The major transfer dilemmas Manchester United still need to solve this summer

Assessing Manchester United’s summer transfer activity is often akin to watching a particularly obstinate dog chase their own tail. Round and round they go in unhinged circles, gnashing and grumbling with confused exertion, never actually getting any closer to achieving their befuddled aims.

Or at least, that tends to be the way of it. In the decade since Sir Alex Ferguson hung up his chewing gum, the Red Devils have spent big and received very little of worth in return. At times, it has felt as if they have been conducting their transfer business in one of those arcade claw machines - grabbing at anything, often letting the good stuff slip through their fingers, and paying massively over the odds for the privilege of it all.

This summer, however, has been different. Kind of. United have still been liberal with the old chequebook, but the signings that thay have pushed for have actually made some sense. I know, I am as astonished as you are. Erik ten Hag, that cerebral Andy Parsons doppelganger, has identified the flaws and weaknesses in his squad, and he has sought to address them.

Andre Onana, for instance, is exactly the sort of ball-playing goalkeeper that David de Gea was never going to be. In the case of Mason Mount, he will provide yet another creative force in a midfield that has looked flimsy and undercooked on occasion. Even Jonny Evans, that novelty prodigal paperweight, has served his purpose in preseason, and were he to sign permanently, could probably do a decent enough job if and when required.

But with a month left before the transfer window slams/crashes/bangs (whichever cliche you prefer) shut, there is still work to be done at Old Trafford; still players to be bought and sold, still sagas to be concluded. With that in mind, let us comb through the rubble of speculation with the shovel of logic and the flashlight of likelihood to determine what more is required.

Sign

Let’s start with the juiciest morsels - the potential incomings. At the time of writing this article, Rasmus Hojlund is not a Manchester United player, but by the time you’re reading it, he very well might be. A deal for the young Dane edges ever closer to confirmation, and the understanding is that he will be leaving Atalanta for the Premier League sooner rather than later.

At just 20, Hojlund still has a near-boundless potential to realise, and while his goal-scoring return maybe isn’t quite as auspicious as other targets who have been linked with the Red Devils in recent times, a closer examination of his game would suggest that he has all the tools required to be a real success at Old Trafford. He occupies defenders well, he has a real knack for showing up in the right place at the right time, and he has cost considerably less than, say, Victor Osimhen would have. There is a reason why Ten Hag wanted him so vehemently.

Elsewhere, a little added bite in the heart of midfield would be appreciated, and the most probable acquisition in that regard would be Moroccan international Sofyan Amrabat - not to be confused with elder brother Nordin. The Fiorentina enforcer has been heavily touted for an exit all summer long, and while there are some doubts over whether or not he will actually leave Italy in the coming weeks, United will surely remain interested until the last.

Sell

For every player United seek to bring in, however, they could look to offload a handful more. Already, the Red Devils have bid permanent farewells to Anthony Elanga, Alex Telles, Zidane Iqbal, David de Gea, Phil Jones, and Axel Tuanzebe, and that cavalcade could very well be the tip of the proverbial iceberg.

Chief among the purgatorial loiterers is Harry Maguire, a man who, at this stage, would surely regard his departure as an act of great mercy. See also Dean Henderson, although the England international could be prevented from dipping if United fail to sign a suitable understudy for the aforementioned Onana.

Across the dressing room, Scott McTominay is being wooed by just about every European qualification hopeful with £40-50 million burning a whole in their back pocket, Fred could soon make like his Scooby Doo namesake and split up to look for clues elsewhere, and would anybody bat an eyelid if Eric Bailly was quietly ushered out of the back door? Thought not.

Oh, and then there’s Donny van de Beek. You would imagine that were a suitable offer to come in, United would probably sell the Dutchman without a moment’s hesitation, but then again, to do that, they’d first have to remember where they last saw him.

Loan

And then there are the possible loanees. In truth, any of the players mentioned above could sneak out of Ten Hag’s plans on temporary agreements, perhaps with obligations to buy folded into them further down the line. Of the rest of the squad, however, there are some fairly obvious candidates who could be in line for a stint away from Old Trafford.

Take Teden Mengi, who has frequently been linked with a potential exit this summer, following on from previous spells with Derby County and Birmingham City. Or Amad Diallo, perhaps, who impressed so immensely for Sunderland last term, and who featured heavily in preseason prior to picking up an injury against Arsenal in New Jersey.

Elsewhere, Brandon Williams could surely benefit from first team football at another club, Shola Shoretire is reaching a stage at which minutes are going to become an increasing necessity, and academy prospect Noam Emeran is said to be a target for both Coventry City and Sunderland. If they can’t get Amad back, why not get his mate instead?

Other young players who may struggle for frequent opportunities in the coming months include Facundo Pellistri, Alvaro Fernandez, and Hannibal Mejbri, although it is worth pointing out that at this precise moment in time, there is nothing to suggest that Ten Hag won’t elect to keep them around the first team for the time being.