Man Utd's next two transfer priorities with Ruben Amorim's issues clear
Manchester United's summer has been one of missed opportunities, with a number of Ruben Amorim's top targets opting to join other clubs instead of the Red Devils
Manchester United’s base for their pre-season tour is the opulent Waldorf Astoria hotel in Chicago, nestled among chic designer shops including Versace, Christian Dior and Louis Vuitton.
Given last season’s lamentable 15th-place finish in the Premier League and slow progress in this summer’s transfer window, a more appropriate retail backdrop for United would be Poundland, Poundstretcher and Cash Generator.
United may have signed Mathues Cunha from Wolves and are close to confirming the arrival of Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford after a protracted saga, but boss Ruben Amorim wants at least two more new faces, as well as needing to shift players out to raise revenue to fund those arrivals.
The failure to secure European football, following United's 1-0 defeat to Tottenham in the Europa League final, means fewer fixtures next season and therefore a smaller squad required by Amorim.
But it is a squad remains woefully short on quality in key areas, which is why the United boss is so desperate to recruit at least two more signings – a striker and a midfielder – in addition to clearing out the deadwood in Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia.
READ MORE: Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd 'to hijack' Arsenal's Gyokeres move, Liverpool strike Ekitike deal, Chelsea latestREAD MORE: Ruben Amorim drops hint on next Man Utd transfer priority in post-match messageSaturday's 0-0 draw with newly-promoted Leeds in Stockholm underlined the need for United to sign a striker capable of scoring 20-plus goals a season. Mbeumo hit that target last season and Cunha will provide goals as well as some much-needed creativity, but United desperately need a new No.9.
This summer has been one of missed opportunities for United as, one by one, their striker targets have chosen other clubs – a damning indictment of where the fallen giants now find themselves in modern football's new world order, where they have assumed the unwanted role of a faded force.
Liam Delap chose Chelsea over United, Viktor Gyokeres rejected a reunion with his former Sporting Lisbon boss Amorim and is set to join Arsenal, while Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike is close to agreeing a deal with Premier League champions Liverpool.
That has left United short on options to fill the No.9 void at the apex of their attack, with Rasmus Hojlund – while willing and industrious – simply not cut out for the role, having toiled for two seasons since his absurdly-inflated £72million move from Atalanta, which has yielded just 26 goals from 95 appearances.
The signings of Cunha and Mbeumo will ease the pressure on United skipper Bruno Fernandes, who carried the side last season and without whom the side would almost certainly have been involved in a battle to stay in the Premier League.
The defence has been boosted by the arrival of 18-year-old wing-back Diego Leon from Paraguay, with Lisandro Martinez available again after his season ended prematurely through injury in early February.
United land in Chicago tomorrow and will train at Soldier Field, home of MLS side Chicago Fire FC, before their first game of the US tour at midnight UK time on Saturday, against West Ham, at the MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, where Chelsea won the Club World Cup earlier this month.
Amorim's side then take on Bournemouth in Chicago in the early hours of Thursday, before wrapping up their Stateside trip against Everton at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on August 3.
Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.