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There’s no such thing as a quiet season at Manchester United, but this campaign feels like one of the most hectic in recent memory.
Erik ten Hag has transformed the team’s on-pitch fortunes, overseeing the exit of Cristiano Ronaldo in November before the Glazers announced that the club was up for sale. Avram Glazer was at Wembley three months later to watch United lift the Carabao Cup, their first trophy in almost six years.
While the league title seems out of reach, United can still claim a cup treble. They find themselves in the final eight of the Europa League having seen off Barcelona, with an FA Cup semi-final against Brighton to look forward to.
Meanwhile, there is a lot of talk about who Ten Hag will bring in and let go during the summer. United are expected to sign a centre-forward with Harry Kane their number one target this summer and Victor Osimhen is also of interest.
A number of pundits have offered their thoughts on that and other topics ahead of the season’s run-in.
Kane to come in
Both Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher believe United could land Kane with a move to Old Trafford seemingly being the most likely option for England’s all-time leading goalscorer.
Neville says: “Man United are desperate for a centre-forward. Tottenham fans will be furious with me – they’ll say it’s me coming on television trying to get their player to Man United. It’s not. It just looks to me like at this moment in time that the most likely move.”
Carragher adds: “There’s not too many clubs there right now for him. I think the only place he can go realistically is Manchester United.
“He could go abroad but he will want that Premier League goal. He will be the top goalscorer if he stays in the Premier League and that is a pretty special achievement.
“So if he stays in England, the only big team he can go to is Man United. But will they spend £100million for a guy who is nearly 30?”
Maguire to exit
A number of players are expected to exit Old Trafford this summer, with many expecting Harry Maguire to bow out.
Danny Murphy says he “would be amazed if he’s not wearing another club shirt next season”, while Rio Ferdinand argued that Luke Shaw’s occasional selection at centre-back ahead of Maguire is ominous.
He says: “If I’m Harry Maguire, I’m looking for a new club right now, I have to be honest, you see what he does, what he’s done for England, he’s faultless, impeccable the way he plays.
“People um and ah, this and that, but he puts in solid performances for England, for Manchester United it hasn’t worked out for him.
“This new manager is showing by his team selection that he isn’t going to be in the top two or three, if I’m him, if I was him, in his shoes, I’d be going and saying, ‘find me somewhere where I can enjoy my football, be playing regular’.”
Glazers to stay?
The hot potato topic at United right now is the future ownership of the club. At least three bidders have made their takeover attempts public but there are grumblings that the Glazers may not sell up with reports suggesting they will not sell under their valuation of £6bn.
