Louis Saha has advised Manchester United to sign three players this summer, including a 'dominant' midfielder and another striker to support Benjamin Sesko, while naming Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven as an 'exciting' possible addition.
United's Summer Transfer Plans
Manchester United are firmly on course to qualify for the Champions League this season after climbing to third in the Premier League under caretaker manager Michael Carrick. The Red Devils have never struggled to entice players to Old Trafford, but qualifying for the Champions League will certainly help them beat rivals to summer deals.
United spent almost £200 million on Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens last summer, and all four have enjoyed promising first seasons at the club. United will hope to secure more shrewd deals come the summer, with Saha of the opinion that midfield reinforcements are the priority.
Midfield Reinforcements Needed
The Old Trafford squad looked short in midfield even before an in-form Casemiro announced in January that he was leaving at the end of the season. Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba have all been heavily linked with the Manchester giants, and Saha wants to see a 'similar type' of player to Arsenal's Declan Rice arrive through the doors.
'Central midfield is a must for Manchester United in the transfer market, especially if we don't keep Casemiro, but still we need better athleticism in midfield,' Saha told Ozoon. 'We need someone that you feel like is going to be dominant, pretty much all through the pitch, we need a similar style to Declan Rice, a profile that can offer so much and also dominate physically.'
Striker and Defender Targets
Saha has also urged his former club to 'focus on' signing a new striker to support Sesko. 'I'd also like to see a new striker at the club, Benjamin Sesko is a top player with big potential but we need another type of striker. Those are the two positions I would focus on,' he said.
Additionally, Saha named Tottenham's Micky van de Ven as an exciting possible addition. 'We have players in attacking areas and on the wings, defensively we have a lot of options, but Micky van de Ven would be an exciting addition if he is available, he is the calibre of player that can help United to the next level,' Saha added.
Van de Ven's Profile
Van de Ven has established himself as one of the best defenders in the Premier League since his £43 million move from Wolfsburg in 2023. The Netherlands international is contracted to Spurs for another three years but has been linked with an early exit as Tottenham battle relegation to the Championship.
Manchester United's need for midfield reinforcements would of course be lessened if Casemiro extended his contract, but the Brazilian has already confirmed his final decision has been made.
