A big summer for... Manchester United

0:17The Champions League felt in the distance a little bit, we're honest, at one point. We want more, we want to be finishing higher up the league, but certainly there's huge credit as it goes to the players and the staff are putting us in this position at this stage. It has now been confirmed that Michael Carrick will remain as manager next season. He came in until the end of the season. However, his contract will now go for two years until 2028. He's done such a fantastic job on and off the pitch that I think most people in football would say that he deserves the job now. You know, permanent manager comes with a different level of pressure, a different level of expectation.

0:59So Manchester United, with the Champions League next season and all those games midweek, are going to need to really support Michael in the summer. And I'm sure that's what their aim is. Manchester United's summer rebuild continues. So today we are here to discuss everything about the club, from transfers to next season's expectations. And what two better gentlemen to join me today than Sky Sports news reporter Dan Kahn. and he's out as a Manchester United fan now, I think. Sky Sports football journalist, Will Bitterbeery. Feels like there's so much to discuss. Dan, let's come straight to you.

1:34The summer market. Do you think Manchester United are happy with their business so far? I think we're probably on par with where we thought Manchester United would be. Look, we went into the summer thinking they need to really reinforce that midfield. They were under no illusions. That was a priority going in. It was a very interesting first month with Edison. You know, we thought Manchester United had started their summer, you know, very quickly trying to wrap up Edison before he then went to the World Cup. And obviously that's not materialized. But then they moved very quickly once Mateus Fernandes didn't look very likely to then wrap up Andres Santos and Uri Tillmans for just less than what Fernandes has cost Tottenham.

2:13So in my eyes, the midfield has been partly solved. Probably need another midfielder. But I think this is very much going to be dependent on a few more outgoings. That's how I want to judge United a little bit, see what they can do with their outgoings, as well as maybe one or two more significant signings. What do you think? I mean, Andre Santos at 50, Kyle Darlow's come in for free, Yuri Tielemann's£36 million, and of course, Tynan Thompson, £4 million plus four, isn't it, from Spurs, sort of more of a youth addition, but could offer an option on that left-hand side. Where are you at? I guess the one that, for me, that probably excites me most, or should excite Manchester United fans the most would be the Uri Tielemans signing because that's someone who, it kind of follows on from the plan that we saw last season that sort of paid dividends at Manchester United where, you know, you buy players who are already playing in the league, who already have that understanding and have performed.

3:07And Uri Tielemans fits that bill, a bit of an experienced head as well. So I think that one would be the most exciting. Look, the others, you know, You're looking at Tinnan Thompson, one for the future, obviously. Kyle Darlow is not going to be playing a hell of a lot in the Premier League. But in terms of Juri Tielemans, that is one that I think that a lot of Manchester United fans will be excited about. I think it's interesting, isn't it? Because obviously, when you look at the business we're hoping to do, and Edison was clearly high on their agenda, as was Mateusz Fernandes, they are quite different profiles to Juri Tielemans, who is much more of an experienced Premier League name, seemingly a really good fee because he had that release clause have United sort of stumbled into potentially the better half of a deal here because I know some fans weren't happy with that Edison move were they yeah I mean I think it's very much how you look at this I think you can look half cup empty or half cup full I mean you could argue like Manchester United have been slightly indecisive because they went for Edison found something they didn't like and actually like you said you could argue oh this is their plan B C D however I would probably see more of the value of we're used to Manchester United in previous years under a different leadership being involved in long drawn out transfer sagas where like I have no issue and I can put my pride aside to say we had absolutely no idea about Uri Tillmans signing for Manchester United.

4:27Andre Santos maybe 24 hours that we knew that they were interested the deal was done you know and Uri Tillmans as you mentioned well this is a guy who has years of experience in the league He's won trophies, by the way, at both clubs he's been at, where you'd probably argue he's left them better than they were. Leicester obviously got relegated when he left, but you see my point. So, look, I think with Manchester United's window generally, we will have to judge them at the end of it. Do they end up, I know we'll talk about possible additions later, but where they end the window, I think will be much more reflective of their window as a whole.

5:01But I still think there's a lot to do in terms of incomings and outgoings. Yeah, I mean, I think one addition that we have to talk about is Andre Santos. We mentioned him a couple of times. Another player that really came out of the blue, like you said, sort of 24 hours, 48 hours that was wrapped up in. I have to say, I've been incredibly impressed by him in pre-season. I think his ability to pick the ball up in those deep line areas is what United have missed for an awfully long time. But, you know, again, some Chelsea fans were saying, we're happy to let him go here. Chelsea seemingly are happy to let him go because they have 50 million pounds.

5:31Where are you at on Andre? I think, like Dan says, it was a surprise. Andre Santos kind of came out of nowhere as a name. It was before, when you're talking about the rumblings before the transfer window opens, you're not necessarily talking about Andre Santos to Manchester United. But like yourself, I have been impressed with him during pre-season. Yeah, yeah. You know, he's like, listen, we talk... It's pre-season now. You're both falling in the trap. It's pre-season. It's fine. Class against Manchester. Pre-season, Piero. No, listen, I think that ability to just pick up the ball from deep, like you're saying, and look forward and just progress the ball through the lines.

6:07I think that's ultimately what, I guess, Carrick would have been looking for when you're talking about midfielders to come in. You want midfielders with a bit of personality on the ball that can take the ball under pressure and play forward. So we have ticked off a profile in getting Andres Santos. And looking at the sort of reaction on social media as well, I don't know if you guys have seen this too, But I think a lot of Chelsea fans aren't happy that Andre Santos is now playing for Manchester United. Yeah, definitely makes reaction that big car. And I think that would be some food for a bit of positivity around the signing as well.

6:41Because, listen, he's come in, he's come in, he's had a lot of time. He wasn't involved in the World Cup, so he's had some time to sort of bed in, train and like with from the start of pre-season too. So that is someone that I'm looking at throughout the course of the season. He could develop and we could turn around and say, wow, what a signing he was. I think something you mentioned, Joe, was how these targets all seem different profiles. But I think we also fall into a trap, I think, because Casemiro left in the summer of they need to replace Casemiro. They need an exact replica of Casemiro.

7:11And we look at these replacements or midfielders coming, we're going, but can Andrei Santos do what Casemiro did? Or how does Yuri Tillman do anything there? But I don't think that's the point here. And I think we need to give Michael Carrick some space to maybe change how Manchester United were playing in those six months he had last season. to maybe transition to play a bit more football. I mean, I think there's been an outcry in the Manchester United fan base that they want like a midfield destroyer, which, look, Coles Beliba, for example, someone they long admire, I would absolutely love to see a Manchester United ship, but not every team needs to have a midfield, tough tackling.

7:46You know, you look at Arsenal, right? Declan Rice is incredibly good at inceptions and recoveries, but you wouldn't necessarily say any of Arsenal's midfielders are a Roy Keane-Patrick Vieira type, right? There are many ways to profile in midfield. And I think for Manchester United, if Yuri Tillman, for example, is one of those deeper options next to a Kobe Manuel, Andre Santos. I think Andre Santos just seems very malleable. You know, he's so young still and there's so much room to develop. You can make him into a slightly deeper Casemiro type if you need him to be. But he's clearly very good at long line-breaking passes as well.

8:23So I think everyone's vision of what Manchester United should be and will be and could have been with Casemiro or not, I think it'll be just very interesting to see once they get going in the league. Do you think that's the plan then to kind of move away this vision that Michael Carrick kind of has for Manchester United's midfield? I think a lot of fans have been raving about Michael Carrick being a big fan of the PSG midfield, for example. And maybe that's a direction he wants to take his Manchester United team. and when you look at the profiles that we brought in, like you say, have we replaced Casemiro for what Casemiro was?

8:59Not necessarily, but we've kind of prioritised maybe technical ability. So you've got that rather than, like you're saying, the destroyer. So is that, have we got an insight into Michael Carrick's vision for Manchester United's midfield? But I think, you know, it's not that long ago under Ruben Amrum with similar players, right, that we would watch many, many games, okay, slightly in a different system. you couldn't break a team down no matter who it was in the league you know whether it was higher in the league lower in the league so that's definitely something i think michael carrick will be aware of and you see what he did at middlesbrough now manchester united where he essentially has three at the back and he progresses one of the fullbacks quite high wide and you know you don't have to go into all the tactics but he clearly wants this team to dominate the football and peg teams back and you need the players to be able to unlock defenses to do that andre santos and Uri Tillmans are two players who can do that.

9:50Also in terms of defensive qualities, I think we can all agree Kobi Manu really developed in that side of his game towards the end of last season. I mean, Michael Carrick, I was in many press conferences last season, especially the Chelsea game at Stamford Bridge. To me, that was Kobi Manu showing a different side of his game. Look, he's still so young. We kind of discount Kobi Manu like he can't defend or he's not capable. He's still very young. you can still learn that side of the game. I mean, my question to both of you is, you know, it's not too long now until the first game of the season against Hull.

10:25What's your ideal? Who are your two in midfield starting that game? Well, I think the first game of the season, I would be surprised to see Yuri Tiedemann straight into the team just because he's arrived latest from the World Cup, right? I think Mason Mount has really put a name down for himself in his pre-season performances to say, I should be starting in the midfield alongside Andre Santos. because, of course, Kobe Mainu is coming back from the World Cup as well, went extremely deep. I know he didn't play, but still travelling and stuff. So I would say first game of the season, I can see it being Santos and Mount.

10:55But I think as the season progress, I think you'll see Mainu and Tielemans. Yeah, I think Mason Mount's a very interesting one. Listen, he, again, had a very, very good pre-season. And, you know, he's one that, listen, coming into it, he's had this summer break. He's been able to play, you know, to train. Michael Carrick seems to be a very big fan. Every manager seems to be a big fan of Mason Mount. And I look at him and I say, that's someone who's, he's got the right attitude. Is he better deeper? Is he better deeper in that eight position? I think he's played there. And I think it's not a position that's alien to him.

11:34I think we kind of look at Mount and we think number 10, we think about some of the Chelsea days, probably higher up in the pitch, maybe behind the striker. I think he's played there for England as well. But I think Mason Mount can do, can play alongside Bobby Manu, for example. And we saw that towards the back end of last season, the Brighton game. And he was brilliant. He was brilliant then. So it's not this revelation that we're seeing Mason Mount playing deep. But Michael Carrick clearly trusts him and sees a player that can play as an eight. And I think that's interesting. So for me, I think Mason Mount should probably start just based on pre-season alone.

12:12And then perhaps Andre Santos or maybe Kobe Maneu comes back and we see something during pre-season. Because again, not playing for England, it might help. I mean, is there going to be a third arrival in that midfield role? Because obviously it's much talked about, isn't it? And I think most Man Utd fans that you see online or you speak to in person are saying, well, they've spent 50 million on Santos, 36 on Tidermans. where's the big ticket arrival? And obviously they chose not to pursue Masej Fernandes in the end to the tune that Tottenham Hotspur ended up going to. Do we actually see that happening?

12:43I personally don't see United going out and spending that much money on a midfielder. No, I agree with you. I think, look, from my understanding right now, and of course things can change, so I'll always caveat with that little phrase there. 1.24 Monday the 3rd of August. But I think even going into the transfer window, I mean, it was always my understanding Manchester United were never going to spend 90 million for a midfielder I mean yes they were very close to Mateus Fernandes but as soon as they saw Tottenham were probably going to outbid them if that ended up being a bidding war I think also what you've seen in their recruitment is they're very much you know they put a lot away on players wanting to play for Manchester United and look I know this sounds very cliche but we saw it with Mateus Cunha, Brian Imbuema Benjamin Szczesko who could have gone to Newcastle and I think with Mateus Fernandes they didn't feel to be the same desire you know to play for manchester united they walked away elliot anderson once manchester city went over 100 million they were never in that race alex scott is similar colis believer similar might be one for next summer but for this summer those options at this moment are off the table do i still see them looking at another midfielder for sure they're analyzing this mark and seeing what's developing but i also think they're also looking at a left back which you know I've been saying since March and you know pardon my language I know it's not a sexy position to talk about but they really need a left back like they really need a left back because Luke Shaw cannot play three games a week you know he was brilliant to get through 38 games last season great achievement and this isn't a disservice to him but you can't expect him to play Champions League then back to Premier League as well so I would argue the necessity as you mentioned Mount is a£55m potential replacement in midfield there.

14:26The necessity has to be future-proofing left-back. Hold that thought, we'll be back to do the transfer to-do list right after this.

14:41Hi there, I'm Pete Graves and while you're enjoying this show I just wanted to let you know that we are back with another round of Transfer Talk where we'll be talking about who's on the move, where they're going, what they could bring to your team. So if you don't already, please like and subscribe. You can watch Free Sky TV on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. See you soon.

15:09Welcome back. So let's have a look at Manchester United's transfer to-do list. In terms of a left-back, is that top priority for you over a midfielder now? Because I know you were saying you were analysing the squad earlier. No, listen, listen. I think when you look at Manchester United's midfield options, it looks a little bit light. I know you've brought in Uri Tillens. Light in the left back? No, but listen, the midfield was the priority before the start of the season. And in terms of the kind of energy that was kind of around Manchester United and driven up a lot by the fan base, there was a lot of excitement about, just off the back of the season, listen, you finish third, you're like, cool.

15:47Can Manchester United find a couple of midfielders and all of the names that were being linked. There was Elliot Anderson towards the start of the window, also linked to Manchester United. And you're like, these are good names. And then now, fast forward to at this point in the window, it doesn't feel like Man United have kind of quenched that thirst that a lot of fans and a lot of people were thinking where Manchester United should be in terms of their midfield. So for that reason alone, the idea of not having another Manchester United midfield I think should worry some but I do agree that left back is very light Luke Shaw, how good I personally think he was last season he can't play every game I just don't see that happening so yeah, left back, very important There's no doubt the biggest drop in the next player up is left back there is no doubt in that squad If you look at their depth chart, it's left back.

16:49So they absolutely need a left back. But I think on Will's point, I totally get what you're saying about players they were linked with and, you know, potential targets, etc. And, you know, maybe actually look at this point in the transfer window. Would they have hoped to get more in potentially? But I also think there are factors that they couldn't have planned for. You know, going into the window, they were looking at making over 100 million pounds. You know, getting back in the Champions League, you have players off the wage books like James Sancho, Casemiro. But then also what was going to be included were potential sales of Marcus Rashford, Manuel Legate.

17:22Now, we can talk about Marcus Rashford a bit later, but Manuel Legate's injury, very disappointing for him as a person and as a player. But it may seem silly money, but that is money they were hoping to then reinvest into the squad. Marcus Rashford coming back, we all know he's on significant wages. That isn't necessarily what they were planning for going into the summer. So plans also do have to change, and you also can't solve everything in one window. The desire to get this big midfielder was there last summer, and they finished third. And this isn't me excusing the recruitment so far, but I just think they're trying to work with Sansoni's data team, who are very data-driven, and we've heard a lot about this, but their logic last summer was improve the attack.

18:06That'll get you highest up the table from where they finished previous season, and you kind of work backwards. And that's what they're trying to do. I appreciate your point, though. They absolutely need that star midfielder. but it just might not happen this summer. But if, you know, we're talking about quenching first, but if Lewis Hall is the name that's being bandied round, you know, as United fans, I can imagine that quenching a lot of firsts. I can imagine Newcastle fans watching this going, get his name out of your mouth. He's not joining you. He's not leaving us in a summer where they've already seen potentially the exit of Brudo G, Tonali, Anthony Gordon, Eddie Howe.

18:41The likelihood of Lewis Hall leaving Newcastle, Dan, from your perspective. Yeah, I mean, it's been a funny one because we first reported his name in March and I think a lot of people raised their eyebrows like, oh Lewis Hall, that's never going to happen, oh that's unlikely. And then, you know, look, I think from my perspective it's shifted a little bit, you know, it's gone from someone on that list to someone they really admire and also actually feels a little bit achievable now this summer in terms of, you look at where Newcastle ended last season, you know, they have no Champions League football to look forward to.

19:11you look at the change in manager, the, you know, ownership and how they're having to raise funds and players leaving the club. And also you look at Lewis Hall's kind of role in that, right? I mean, he's not Bruno Gimoures, who looks destined for Arsenal. You know, so actually Lewis Hall, yes, they wouldn't be happy to lose him. But I wouldn't say from a Newcastle perspective, he's irreplaceable. You know, he was out of the team a little bit in April anyway, you know, in the end of the season. He was one of the best players, if not that. No, absolutely. In the Champions League, he was brilliant.

19:40Let's not forget. I mean, I think that's where he really, you know, everyone kind of was like, wow, he's really developed in a short space of time here. All I'm saying is, I think from Manchester United's perspective, with all of these factors in, I think they kind of think, actually, you know, he is achievable this summer. Wow. You know, if all the factors go their way. Now, as I mentioned earlier with their recruitment, they want player buy-in. So they're going to have to get that from Lewis Hall. Are you going to get that from Lewis Hall? I think they will. Because I think what Manchester United have to offer him, and again, people listening to this who maybe aren't Manchester United fans are like, oh, it's Manchester United, they're going on that again.

20:14It's not to do with that, it's the footballing reasons. Let's not forget Lewis Hall missed out on the England squad. You know, he didn't go to the World Cup, he has no Champions League football. What Manchester United can offer him is Champions League football and a lot more exposure to the England team. Unfortunately, that's how it works, right? When you play for the so-called bigger clubs, right? And I also think, for him, he can be Manchester United's left-back for the next 10 years. You know, you get mentored a little bit by Luke Shaw, who was in a similar position when he joined from Southampton as the next biggest thing, a left-back.

20:46I think as a player and on his own footballing journey, there's a lot to be gained just from his perspective. We're not even talking about Manchester United. Yeah, I think from him as a player, there's kind of not many better left-backs around that are kind of available, if that makes sense. he's Lewis Hall available though I wouldn't describe Lewis Hall as being available man from Newcastle perspective he's not is he no he's not he's not from Newcastle's this is what I mean they're going to need player buy-in to say not necessarily a Alexander Izak situation but maybe more Bruno Gimera situation where respectfully I'd like to explore this opportunity you know and if there is a fee that you agree that I'm valued at that Manchester United match what fee would that be look it's really tough I think, you know, you consider he's a left back.

21:36He's not going to go as, you know, he's English. He's a young player. I think you're probably looking at 50, 60 million pounds. That is an educated guess. That feels cheap. No. Absolutely. But then I have to caveat that with, I've also, you know, sources around Manchester United tell me that, you know, I also think it's to caveat them and make sure that they're covered. But I also think it's, you know, do they have the funds to splash out? I think if the possibility is just Lewis Hall, you might not get that midfielder. But as you say, Joe, I think that would quench a lot of thirst because you are getting a star name who could be a left-back for the next 10 years.

22:14So I think it could be one or the other. I think the situation reminds me a little bit of Benjamin Sesko last summer where United seemingly didn't have loads of funds left for business. And then when they knew their absolute priority target wanted to join them, we're like, OK, we're going in heavy. But it was dependent on Rasmus Hoyland going, though. That was the only caveat with that. Yeah, good point. It was Rasmus Hoelden leaving to get one out and one in. That was the only caveat, whereas Manchester United at the moment think the situation is they're a bit stuck. You know, there are some young players who will likely leave the club on loan or opponents like Harry Amas, Radek Vitek, Altai Binder.

22:51You know, there's some players there that they will get money for, but there's not that one big sale unless something changes with Marcus Rashford. but it doesn't seem to me that I'm hearing there's a big marker for Joshua Zerksi who the club aren't necessarily shopping like that, they're happy for him to stay at the club for sure, if they could upgrade that position would they, for sure so it's kind of like neither here or there with Zerksi, but there isn't that Rasmus Hoyland, you know, where they can bank on a conditional obligation where money will definitely come in. So what about Rashford then?

23:23Where are we at on Rashford? Because as things stand today, obviously Barcelona haven't chosen to make that move permanent, he's back at the club well reintegration? Reintegration it's weird because it's another one that splits a lot of Manchester United fans I know that we've spoken in the past a lot about Marcus Rashford and you know what he's what he's been for Manchester United etc but I think one thing we can both kind of agree on is that Manchester United moved on from Marcus Rashford the second he went on his first loan, even Barcelona loan. It was kind of a closing of a Marcus Rashford chapter at Manchester United.

24:08Under a different gaffer, though. It is under a different gaffer, but I do think he hasn't got a squad number anymore. His number 10 shirt is now being occupied by Mateus Cunha. So it does feel like, it looks like a spare, it feels a bit awkward. I don't know if that's the feeling. It feels very awkward to say, listen, in a few days' time Marcus Rashford's going to turn up at Carrington turn up into the dressing room and see someone else sitting where he used to sit and I just think there's so much at play there and I'm just curious to see what unfolds. Is that potentially a positive for United though?

24:44You're getting a player that comes back from a loan that was very successful you know, he went out there, he won La Liga scored a bunch of goals in Spain and yes, it wasn't successful enough to warrant a permanent deal and they obviously opted for a different style of forward. But I think a hungry Marcus Rashford, who comes back and maybe isn't guaranteed a spot, and he is looking at Mateus Kinnig going, he's got my shirt, he's got my spot in the dressing room, I will show United what I can do here. Is that positive to have a player like that come back when he's worked and played with Carrick before?

25:13They know each other extremely well, don't they? Big point. Yeah, look, I think one thing you can't deny is Manchester United have another star on their team with Marcus Rashford in the team. regardless of whatever level people think he is at. And that can be something we'll discuss in a pub or whatever. But there's no doubt after Bruno Fernandes, you look at proper stars in football, Marcus Rashford is one of those names, right? I think it's very interesting footballing-wise. I think we haven't seen him in a Manchester United show, let's not forget, for a year and a half. He's played for two clubs since he's last played for Manchester United.

25:49And he seemingly, you know, not burned the bridges, but seemed pretty content to move on. He's done podcasts, he's done social media statements where he's not really referenced the club too much. I know he then walked back on that, but even interviews at Barcelona, it didn't seem that he had his heart set on coming back to Manchester United. He said if he was a magician, he'd stay at Barcelona. Yeah, there was no, I'm just trying to prove a point in Barcelona and I want to come back to Manchester United. Now look, he might have been told a dream at Barcelona as well, so you have to empathise for the player.