100% DEAL: Joshua Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt have both said YES to Man Utd even if they’re not in the Champions League next season – Man United will activate 6 transfer deals
After a season of finishing only 8th in the Premier League, Man Utd have strong ambitions to return next season. In recent days, the Red Devils’ leadership has welcomed new personnel and that is expected to pave the way for them to be more active in the transfer market.
According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Old Trafford team is close to signing striker Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna.
Zirkzee is a striker that Man Utd really crave.
Romano wrote on Twitter: “Man Utd and Joshua Zirkzee, almost done. Man Utd have now informed Bologna of reaching a personal agreement with Zirkzee. All finalised with Zirkzee’s representatives. Man Utd are talking to Bologna about a new deal structure… or they could trigger the €40m release clause.”
In addition to the striker position, Erik Ten Hag is said to want to bring his former student, Matthijs de Ligt, to Old Trafford. It is not difficult for Man Utd to reach a personal agreement with this player. The only thing left is to agree on a transfer fee with Bayern Munich.
Manchester United are having a busy summer transfer window to serve the revival ambitions of co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his associates.
Having just gone through one of the worst Premier League seasons in history, the new leadership at Old Trafford has had to immediately carry out a major squad overhaul in this summer transfer window.
Although the 2024 summer transfer window is still in its early stages, the Red Devils have already parted ways with a number of players who are no longer part of their plans for the future, such as Raphael Varane, Jonny Evans, and Anthony Martial. On the other hand, billionaire Ratcliffe has also completed a number of key signings in the revival process, such as extending the contract with coach Erik ten Hag or successfully appointing Dan Ashworth as the team’s sporting director.
Ratcliffe made many changes at Man United.
In the next few days, it is likely that the Dutch duo, Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee, will officially become Man United players when transfer journalists revealed that both have agreed to the prospect of playing at Old Trafford next season. Man United’s task now is to finalize the final agreements with the clubs that own these two players.
Having successfully recruited De Ligt and Zirkzee, the Red Devils will have a major upgrade for both the attack and defense, but according to recent information from Manchester Evening News, the process of changing the force of the Red half of Manchester shows no signs of stopping as Ratcliffe is aiming to bring at least 3 more new players to Old Trafford before the team’s tour in the US takes place. In addition, to ensure balance in the squad, the chairman of INEOS Group will also find outlets for 3 players, especially, after the attack and defense, this time they are explosive players in the midfield of Man United.
Afternoon
Joao Neves (Benfica)
Neves has become a phenomenon at Benfica as well as the Portuguese National Championship last season. Although only 19 years old, the star born in 2004 has become a leading pillar at Benfica with 52 appearances in all competitions. Neves is often deployed as a defensive midfielder to take advantage of his impressive long passing ability. In Liga Portugal 2023/2024, Neves achieved a long pass accuracy rate of up to 70%. Apart from Sofyan Amrabat, no Man United midfielder in the Premier League 2023/24 has better long passes than the young Portuguese.
Neves is considered the jewel of Portuguese football.
With Neves, coach Ten Hag has another powerful weapon in big matches when Man United plays defensive counter-attacks.
Adrien Rabiot (Juventus)
Rabiot has long been wanted by Man United and the interest has increased this summer as the French star’s contract with Juventus expires. The 29-year-old midfielder’s physical strength and competitive ability will help strengthen the Red Devils’ midfield to replace the aging Christian Eriksen and Casemiro.
Amadou Onana (Everton)
In addition to Rabiot, Onana is also the Red Devils’ top target to help the midfield become impregnable. Ideal physique as well as experience playing in the Premier League is what coach Ten Hag really needs from the Belgian star. However, Man United will have to compete fiercely with Arsenal to own the signature of the 22-year-old player because the Gunners also need a number 6 to replace Thomas Partey who is about to leave Emirates Stadium.
Onana is still of interest to Man United.
Afternoon
Casemiro
The Brazilian star is probably one of Ten Hag’s most failed deals at Man United. After a brilliant first season, Casemiro’s form in the 2023/24 campaign has declined dramatically due to the weight of age. The 32-year-old midfielder is slower, moves more heavily and often makes mistakes that put the defense in danger many times. It is likely that the next destination in Casemiro’s career will be Saudi Arabia.
Casemiro no longer has a place in the Man United squad.
Christian Eriksen
Another confusing contract for Ten Hag at Old Trafford. Eriksen has almost never been able to regain his past peak form since suffering a stroke at EURO 2021. At the age of 32, the Danish star may also consider moving to other less harsh and competitive tournaments to enjoy the remaining short time playing professional football.
Eriksen will follow Casemiro in leaving England this summer.
Scott McTominay
Although last season, McTominay had a scoring record beyond expectations for a central midfielder when the Scottish star tore the opponent’s net 10 times in all competitions, but since having the opportunity to debut for the Man United first team in 2017, the 27-year-old player has never been highly appreciated for his tactical thinking ability.
With a midfielder who is prone to conflict as well as has a diligent playing style, McTominay’s class is probably only suitable for mid-level teams in Europe. It is likely that Ratcliffe will sell the Carrington training center product in the near future to gain profits to reinvest in the squad.
