Manchester United went into the summer transfer window with the primary aim of revamping their midfield options.
Moves for Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans have already been completed, but the club still wants another signing in that department.
Online bookmakers have been impressed with United’s business to date, trimming their odds into 6/1 to win the Premier League title this season.
Fans who discover best betting sites such as 1xbet may be willing to take a punt on the Red Devils, particularly if they bring another midfielder to the club.
With that in mind, read on as we look at what Santos and Tielemans offer United, before assessing who could complete the midfield rebuild.
Midfield signings signal United’s intent
Kobbie Mainoo, Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte were United’s primary central midfield options after Michael Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim as manager in January.
Mainoo, Santos and Tielemans are undoubtedly an upgrade. If the club sign another midfielder, they will have an embarrassment of riches. And for United fans betting on their team, make sure to take advantage of the 1xBet login registration to avail new sign-up bonuses ahead of the upcoming season.
United fans are familiar with what Mainoo brings to the table. His resurgence under Carrick made a mockery of Amorim’s decision to sideline him.
Santos never quite fulfilled his potential at Chelsea, with Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo favoured as the first-choice midfield pairing.
However, he still ranked in the top four for success in duels across Premier League midfielders and in the top 25 for tackles and interceptions per game last season.
Tielemans’ qualities are no secret. He is more creative than Casemiro, with his ability to play line-breaking passes making him a key cog in Aston Villa’s midfield.
Alongside Mainoo, the new signings offer United different ways to control games in midfield. Signing another player would take things to another level.
Shrewd transfer approach can pay dividends
Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe insisted that United would no longer overpay for players in the transfer market when he arrived at the club.
They have stuck rigidly to that policy this summer, steering clear of moves for Elliot Anderson, Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali.
Manchester City may feel they have had their pants pulled down after paying £116 million to sign Anderson from Nottingham Forest this summer.
Anderson was hugely underwhelming for England at the World Cup despite being touted as one of the world’s best midfielders before the tournament.
Given their transfer business under Ratcliffe, United are unlikely to pay more than £60m to sign another midfielder this summer.
That immediately rules Adam Wharton out of the equation, despite him having a similar skillset to Carrick during his playing career.
The club’s staff reportedly believe he is too similar to Mainoo. That viewpoint is flawed, but Crystal Palace’s asking price rules out a move for Wharton.
Bournemouth’s Alex Scott has also been touted as an option, but he is another player who would not come cheap. It can also be argued that he is not good enough for United.
If United decide not to resurrect a move for Atlanta star Ederson, they could reignite their interest in Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba.
He was previously rated at £100m, but a poor season will have taken a sizeable dent out of that prohibitive asking price.
The Seagulls have proved to be tough negotiators in recent years, but a £60m offer may be enough to persuade them to sell the 22-year-old.
Brentford’s Vitaly Janelt and Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller are other cost-effective options United could consider to complete their midfield rebuild.
However, it would be no surprise if United repeated their stealthy approach to the signings of Santos and Tielemans by targeting a player no one expects them to sign. And as the Red Devils keep up the squad rebuild, it’s worth your time to get 1xBet apk for free to make mobile wagers on the League and FA Cup competitions this season, where United will be hoping to do much better than last time around.
