Defensive arrivals alone won’t turn Manchester United into title challengers

05/08/19 2105

It seems like the saga of England centre-back Harry Maguire’s move to Manchester United from Leicester is finally coming to an end. The two clubs have reportedly agreed a fee of around £80million.

The deal had been mooted for much of the summer, with Manchester City also interested in signing the 26-year-old. However, City boss Pep Guardiola has recently admitted that the Citizens could not afford to sign the England international.

United looked reluctant to meet the Foxes valuation until recently. However, it looks like they have now secured their primary target.

Maguire will join fellow summer signing Aaron Wan-Bissaka in a new-look Red Devils defence next season. No doubt the pair will improve United’s shaky defensive options.

However, the United squad needed a massive revamp. There are still doubts about the future of Paul Pogba at the club, while Inter are desperately attempting to get the money together to sign Red Devils forward Romelu Lukaku.

Juventus held an interest in the Belgium international as part of a swap deal involving Paulo Dybala. However, the Argentinian has reportedly snubbed a move to Old Trafford, preferring to stay in Turin instead.

The Red Devils squad does have quality. Although Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team and squad is still a long way behind neighbours Manchester City and bitter north west rivals Liverpool.

Solskjaer and people above him at the Manchester club still have major work to do turning the team around. Despite the new signings, getting back into the Champions League is still their best hope for next season.

United are still a big club. However, they no longer have the team to go with the stature of the organisation. The 2019/20 season needs to be one of stability for the Red Devils and they need to return to the top-four, but they are simply not yet good enough to be title challengers.