By the time the transfer window closes, Manchester United’s starting eleven could look completely different.
Teams have just two days left to complete their tasks, as this summer’s window ends at 11 p.m. on Friday.
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The Red Devils have already signed many new defenders this summer Leny YoroMatthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui as well as strikers Joshua Zirkzeeand lost £148 million.
They have also released and sold a number of players Michael Greenwood, Aaron Wan-BissakaWilly Kambwala, Donny van de Beek and so forth, Scott McTominay.
However, Man United’s work is not finished this summer.
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte is expected to be announced shortly, with Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling also being discussed.
Erik ten Hag’s side suffered a 2-1 defeat to Brighton at the AMEX Stadium on Saturday and the Dutchman will no doubt welcome reinforcements to avoid repeating the same fate against arch-rivals Liverpool on Sunday.
So how different could Man United’s eleven look at Old Trafford this weekend with the transfer window closed for another five months?
defense
Man United’s defence will remain largely unchanged from the back four and goalkeeper of the opening games.
This is with the exception of £38.5 million centre-back De Ligt, who is certainly not far from taking Harry Maguire’s place in the team.
We reported last week that Man United had been offered Chelsea left-back Chilwell, and with the Red Devils missing Lukas Schröder And Tyrell Malacia Due to injuries they need a new option there.
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Diogo Dalot is currently filling the gap until their return – however, the news about Chilwell – who is part of Chelsea’s bomb disposal squad – and Man United seems to have gone stale.
Chilwell’s wages could reportedly be a barrier to a potential last-minute loan, with his pay rise last year meaning he now earns £200,000-a-week.
It looks like Dalot will take over the left-back position for now.
Meanwhile, Mazraoui, who was signed in the summer, will continue to play as right-back, while Lisandro Martinez will support de Ligt in midfield.
midfield
The Pitch Prospect has learned that midfielder Ugarte will join for a fee of £49.29m, with a further £8.46m available.
The Uruguayan has already been compared to a young Javier Mascherano, and The Pitch Prospect European football expert Kevin Hatchard says he is best used as a defensive midfielder at Man United.
“He’s a very defensive-minded midfielder,” he told The Pitch Prospect Breakfast on Wednesday. “Someone who will win the ball back for you and create moves.”
“But it’s not particularly advanced, so you know what you’re getting.
“He’s not the type to score a lot of goals or break down a defence with a pass, but he gets you started by winning the ball back.
“And you know, if that’s what you need, think Casemiro but not so good at the moment. But of course Casemiro seems to be on the decline a little bit, so they’re thinking, you know, long term.”
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With that in mind, it would not be a surprise to see Ugarte start in United’s midfield.
He will be next Kobbie Mainoo And Bruno Fernandeswith the United captain dropping back into his attacking midfield role after starting up front in the absence of Rasmus Hojlund.
attack
This is the area of the pitch that could look drastically different for Man United once this transfer window closes.
Fernandes led the attack with Hojlund injured and Joshua Zirkzee just getting going, but now it’s time for the former Bologna striker to start up front.
In the meantime, United’s outside positions could be filled by completely different personnel.
United have been heavily linked with Chelsea outsider Raheem Sterling.
Possible swap deal between Chelsea and Manchester United involving him and the Red Devils’ disgraced winger Jadon Sancho The Pitch Prospect understands that the problem is not yet very advanced.
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However, if Sterling is signed by United, given his experience and the United star’s inconsistent form, he would likely move into the starting line-up, taking the place of his England teammate Rashford on the left wing.
Sancho, meanwhile, seems ready to move to Juventus.
Although Amad Diallo scored against Brighton, it is likely that Ten Hag will want to bring the more experienced Garnacho into the team, with Diallo taking on more of a substitute role.
And this despite the fact that Garnacho usually comes on the left side.
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Ten Hag has already been tipped to bring the Argentinian into the team, with The Pitch Prospect Drive co-host Darren Bent He emphasized that he has the ability to change games and is a better option than the usual starter Marcus Rashford.
So should Sterling betray his Man City past and arrive at Old Trafford before the end of Friday, he, Zirkzee and Garnacho will form Man United’s attack.
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