Manchester United has seen the advantages of shopping in the free agent market this season.
United swooped in the summer to sign Christian Eriksen for nothing, and the Dane has been one of Erik ten Hag's standout performers. Signing quality for nothing is certainly possible, and it's a strategy the club should consider again.
There are a number of talented players whose contracts are set to expire in the summer of 2023, which could add a lot of class to the squad ahead of the next season. United's top priority in the summer will be attacking reinforcements, particularly a seasoned goalkeeper, but improvements in midfield and defense may also be considered.
Here are ten free agents United could pursue next summer:
Inter Milan Skriniar
Milan Skriniar has been linked with a move to Old Trafford on numerous occasions this summer, much like Wesley Sneijder or Nico Gaitan. The towering and powerful center-back has been an Inter mainstay, helping the club win the Serie A title in 2021.
Though United have a good centre-back partnership in Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez, the Frenchman's injury problems and a drop in quality in the back-up may force Ten Hag to look for another centre-back. Skriniar's appointment would be a massive coup.
Youri Tielemans - Leicester United's first-choice midfield trio is strong, but two of the three - Eriksen and Casemiro - are in their 30s, and the club would be wise to look ahead. With Fred and Scott McTominay being largely inconsistent, and Donny van de Beek being consistently poor, Ten Hag would not rule out some higher-caliber options.
There won't be many better than Youri Tielemans on the market. Even ignoring his recent run of outrageous goals, the Belgian is technically excellent on the ball and would add dynamism to the midfield.
Brighton's Leandro Trossard
The versatile and tricky forward is having another excellent Premier League season, with seven goals and three assists, and United are well aware of his talent. Trossard had two assists and a goal in Brighton's 4-0 win over Ralf Rangnick's rabble at the end of last season.
Capable of playing up front, behind the striker, or on either flank, the Belgian could be an excellent option for United in terms of attacking flexibility.
Moussa Dembele - Lyon
United's top priority next year will be a striker, and while they may look to spend big money on the likes of Victor Osimhen, there could be some cheaper alternatives. The club has been watching Moussa Dembele for some time and would have been pleased with what they saw last season when he scored 21 goals in 30 Ligue 1 games.
The Frenchman strangely lost his place this season to Alexandre Lacazette, so a summer departure looks likely, and United could finally get a man they've been interested in for some time.
Marcus Thuram - Borussia Monchengladbach
Marcus Thuram of Borussia Monchengladbach could also be considered for the striker position. He struggled last season as the son of Lillian Thuram, but has exploded back into form this season with 13 goals and four assists in just 17 games.
Youssoufa Moukoko - Borussia Dortmund
Youssoufa Moukoko, a starlet for Borussia Dortmund, could be the most intriguing free agent next summer. The 17-year-old striker has six goals and four assists this season, including a last-gasp winner against Schalke. He has been named to Germany's World Cup squad, and if he has a good tournament, he could attract the attention of even more clubs.
Dortmund may be able to persuade him to sign a new contract, but if United can sneak in and get him, they could be getting a player with untapped potential for nothing.
Memphis Depay - Barcelona
Memphis Depay is well-known to United, and things did not go as planned the first time. But that was a long time ago, and Memphis has grown into an effective forward capable of playing anywhere on the offensive line in the years since. The fact that he fits Ten Hag's strategy of signing players with whom he has either worked or who are Dutch may tempt him to make a move for the Barcelona player.
Adrien Rabiot - In their desperate search for a midfielder, Juventus United were in talks with Adrien Rabiot.
Houssem Aouar - Lyon
If United wanted to sign a younger midfielder with a lot of skill, Houssem Aouar might be available for free in the summer. The dynamic Frenchman hasn't lived up to the potential he displayed a few years ago when he earned rave reviews from Pep Guardiola, but he's still a good player, especially for nothing.
Konrad Laimer - RB Leipzig
Konrad Laimer is another possible midfield option. Rangnick admired the hard-working and energetic Austrian, who would add good legs to the middle.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0