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2nd April 2024
05:32pm BST
Man United have already brought in Omar Berrada from Manchester City, have Dan Ashworth (former Newcastle United) lined up for a big role and have irked Southampton by circling around director of football Jason Wilcox.
Jim Ratcliffe, David Brailsford and the INEOS group are making major structural and personnel changes at Manchester United, since buying a stake in the club and taking over football operations. The next steps will be a decision on sticking with current manager, Erik ten Hag and what moves to make in the summer transfer market.
United have been heavily linked with Michael Olise and Benfica midfielder João Neves, but an earlier piece of business could see them tie up a player ten Hag was eager to offload, last summer. Scott McTominay was close to leaving the club and probably would have moved had City's planned swoop for Brazil international Lucas Paquetá had not hit the skids.
As it all played out, McTominay remained at United and lived off scraps until he came off the bench against Brentford, last October, and scored two injury time goals to turn a losing position into a 2-1 win. Following that game, the Scotland international, who has been with United since he was eight years old, said:
"I was watching the David Beckham documentary last night and you can see all the history and the people behind the club and that’s who the lads do it for and that’s what means the most. It’s so important that we all come together and that’s what it means at this football club - we do it for the people. That’s the same as me, I’m a fan so I want us to do well.”
McTominay has scored nine times for United, this season, and is now part of a starting midfield trio, with Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo, that is keeping Christian Eriksen, Mason Mount and Casemiro out of the starting XI.
It has now been reported by The Daily Star that United are set to reward McTominay for his performances this season with a new, and improved, contract. The 27-year-old is not out of contract until June 2025, and the club have an option of extending his deal if they want to keep him on, but it has been reported that Ratcliffe, Brailsford & Co. want to send a message to the squad and reward a player for his commitment.
McTominay is, then, set to be taken off the club's transfer list and could reportedly double his current wages of £60,000 per week.
From a footballing perspective, that decision will not solve the aching midfield problems United are experiencing, this season. Mainoo is fighting fires in the centre of the park as both McTominay and Fernandes have attacking tendencies and are not the most disciplined in terms of keeping shape.
The new footballing brains trust at Man United may be about to signal a fresh direction in terms of transfers, too.
Recently, Jim Ratcliffe spoke of the club not breaking the bank to bring in established, world-class talents. "I would rather find the next Kylian Mbappé, rather than spend a fortune to buy success. It's not that clever to go and sign Mbappé. Anyone could figure that one out. What's more challenging is to find the next Mbappé, the next Bellingham, the next Roy Keane."
To that end, it is no huge surprise to read that United are looking to the lower leagues, and across Europe, to find some young gems. The Sun is reporting that the club are tracking Port Vale and England underage striker, Baylee Dipepa.
The 17-year-old forward has already played 17 times (two starts) for Port Vale in League One, this season, and has three goal involvements (two goals, one assist). He recently played for England U17s and scored twice against Northern Ireland and the opening goal against Hungary.
United have had some recent success with young players like Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho, Willy Kambwala and Omari Forson. Dipepa may look at that and tell himself that he could go straight into the senior squad if he can build on this season's breakthrough.
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