Manchester United still has to sign a midfielder in the summer transfer window, but the uncertainty surrounding Kobbie Mainoo could see that change before Deadline Day
Manchester United has three midfielders on their wish list, but there are no deals in the pipeline as the deadline of the summer transfer Raam approaches. United spent more than £ 200 million this summer to improve their front line, but problems continue to exist in midfield.
Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko all arrived this summer while Ruben Amorim tries to tackle their lean attacking return. United led only 44 goals in 38 Premier League matches last season and therefore gave priority to overhaul their attack.
Their 1-0 defeat by Arsenal and 1-1 draw against Fulham, however, has shown that Amorim still has a problem in central midfield. Together with Captain Bruno Fernandes, he introduced Casemiro in both games, but the balance was missing.
Kobbie Mainoo has been an unused replacement in both competitions and is considering his future prior to the Transfer Deadline of Monday. Mason Mount shifted to the central midfield in Craven Cottage before Manuel Ugarte took on the role of Casemiro.
Amorim does not see Mainoo as no. 6 midfielder and says that the Academy graduated is an alternative to Fernandes instead. United could therefore be tempted to cash in on Mainoo, which would be useful from a profit and sustainability perspective, since he is a home-grown player.
He may have to be sold for a new midfielder to sign, given that the pursuit of Royal Antwerp goalkeeper Senne Lammens is the current priority. Amorim would like to add an athletic and dynamic no. 6 to his team and United have three names on their radar.
The athletic reports that Carlos Baleba from Brighton, Adam Wharton from Crystal Palace and Sporting Lisbon's Morten Hjulmand are all admired in the club. United, however, has given up to sign Baleba, due to the heavenly £ 120 million appreciation of Brighton, while their interest in Wharton and Hjulmund was not developed at this stage either.
Hjulmand is extremely known at Amorim, who worked with the sporty captain during his time at the club and two Primeira Liga titles and the Taca de Portugal won. The 26-year-old is reportedly available for around £ 50 million, two years after signing Lecce for only £ 15 million.
Wharton has left for four years to his contract with Palace, who does not want to sell this summer after losing Ebereechi Eze to Arsenal and with Marc Guehi who might go to Liverpool. The 21-year-old caught the attention of scouts of rival Premier League parties and United would be confronted with competition if they moved for him.
The focus at United Before the window is on discharging their unwanted players, with Alejandro Garnacho in conversations about moving to Chelsea, Rasmus Hojlund is looked at by Napoli, RB Leipzig and Atalanta. Antony, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia were placed earlier this summer by Amorim in the 'Bomb Squad', but contracts remain players while the clock is standing.