On The Ball | Manchester United linked to Bruno Fernandes and Edinson Cavani but will they gamble?
- Injury-hit Man United are missing Marcus Rashford, Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay but squad not matching their wage bill
- January signings would help chase for Uefa Champions League spot, FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League
Just as many fans feared at the start of the season, Manchester United’s squad is looking light after a few injuries. Marcus Rashford, the player of the season, is the latest casualty and likely to be out for months with a back problem. He will be missed, just as Scott McTominay and Paul Pogba are. No player started more games than Rashford before his injury, but what do United do now he’s unavailable?
Sad though it sounds for a club of their stature, they’re in the chase for a Uefa Champions League place rather than for the Champions League. They’ll play in the FA Cup this Sunday and the Europa League resumes next month. United’s season may be rocky and inconsistent, but it’s still very much alive.
The Old Trafford club have tried to bring in Sporting Lisbon’s goal scoring midfielder Bruno Fernandes, but their valuation differs greatly from the €80 million (US$88.7 million) wanted by the Portuguese club for a player without a long line of suitors.
United can’t call Alexis Sanchez back from his loan in Italy as there is no recall option in the agreement. Not that the Chilean would appear to be the answer because he failed notoriously in his time in Manchester. And unlike former goalscorer Romelu Lukaku, who also departed before this season, Sanchez is not thriving in Italy.
United are left with Anthony Martial, who has suffered injuries but started 13 of the last 14 league games. An in-form Martial is needed in a forward role.