As we get ever closer to the January transfer window, the Premier League has uniquely open fights in the title race, the battle for European spots and the relegation scrap. Manchester United have struggled in the early months of this season but could still look to reinforce with some transfers as part of a push for Champions League football. We’ve assessed and graded all of Manchester United’s summer signings ahead of the next window.
Grading Every Manchester United Summer Signing
Rasmus Hojlund (£72 Million) from Atalanta: B-
It may seem generous to give a solid grade to an unproven 20-year-old with 0 goals in 14 Premier League games, but there is undoubtedly something special about Rasmus Hojlund. His pace, strength, and tenacious work rate helped him earn five goals in United’s failed Champions League run, which put him level at the top of the scorers table with Erling Haaland and Alvaro Morata.
However, there are some big caveats to our positivity around the signing. Erik ten Hag’s side was in desperate need of a goalscorer ahead of this season, as well as some polished link-up play. Instead, they spent over the odds (£72 million) on a striker with under a season of elite football experience.
While some have suggested Harry Kane would have been the ideal signing, it seems very unlikely that Daniel Levy’s Tottenham would have ever allowed him to join United, especially given the hesitancy displayed in their eventual deal with Bayern Munich. Regardless, they needed a reliable and ready goalscorer to ease some pressure on the youngster and ultimately they failed to acquire one.
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Despite his huge potential, the Danish prospect often looks isolated in the attack and has struggled to affect games. However, it’s worth noting that he does look dangerous around the box and needs much more support from Bruno Fernandes and his wingers, who have failed to deliver.
While Hojlund is registering a solid 0.45 non-penalty xG per game, he only manages an average of 1.83 shots per 90 in the Premier League. At 78th place in that metric, he records fewer attempts than Luton Town’s Ross Barkley and Crystal Palace’s Jordan Ayew.
One for the future? Certainly, but Ten Hag needs results now and this deal certainly didn’t come cheap. At a push, we’ve graded Hojlund at a B minus.
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Andre Onana (£47.5 Million) from Inter Milan: D
Where to begin with the £47.5 million, Champions League finalist and star of former club Inter Milan? Onana’s fantastic shot-stopping and strong, varied distribution made him an ideal candidate to replace a troubled David De Gea. This is a keeper so brave and controlled with long-range distribution that Pep Guardiola said he had played like “a holding midfielder” in the final minutes of Inter’s final against Manchester City and made his side “struggle”.
Perhaps we can start with a defence of the Cameroon national. With Onana in goal, United have conceded 23 goals, level with Spurs and just one more than Aston Villa. He managed a clean sheet at Anfield despite Liverpool’s excellent form and United are, at least, in contention for a top-four finish.
The 27-year-old also saved a crucial penalty, which was the game’s final kick in United’s first tie against Copenhagen, securing his side’s first and only European victory of the season.
Any positivity, however, is massively undercut by a big handful of horrific performances and individual errors, including some incredible blunders that helped to send the Red Devils out of European football. Along with high-profile mistakes against Bayern and Copenhagen, his two shocking attempts to stop Hakim Ziyech’s free kicks in Galatasaray led to their collapse and ultimately their exit from the competition. They had led that game 2-0 and 3-1, only to draw 3-3.
While his teammates hardly did themselves proud, he may be the primary cause of their early European exit. Outside of the obvious blunders, he often looks panicked. Against Liverpool, he spilt crosses into dangerous areas and was very fortunate not to give away a penalty against Wolves in the final minutes of their opening league game at Old Trafford. His distribution has also been much more shaky than expected.
Sofyan Amrabat (Loan with an Option to Buy) from Fiorentina: B-
Perhaps the best praise you could offer Sofyan Amrabat is that he hasn’t been the reason for Manchester United’s struggles. unfortunately, he hasn’t been a solution for them either. Despite impressive performances in World Cup 2022 and Fiorentina’s Conference League final against West Ham, the Moroccan often looks unable to keep up with the pace and intensity of the Premier League.
He has displayed tidy passing and composure in big games, but ultimately the defence has struggled to move the ball forward despite his presence. Perhaps Casemiro’s eventual return in the new year will help him.
Mason Mount (£55 Million) from Chelsea to Manchester United: D
The jury is still out on Mason Mount’s prospects in the north of England. He simply hasn’t played enough football in Manchester to make a fair assessment. The English international has suffered some unfortunate injuries since his move, so he’s been hugely limited in-game time. What has been seen, however, is a cause for concern.
Erik ten Hag was a big fan of Mason Mount, even before he exploded onto the scene with Chelsea. The then-Ajax head coach first came across the midfielder on loan at Vitesse Arnhem, when he was just 18 years old. Mount recorded 14 goals and 10 assists in his first season in the Eredivisie.
Many years later, the attacking midfielder won a Champions League & Chelsea Player of the Season two years in a row. Along with this success, he had become a favourite of England manager Gareth Southgate. Last season, however, he struggled, along with most Chelsea players in fairness and not least because of multiple injury setbacks.
Once again, he is struggling for fitness and has suffered a couple of injuries since signing. When available, Ten Hag has most often benched the midfielder. On the occasions he’s started or come off the bench he’s been ineffective and disappointing.
The Athletic reported this summer that United believed Mount could play deeper as Christian Eriksen had begun to. As a result, they didn’t press with plans to make a cash-plus-player offer for Declan Rice. In retrospect, this decision seems very poor, even if they would have been unlikely to succeed in a battle with Arsenal and their city rivals. D.
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Jonny Evans (Free Agent) Returning from Leicester to Manchester United: B+
Now bear with us here. Manchester United’s recruitment staff should take no pride in this signing. For a club trying to renew its future and grow back towards the glory days seen under Sir Alex Ferguson, they should not be relying on a 35-year-old, former player and free agent released by a relegated Leicester side.
However, the Northern Ireland international, who probably expected to do his coaching badges and fill in for minor cup clashes, has instead been pivotal as he has been forced to cover for his colleagues in crucial Champions League and Premier League ties. This is a poor reflection upon the club. Regardless, Jonny Evans himself has been serviceable and avoided any personal mistakes leading to goals against his side.
He deserves plenty of credit for stepping up and fighting for his club when they needed him. Evans is an excellent example of low-key leadership: not shouting and screaming at teammates, instead he remains calm and is constantly willing to step up when called upon. B+
Sergio Reguilon (Loan) from Tottenham Hotspur: B+
The loanee from Spurs did not arrive at a great cost and as a result, we shouldn’t expect miracles. However, the Spanish full-back has been solid and applied himself since joining United on loan. While he has had a small number of mediocre performances, he cannot reasonably be blamed for any particular defeats.
It is clear though, that he doesn’t possess the technical ability and composure of Luke Shaw. When the Englishman is available, he has to start in place of Sergio Reguilon if they want to be at their best.
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Altay Bayindir (Loan) from Fenerbahce: N/A
Quite simply, we can’t grade a player who hasn’t played a single minute. The 25-year-old keeper arrived for £4.3 million from Fenerbahce this summer but hasn’t had a chance to play for his new side.
However, with teammate Onana potentially off to AFCON in the new year, Altay Bayindir may get his first chance to play for Manchester United. Until then, he remains untested and ungraded.
