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It's been a bad summer for United so far, not because we haven't bought anyone but because of who we haven't bought. I'd have had Darwin Núñez as my #1 target. Our need is greater than Liverpool's and we can spend more. Now, it's possible that the player just didn't want to or we knew he'd rather go to Liverpool, but otherwise it's baffling that we didn't try.
Kalvin Phillips is another one. Now again, it's entirely possible that coming through at Leeds and playing for them he'd have never come but he's gone to City for, what I think, is a very reasonable price (remember to factor in the 'he's English' bonus payment) who, again, would've been a great fit for United and a lot cheaper than De Jong will be (should he actually come. He doesn't want to, which is a big worry for me) or Rice who'll cost even more should De Jong fail to arrive. Bissouma has gone to Spurs and, while not a top name, I think he'd have done a really good job in the United midfield. Again, at a very reasonable price too, IMO.
Obviously we didn't have a chance with Haarland, but he's another gone and Tchouameni has gone to Real for about £70m. Some have looked at the price, but if he and Camavinga work out as you'd expect, that's the midfield for Real replaced for the next 10 years as Kroos and Modric are put out to pasture in the next season or two.
United get connected with pretty much anyone, such is our name, finances and need. Assuming ETH gets things on the right road we should still be looking at top 4, but if United want to 'make sure' of that then I think we need a forward (Martial is a bust and Rashford looks shot and uninterested.) Hopefully ETH's arrival will spark something in him but even if it does, he doesn't look to be developing into the goal machine we hoped 4 or 5 years ago. Obviously we can't go with Greenwood (maybe never will be able to) so a prolific forward is needed unless we're really going to rely on Ronaldo to play every game up front on his own. My solution? Victor Osimhen. He'll cost a lot, but he's young and improving. He has the size and strength to play alone up front and with Ronaldo if ETH plays two up top. If not, you play him alone with Ronaldo in a free role or just behind. With Fernandes and a, hopefully, much improved Sancho, maybe van de Beek (as I'd assume the coach will know how to use him effectively) and possibly De Jong around him to put him in, he'd score well. Should Rashford find form, he's another to work with. I think he's the one we should be looking at. At some point someone is going to pull the trigger and buy him from Napoli, our need is great right now, so let's take the risk.
Unless ETH doesn't want him or he won't fit with what he's going to do, the only reason I can see for not buying him is because we've been burnt so many times in the last 10 years or so, we're afraid of it hapenning again.