely demand a crazy fee.

Can't see Baleba joining. The fee Brighton wants will probably be a lot more than he's worth and a lot more than United are willing to pay.

I don't think any of the midfielders being linked will join. I have a bad feeling they will say Mount can do a job there, as he's done ok playing in pre season. I hope that's not the case.

9.) 04 Aug 2026
04 Aug 2026 18:38:46
Tony, says the man still going on about Daley. ?