Premier League
United Arrive in Singapore: What to Expect This Week
After two wins in two games on the Australian leg of their pan-Asian preseason tour, Manchester United arrived in Singapore on Thursday night. This ahead of their friendly match against Italian giants Inter Milan. With the futures of Romelu Lukaku and Paul Pogba still in doubt and the impending signing of Leicester City’s Harry Maguire along with constant links to Sporting Lisbon’s Bruno Fernandes floating around, there is much anticipation for what may seem to be a huge week for the club.
Lukaku’s Future
Lukaku’s arrival to United in 2017 for a fee of $100 million was, at the time, a statement from the board of their clear intent to spend the money on big names. Yet, this is a statement that has failed to live up to the expectations.
While the Belgian still maintains a strong goal to game ratio for United, it is his part in the attacking build-up play that has sparked discontent among the Old Trafford faithful.
Last week’s meetings regarding the transfer between Inter and United representatives seemed to have ended on a disagreement on the payment structure of the deal. Marcus Rashford is seemingly becoming the focal point of United’s attack under Ole Gunnar Solksjaer. Additionally, Lukaku’s absence from both of the preseason games show signs of the Belgian’s imminent departure from Manchester.
Arriving In Singapore
As the United squad arrived in Singapore, news broke of Real Madrid’s apparent surrendering of their pursuit of Paul Pogba. According to ESPN, Real Madrid President Florentino Perez notified Zinedine Zidane that bringing in Pogba this summer will be ‘very difficult’.
This serves as a positive sign for Solksjaer and United. They evidently see the Frenchman as the main player to build a young and exciting team around.
One of the main pieces to this young jigsaw looks set to be Harry Maguire from Leicester City. The 26-year-old England international has reportedly told his teammates that he wants to leave and complete his move to Manchester United.
The agreed fee of $99.8 million will see Maguire become the much needed Nemanja Vidic-type center back. Someone that the team has been crying out for since the Serbian’s transfer to Inter Milan in 2014.
Bruno Fernandes
Another addition to the Red Devils’ current weak midfield could come in the form of Portuguese international Bruno Fernandes. After recording 25 goals and 13 assists in 45 appearances last season, he put himself on the scouting boards of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Media outlets from both Portugal and England have recently started to link Fernandes to United. This amid talks of a $50 million bid being prepared by United CEO Ed Woodward. Fernandes would take the pressure off of Pogba and company. When it comes to chance creation as well as adding a goal-scoring threat from the midfield position, he fits well.
With less than three weeks left in the transfer window, Woodward and United have to act quickly and efficiently. This, in order to get a team together that has strength in depth ready for August 11th at home to Chelsea.
Written by Jacob Robson
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