Manchester United have just missed out on their perfect transfer wildcard

Manchester United just missed out on their perfect transfer joker

Man United have big plans to bolster their attacking options this summer – but they may have just missed out on an interesting addition.

Marcus Thuram was available on a free transfer. (Image: Stefan Brauer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images.)

With less than three weeks to go before Manchester United’s pre-season opener, fans are patiently awaiting the club’s first signing for the summer window.

Unless there are changes over the next seven days, United will be without commitments for the third month of June in a row. The only way to eliminate this risk is to negotiate with Chelsea to bring Mason Mount to Old Trafford. It is the deal to take Mount to M16 which, although it has proved slow, has seen United make the most progress this summer. Uncertainty over the takeover situation means the Reds need to play patiently even if they risk falling behind their rivals.

Manager Erik ten Hag, who has enjoyed a successful first season at the club, has high ambitions to strengthen his squad this summer and build on the foundations laid in 2022/23. He has prioritized the signing of a world-class midfielder and striker, while the addition of a new first-choice goalkeeper is now high on his wish list.

As with any transfer window, patience will be required. But when United fans look around at the progress Manchester City are making under Mateo Kovacic, the offers Arsenal have put on the table for Declan Rice and the fact that Liverpool have already finalized the signing of Alexis MacAllister , you understand their frustrations.

But with the takeover saga recently passing its seven-month anniversary and showing no sign of ending, it’s no surprise United have been slow to emerge from the trap. It doesn’t help the search for a world-class striker, although the club reportedly has the resources to settle that search as quickly as possible.

Tottenham Hotspur ace Harry Kane has obviously been installed as Ten Hag’s main target, but United believe the Londoners won’t let their star signing leave this summer. It means the Reds have drawn up a list of alternatives and will continue to monitor those on that list, such as Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani. While the addition of a world-class number 9 is key to United’s recruitment campaign this summer, many believe that, depending on their budget, the Reds should be on the hunt for two forwards. There is uncertainty over Anthony Martial’s future at Old Trafford this summer and the prospect of him leaving, assuming the club does indeed sign a new striker, would leave them with just one striker.

In the event their new signing is hurt, United would have no backup option to rely on. It’s a risk the club must decide if they’re willing to take, although Martial’s future will obviously determine their opinion.

But in the event Martial, who missed much of the most recent season through injury, were to leave, United would need a new back-up option, both in the event of injury and to provide depth and cover. That’s why the club should have considered a move for France international Marcus Thuram amid uncertainty over the size of Ten Hag’s budget.

Marcus Thuram played for France in the World Cup. (Image: Ulrik Pedersen/Defodi Images via Getty Images.)

The 25-year-old loses his contract with Borussia Mönchengladbach next week and is available on a free transfer. He has been linked with several top clubs across Europe, including Paris Saint-Germain and Roma, but has now agreed to join Inter Milan.

The Italian giants inherit a striker who netted 16 free goals in the 2022/23 season. He has the potential to be a very experienced signing after four successful seasons in Germany, scoring 44 goals and providing 29 assists in league and cup.

Thuram is a quick, mobile and physically strong centre-forward which means he would tick several boxes for Ten Hag. The Dutchman likes his three fronts built on speed and agility which means the French international would have been a good fit.

On paper, Thuram isn’t the world-class number 9 at elite level United are looking for this summer, but he would have been a sensible addition to the squad, even if he had become first-choice replacement. striker that the club still want to sign. Plus, at 25, he still has the potential to grow and improve even more. Of course, time will tell if United missed a trick of not using an established goalscorer available on a free transfer. For the Reds’ sake, let’s hope it’s not a decision they regret.