Manchester United have reportedly shelved plans to sign an attacker in January and will concentrate on defensive reinforcements, with Michael Carrick still in post. The shift follows a 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth and leaves the club 16th in the Premier League after eight matches, with questions over recruitment. According to Football365.com.
United reportedly put attack on ice as defence becomes January priority
Journalist Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider reports that Manchester United will delay strengthening elsewhere as they prioritise defensive signings in January. Attacking moves have been put on ice by the club, according to the report, while United are said to be ready to accelerate plans for new defenders in the mid-season window.
O’Rourke said on Football Insider‘s podcast that a new attacker is unlikely to be a top target at present and will be pushed down the agenda. He believes restructuring the defence is probably the main priority across the next couple of transfer windows, because that area has been a problem position for Carrick.
O’Rourke added that the back line needs reinforcing with players out of contract, and that United have struggled this season after conceding too many goals. He expects that to be the top priority for the recruitment team, with any plans to sign new attacking players delayed for now.
Carrick’s position had looked precarious after Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth, with widespread reports indicating he was expected to be sacked early this week. It then became clear he had kept his job. United are 16th in the Premier League after eight matches, out of the Carabao Cup, and 20th in the Champions League standings after a 4-1 loss to Como.
Hope had remained that United would add a striker in January, with Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo both used at centre-forward at times this season. There was also a feeling among fans after the summer window closed that Carrick lacked the right backing, with INEOS only allowing improvements in midfield.
Liverpool legend Steve Gerrard, speaking on Overlap Daily, said many United players are not good enough, including some summer signings. He pointed to Andrey Santos, a £50 million signing from Chelsea, and to Carlos Baleba at £70 million, describing Baleba as having potential but not being ready to help United compete at the top of the league now.
Gerrard also said Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw are “not Manchester United players anymore” and should have been moved on quicker. Up front, he rated Mbeumo as probably one of the brightest spots of the season, but noted Cunha has been dropped and Benjamin Sesko is injured, saying United have “problems all over the place”.
