Man Utd must splash cash in summer to fix three key areas after underwhelming January transfer window

MANCHESTER UNITED fans will be hoping for a busier summer transfer window after failing to sign anyone in January.

Though the club managed to offload Marcos Rojo and Timothy Fosu-Mensah on a permanent basis, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer didn’t bring anyone in to help the club’s title tilt.

Manchester United are currently second in the table – three points behind rivals CityCredit: PA:Press Association

Here’s how United fan Tom McDermott summed up United’s winter transfer window.

How would you rate United’s transfer window?

No incoming deals, so probably, overall, a little underwhelming.

We saw last year during the winter transfer window that if you can bring in someone of genuine quality, they can make a huge difference.

It’s important to bring in the ‘right’ player though, because for every Bruno Fernandes, you could be stung by an Alexis Sanchez – there’s no guarantees.

We must also be realistic and understand that United has a debt to service and we’re living through a pandemic.

I do expect a lot more from the club in the summer though.

FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

Bruno Fernandes has starred since joining from Sporting Lisbon last yearCredit: Reuters

Has Ole Gunnar Solskjaer missed out on someone he desperately needs?

It’s hard to say. It’s pretty obvious where United’s weaknesses are.

We have to trust the Norwegian because in general, since his arrival, he’s not made too many mistakes in the transfer market and the players he’s brought in have contributed pretty well.

Even the heavily criticised Dan James has delivered the odd goal and decent performance this campaign.

Is the existing squad genuinely good enough to challenge for the Premier League title?

The squad and mentality is not there yet. I think we get reminded of that from time-to-time.

Players like Edinson Cavani are real winners and their work ethic and determination to win, alongside that undoubted ability, can hopefully rub-off on the other players who are perhaps not as experienced and don’t have a lot of trophies to show.

Solskjaer needs more players like Cavani, but ones that are perhaps the right side of 30.

Edinson Cavani has scored six goals since arriving at Old Trafford on a free transferCredit: AP:Associated Press

Should United have tried harder to get rid of the dead wood?

Marcos Rojo has left and Jesse Lingard has moved on loan, so that’s a positive.

The trouble United have is the huge wages they are paying some of the players, who often don’t even make it on to the bench each week.

When other clubs show an interest, they’re usually put off by the excessive wage demands.

I think we’re still in the process of seeing United get rid of the ‘dead wood’.

Great progress has been made, but we may have to wait until another transfer window or two, to fully see the back of all the players Solskjaer doesn’t fancy.

Marcos Rojo and Jesse Lingard both departed the Theatre of Dreams in JanuaryCredit: Reuters

Who should Solskjaer be eyeing up in the summer window?

For me he needs to be looking at three areas. Firstly, someone who can play in the defensive midfield position like Fred and Scott McTominay.

These two have done well, but they lack that extra bit of quality when in possession. Perhaps Donny van de Beek can help, but his situation is a bit of a concern.

The next position is central defence. United probably have the long-term solution to partner Harry Maguire in Axel Tuanzebe and Eric Bailly – the trouble is neither stay fit for long enough.

So, a mobile, reliable, central defender has to be a must. Victor Lindelof and Maguire are quite similar.

The final area is the attacking right spot. Jadon Sancho was linked last summer, and he’d be great because it would also allow Mason Greenwood to focus on his favoured position through the middle.

FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho is still believed to be a target for UnitedCredit: EPA

Which players would you say have the remainder of this season to save their United careers?

The usual suspects like Phil Jones and Sergio Romero certainly fall into this category, but in all honesty, their time at United is probably already done.

You wonder if a more established first team player may be sacrificed in order to generate further funds for players in other positions.

It’ll be an interesting summer window – we’ll see.

Follow Tom McDermott on Twitter by clicking HERE.

⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk