{"id":635799,"date":"2024-02-12T02:00:37","date_gmt":"2024-02-12T07:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=635799"},"modified":"2024-02-11T19:08:57","modified_gmt":"2024-02-12T00:08:57","slug":"manchester-united-rebuild-garnacho-hojlund-mainoo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2024\/02\/12\/manchester-united-rebuild-garnacho-hojlund-mainoo\/","title":{"rendered":"How Manchester United Can Rebuild Around Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund & Kobbie Mainoo This Summer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Things are on the up for Manchester United after Sunday\u2019s 2-1 victory over fifth-placed Aston Villa reduced the deficit for United to just five points. Despite signs of a change in fortune for the short term, it is clear that the club needs to rebuild the squad around the burgeoning talents of goalscorer Rasmus Hojlund, Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho.<\/span><\/p>\n

How Manchester United Can Rebuild Around Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho & Kobbie Mainoo<\/b><\/h2>\n

Reduce Erik ten Hag\u2019s Transfer Influence\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

Erik ten Hag has had a strong level of influence on transfer business and has been backed in the market by the ownership. Since joining the club, they have permanently signed: Casemiro (\u00a370 million), Lisandro Martinez (\u00a357m), Tyrell Malacia \u00a314.5m), Antony (\u00a385m), Andre Onana (\u00a347.2m), Rasmus Holjund (\u00a372m), Mason Mount (\u00a360m), Christian Eriksen (free).\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While 21-year-old Rasmus Hojlund has begun to repay some of the faith shown in him, Casemiro is 31 years old and it\u2019s beginning to show at times. Lisandro Martinez has been excellent but now faces a third lengthy spell on the sidelines in just two seasons.<\/span><\/p>\n

Onana has struggled early in his United career and suffered several costly mistakes in the Champions League group stage. Mount has looked out of place on the occasion he\u2019s been match-fit. Just as concerning, Antony has recorded zero goals and assists in 19 league appearances. Last season, he only managed four goals and two assists.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Read More:\u00a0<\/strong>\u2018Initial Discussions Took Place\u2019: Manchester United Make Progress On New Contract For \u2018Incredible\u2019 Star<\/a><\/p>\n

Key players in the squad have begun to age, Raphael Varane (signed for \u00a341m in 2021) is 30, Bruno Fernandes is 29. Harry Maguire is now 30, while Victor Lindelof is 29, leaving an ageing defensive partnership in the centre when Martinez is unavailable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For all the money spent on Erik ten Hag\u2019s targets, it simply hasn\u2019t shown results and has failed to refresh the squad. As a result, they are now limited by profit and sustainability requirements and will need to maximise the sale prices of their ageing talent.<\/span><\/p>\n

If United\u2019s squad can\u2019t carry out the tactics the manager would like, as he has previously <\/span>suggested<\/span><\/a>, and he has helped build the squad, then perhaps the ownership needs to restore the power balance in favour of senior recruitment staff.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Read More:\u00a0<\/strong>\u2018Look Forward To Seeing Him Back\u2019: Man Utd Reveal Injury Layoff Timeframe For Vital World-Cup Winner<\/a><\/p>\n

Red Devils Need to Steadily Build Around Emerging Talents\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

The saving grace of this dire season for the Reds is the emergence of young talent in the form of Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garancho, Hojlund, who is growing in confidence, bagging his fifth Premier League goal at Villa Park.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To maximise their potential and build around other key players in the squad, sales are needed to fund moves.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Club Must Prioritise Sales of Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof, Aaron Wan Bissaka\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

To create funds for new moves in the summer and subsequent transfer windows, United should aim to shed Raphael Varane\u2019s huge \u00a3250,000 wages. It\u2019s becoming clear that the cost probably isn\u2019t justified by a player who is undoubtedly solid but has been unavailable far too often. Collecting a fee for him and offloading the wages could create options for bigger moves on young stars.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A sale of Victor Lindelof, who has played only 13 of the 24 league games so far, would also free up funds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Diogo Dalot has clearly been the first choice right back for United for quite some time, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka limited to featuring in 31 league games over two seasons. <\/span><\/p>\n

At just 26 years old, he could have a few bidders with a strong offer, with his excellent one-versus-one defender extremely valuable for teams lower down the table.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

These potential sales could provide a cash injection to help Manchester United hunt for deals in the summer. Offloading Christian Eriksen and Anthony Martial\u2019s wages could also free up room in the budget.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Read More:\u00a0<\/strong>Manchester United Land Man City CEO In \u2018Major Coup\u2019 For New Owners INEOS & Sir Jim Ratcliffe<\/a><\/p>\n

Manchester United Rebuild Should Feature Frimpong, Bastoni, Bennacur\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

One opportunity for a bargain in the summer is Bayer Leverkusen\u2019s 23-year-old Jeromie Frimpong (\u00a334 million release clause in July). With Xabi Alonso linked with the Liverpool job to replace Jurgen Klopp, Frimpong could be tempted by a move to the Premier League.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\ud83c\uddf3\ud83c\uddf1 Understand Bayer Leverkusen stance on Jeremie Frimpong is very clear: no intention to sell Dutch RB or any other player in January.<\/p>\n

Top clubs want Frimpong but it\u2019s one for June as \u20ac40m release clause will become active in the summer.<\/p>\n

The clause is NOT valid in January. pic.twitter.com\/QsyU3O67WJ<\/a><\/p>\n

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 4, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n