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Man United given green light to complete perfect free transfer that Ruben Amorim will love
by Josh Holland · Manchester Evening NewsMuch of Manchester United's transfer business is going to have to be almost perfect for Ruben Amorim to go into the new Premier League season with a squad good enough to compete.
Years of poor transfer decisions - fees, salaries and poor player selection included - have left United in a difficult position going into the summer. Premier League Profitability and Sustainability rules (PSR) are also playing their part but United have no choice but to be active.
United will record their worst-ever finish in the Premier League this season, unless they win all six of their remaining games and hope for a collapse from those above them. Their Europa League campaign has provided something to be excited about but next season, Amorim's first full season in Manchester, is where it matters.
In a dream world, United will improve the playing squad drastically. The Manchester Evening News understands that United intend to sign a a goalkeeper and striker, but the budget available to Amorim is still undecided - something qualifying for the Champions League would improve.
Whether all these positions will be addressed or not, remains to be seen, but smart recruitment and savvy work in the market must be at the forefront of the thinking for those above Amorim.
Big fees are expected to be demanded for the likes of Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, Xavi Simons and Victor Osimhen. However, there is the market of players who will become free transfers that they simply have to tap into.
Jonny Evans, Christian Eriksen and Tom Heaton have all signed for United on free transfers in the past four years. Before them were the likes of Edinson Cavani, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Sergio Romero and Michael Owen. Since Cavani's 2020 arrival, United haven't used the free market as opportunities to improve their team.
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Other teams around European football have benefited at the expense of others. Robert Lewandowski moved from Borussia Dortmund to Bayern Munich, Kylian Mbappe cost Real Madrid nothing and Lionel Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain at the end of his Barcelona contract.
In June, some big-name players will leave their current teams. Trent Alexander-Arnold's long saga with Real Madrid has received plenty of attention, as has Kevin De Bruyne's Manchester City exit. United have been linked with Jonathan David and Angel Gomes with the likes of Leroy Sane and Frank Anguissa also set to be available.
However, Bayer Leverkusen's Jonathan Tah is one player that United have to be all over. The centre-back will leave the Bundesliga champions after 10 years and at 29, has many years left at the top of football.
After joining them from Hamburg in 2015, the Germany international isn't expected to be short of offers. The likes of Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Liverpool have all been linked with him in some capacity in the past, but all of them have world-class defences at their disposal already.
With Victor Lindelof set to leave United at the end of the season, a new centre-back is expected to be considered in the summer with Amorim persisting with his preferred tactic of implementing a back three. Tah, costing nothing apart from his wages, is a no-brainer.
There are, however, question marks over United's ability to beat other teams to his signature. But it's right to remind you of the Leny Yoro deal last summer when United beat Real Madrid to his signature, despite the European champions pushing hard to bring him to Spain.
The 6ft 5in in defender is moulded exactly how Amorim wants his defenders and comes with the added bonus of having played under Xabi Alonso, who also uses a back three, at Leverkusen. A leader and experienced head to join Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez and Yoro in the ranks would be the perfect start to the window.
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