SOLSKJAER REJECT, GERMANY'S "BEST DEFENDER": 6 SUMMER TARGETS FOR MAN UTD

After a poor start to the 2024/25 season, Manchester United used the January transfer window to bring in a number of new faces.

The Red Devils purchased Danish defender Patrick Dorgu from Lecce in the hope that he could solve their long-standing issues at left-back. Teenager Ayden Heaven was also brought in from Arsenal to reinforce Ruben Amorim's perpetually injured defence.

There were some departures too. Antony joined Real Betis on loan, while Marcus Rashford, who had been at the centre of a public spat with Amorim, joined Premier League rivals Aston Villa until the end of the season, though the option is there for the Villans to sign him permanently for £40m in the summer.

How those new signings or loanees will fare for the rest of the season remains to be seen. But even if Dorgu and Heaven light up Old Trafford, and Antony and Rashford enjoy solid loan spells and return as new players, there is no doubt that United will still need to strengthen at the end of the campaign.

A new goalkeeper is a must, while bringing in a new striker, or perhaps even two, is also essential, with Rasmus Hojlund sadly just not possessing what it takes to fire the club back to its former glory.

Here are six players we think United should target in the summer.

Victor Osimhen

Galatasaray/Napoli

If Manchester United are to challenge for the Premier League title again, they need a striker capable of scoring 20-plus goals a season - a Ruud van Nistelrooy, a Robin van Persie, a Dimitar Berbatov. Victor Osimhen has the potential to be that player.

During his four seasons at Napoli, the Nigerian forward was a revelation, leading them to their first Serie A title since 1990 with his blistering pace, strength and aerial dominance. In 133 games for the Partenopei, he scored 76 goals, including 31 in 39 appearances during the 2022/23 season as the club lifted the Scudetto.

Now on loan at Turkish side Galatasaray, he has once again proven why he's one of the deadliest strikers in world football, netting 17 goals in just 22 games. However, he isn’t expected to stay in Istanbul beyond the end of the season, opening the door for United to make their move.

Jonathan Tah

Bayer Leverkusen

United signed two new centre-backs last summer in Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro, but the jury is still out on both.

And despite their best efforts, Lisandro Martínez and Harry Maguire remain inconsistent, while Jonny Evans - though a cult hero at the club - is approaching the twilight of his career.

A new centre-back is a must, and few are better than Jonathan Tah. Recently described as "maybe the best defender in Germany" by Liverpool manager Arne Slot, the Bayer Leverkusen star is out of contract at the end of the season and has already said he will leave the BayArena in the summer.

United are reported to have already enquired about the 28-year-old.

Geovany Quenda

Sporting CP

Given the success he had at Sporting CP, United fans will no doubt be hoping that Ruben Amorim can lure some of his former players to Old Trafford in the near future.

While striker Viktor Gyokeres is the name that comes to mind for most, the Swede may be out of reach given United's on-pitch woes. And if United were to sign Victor Osimhen, they wouldn't need two world-class strikers - especially since Amorim typically plays with just one up top.

Instead of Gyokeres, Amorim should look to bring in youngster Geovany Quenda, who has established himself as one of the brightest young talents in European football with the help of Portuguese boss.

Since being handed his professional debut by Amorim last year, the 17-year-old has made 35 appearances for the Portuguese side, scoring two goals and providing six assists.

Capable of playing as either a right-winger or right wing-back, not only could he slot seamlessly into Amorim’s system at United, but he could be a long-term replacement for Alejandro Garnacho amid exit links involving the Argentinian.

Brice Samba

Rennes

Though he occasionally pulls off a great save, Andre Onana is simply too error-prone to be United’s No 1. Since moving to Old Trafford in 2023, the Cameroon international has made four errors leading to goals in the Premier League and conceded 10 penalties.

His distribution - once considered his biggest strength - has also declined at United, with the goalkeeper completing barely 30% of his long balls this season.

Being able to distribute effectively and launch quick counters is key to Ruben Amorim’s style of play, and statistically speaking, Rennes keeper Brice Samba has been the best in Europe in this department in recent times, boasting one of the highest pass completion rates in any of the continent's top five leagues this season, as per FBref.

The former Nottingham Forest star also holds the best save percentage across those divisions and has a record of making few errors.

Jarrad Branthwaite

Everton

If United are to fix their leaky defence, they will need not one, but two quality central defenders.

In addition to Jonathan Tah, Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite would be a signing that would truly send a statement that the club means business.

Despite playing in a poor, though now improving, Everton side, the Englishman has been one of the Premier League's most outstanding centre-backs over the past couple of years, and has become a United transfer target of late.

The 22-year-old has already earned the approval of United legend and former caretaker manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, who worked with him during his time at PSV Eindhoven.

"It was a joy to work with Jarrad. He came as a young lad on loan," Van Nistelrooy, who is now in charge of Leicester City, recently said of the youngster. "He learned a lot at PSV and we won trophies there together. The way he improved was fantastic, through hard work and training every day.

"He got himself to a great level and to the national team," he added. "There’s a great future ahead for him."

Angel Gomes

Lille

They say you should never reunite with your ex, but what if your ex has suddenly sorted out all their problems and become really, really good-looking?

Shallow, we know, but in football terms, that’s exactly what's happened with Angel Gomes. Since leaving Old Trafford for Lille in 2020 under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, he has gone from strength to strength - proving himself to be exactly the type of transitioning and technically gifted central midfielder that United have craved over the past few years.

Now an England international, the Red Devils should do everything in their power to bring him back to Old Trafford in the summer.

2025-02-05T07:27:11Z