Manchester United’s Current Forwards Need Support

Manchester United might have come through with the three points away at Brighton & Hove Albion, but they made mincemeat of the game, leaving it until the 100^th minute to see off the opposition.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sent out a strong team that comprised of the best forward line the Red Devils can offer, but it was a glaring admission to their lack of squad depth given there was not one option from the bench that can occupy the flanks or play through the middle.

It has been so secret that Man United are trying to secure the services of Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho. But, after many months of indirect and direct negotiations, they are finding it increasingly difficult to broker a deal with the German club – who remain adamant he will not be sold unless £100 million plus add-ons comes their way.

Whether or not a deal can be struck before the October 5^th transfer deadline remains to be seen, but it is clear that Manchester United simply have to sign reinforcements in both attack and defence to bolster the squad with quality.

With participation in the Champions League having been achieved last season, it is paramount that the manager has a squad that he can trust in both the Premier League and European competition with such a quick turnaround.

Mason Greenwood has been thrusted into the spotlight at the tender age of 18, and while he has shown he can handle the step up to Premier League football, it would be foolish to expect him to perform to a consistently high standard every three or four days.

No club can compete for major honours in more than one competition with a thin squad that the manager cannot trust, which appears to be the overwhelming view of Solskjaer and this current crop of players.

Alex Telles has been spoken about behind closed doors and are reaching an advanced stage now with FC Porto, who are looking to sell for €22 million. Manchester United know that the Portuguese club are in need of cash and looking to drive down the price, but it might well come to a point where they simply have to pay the going rate in order to secure the deal.

If the Red Devils fail to back the manager, the fans will be in uproar given it was the Norwegian manager, with the help of Bruno Fernandes, who turned the season around after lockdown and put them in a final position of third in the Premier League.

No one is expecting the Red Devils’ board to sanction the same level of investment that Chelsea have poured out this summer, but they are expecting Sancho and Telles – at the very least – to be signed before the window’s closure in order to add much needed weight to a thin-looking squad.