What else do Man Utd need to do this summer after confirming signing of Cunha? | OneFootball

Manchester United are facing a big rebuild having endured their worst ever Premier League campaign.

The mid-season arrival of head coach Ruben Amorim did little to improve results, in fact, his arrival saw a downturn in form.

With the summer fast approaching, and a transfer window that starts earlier than usual courtesy of the Club World Cup, we’ve taken a look at what the club can do to improve next season.

Plenty of exits

Christian Erisken, Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof have already announced their departure from the club, but United’s squad remains a patchwork quilt of playing styles brought in under different regimes.

High-earners Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Antony all went out on loan in January having been deemed surplus to requirements at Old Trafford. Shifting the trio on would do wonders for the club’s balance sheet.

Homegrown talent Alejandro Garnacho also looks set to leave, and any transfer fee received for the high-potential youngster would represent pure profit.

Garnacho’s exit feels harshest for United’s fans to take in this reset. His natural ability has shone through at times but his comments after the Europa League final in which he criticised the decision not to start him has damaged his relationship with Amorim.

Removing the likes of Garnacho might just be the culture shock that the club needs.

There is also the looming question of whether Bruno Fernandes will stay or go. Saudi side Al Hilal are reportedly willing to pay big money for the midfielder, which would no doubt go a long way towards rebuilding the team. His presence would inevitably be a huge loss though.

Fixing the attack

Much of United’s failures this year have been put down to the squad’s inability to fit into Ruben Amorim’s system. Taking advantage of the window to change that is a must.

Matheus Cunha’s move has now been confirmed, who looks well qualified to occupy the left ten position in the system. Meanwhile, Bryan Mbeumo has also been linked to the club and would fill the right attacking position, which would mean a shift for Bruno Fernandes into central midfield should he stay.

Amorim himself has spoken of the need to add more pace and power to the frontline and they already look to be making progress towards that.

A misfiring Rasmus Hojlund and a positionally confused Joshua Zirkzee, meanwhile, have failed to provide the goals needed.

United underperformed their xG in the Premier League by 10 goals and scored just 44 times in 38 games, nowhere near enough required. A new striker is a must, one who can lead the line, change a game, and tie together the attack.

Liam Delap looks to have chosen Stamford Bridge over Old Trafford but the Red Devils retain an interest in Viktor Gyokeres, as well as Victor Osimhen.

Searching for specialists

The work rate that Amorim and his system demand have not been met by a squad playing mostly out of position, an issue most apparent at wing-back.

Diogo Dalot, a fine right-back, as well as Noussair Mazraoui, have found themselves playing out of position and even on the opposite flank.

The January arrival of Patrick Dorgu has seen the big Dane show his athleticism up and down the left wing but another similar signing is required for the right.

Nelson Semedo, who plays in a 3-4-3 at Wolves and is nearing the end of his contract, has been rumoured as a target.

Midfield solidity

Since the decline of Michael Carrick’s abilities towards the end of his Manchester United career, the club has been screaming for a number six that can tie together the base of the midfield.

Casemiro has come closest but his age and high salary has come with plenty of controversy amid inconsistent form. Manuel Ugarte, a player who made his name in an Amorim 3-4-3 at Sporting Lisbon, has not made the impact required.

Atalanta man Ederson is a box-to-box player with abundant athleticism and experienced with Atalanta’s three at the back. Morten Hjulmand, who replaced Ugarte at Sporting under Amorim, is another linked.

Looking forward

With no European football to play next season, Ruben Amorim said: “I have to say that for us not to be in the Champions League could be an advantage to perform well, to perform better the games, to build that core that we need for the future.”

Time to work on the training pitch, as well as his first pre-season, might be exactly what Manchester United need, to return to the upper echelons of English football.