Manchester United could make shock sale in order to land dream midfielder: report
Manchester United are preparing a move for a midfielder to fix their systemic issues, with an unexpected player set to be sacrificed
Manchester United could be prepared to part with a player they thought they'd retain this summer, in order to land a player they want.
The Red Devils started the transfer window by laying down serious statements of intent, buying Mason Mount, Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund for over £160 million combined – but talk of more incomings at Old Trafford has been quiet in recent weeks.
Manager Erik ten Hag is going to have to sell players in order to buy – and with Ben Jacobs of CBS Sports telling GIVEMESPORT that Fiorentina star Sofyan Amrabat wants a move to Manchester United, but the Dutch manager might have to move on stars he'd rather not.
According to Fabrice Hawkins of French outlet RMC Sport, there is interest in Victor Lindelof from Stade Rennais. United would much rather sell Harry Maguire, with Ten Hag omitting the England international from the squad that lost 2-0 to Tottenham Hotspur last week but with more interest in Lindelof, United might choose to capitalise on that move in order to bring someone new.
Jean-Clair Todibo of Nice has been linked in recent weeks, as has Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi. According to Fabrizio Romano, however, Lindelof is going nowhere.
VIDEO: Why Erik Ten Hag's Man United Isn't Working (Yet)
The Italian transfer guru tweeted earlier in the year that Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid both had interest in the Swede but it seems as if United are now too low on numbers at the back to consider a sale. Lindelof came off the bench against Wolves in the opening day of the season.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
Ten Hag has just Raphael Varane, Maguire and Lindelof as right-footed centre-back options, with veteran Jonny Evans still training with the club. He has used Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw on the left side of his defensive partnership since assuming control at Old Trafford.
As well as wanting a new defender and a new midfielder, United are keen on adding a backup goalkeeper to the squad before deadline.
Amrabat is valued at €30 million by Transfermarkt.
More Manchester United stories
Manchester United transfer news is coming thick and fast as we enter the final weeks of the summer window.
Harry Maguire could be one of seven players on their way out of Old Trafford between now and deadline day. Meanwhile, a World Cup-winning star could be about to join United from another European heavyweight.
The Manchester United season preview looks at why the Red Devils can start to dream of winning the Premier League title again, while all other 91 clubs in the top four tiers of English football are looked at, too.
Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.
‘Arteta, Alonso, Emery, me… none of us were physical players – we needed the understanding of the game. That probably helped us move into management’: Premier League boss reveals reasons for natural career progression
‘England have the players to win the World Cup – it’ll be tough for Thomas Tuchel to do a bad job, with the squad he has at his disposal’ Former Three Lions winger backs new boss after gentle qualifying draw