Manchester United are set to confirm Lille centre-back Leny Yoro as their second signing of the summer this week in a £52million deal. He will follow Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee’s £36.5m arrival as INEOS waste no time to reshape Erik ten Hag’s squad in their first transfer in charge of football operations.
And Ten Hag may have already revealed which position United will look to strengthen next once they’ve sealed reinforcements in defence and attack.
Zirkzee and Yoro appear to be straight replacements for Anthony Martial and Raphael Varane, who left the club as free agents this summer upon the expiry of their contracts.
But Ten Hag is also keen on adding another new midfielder to his engine room amid the uncertain futures of multiple current players.
Donny Van de Beek has left for Girona, while Casemiro, Scott McTominay, Christian Eriksen and Hannibal are thought to be up for sale at the right price.
United are subsequently on the hunt for fresh blood to partner Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes in midfield this season.
And Ten Hag publicly suggested that after finding replacements for Martial and Varane, a midfielder would be next following United’s FA Cup victory against Manchester City in May.
“We need to sign an extra striker in the summer,” the Dutchman told VI after lifting a second major trophy in as many seasons at Wembley Stadium.
“And if we can sign another central midfielder and a replacement for Varane, things will look good again. If the team remains fit we can try and aim for top four again.”
Ten Hag’s comments suggest he is eyeing for a repeat of his first season in charge by achieving a top-four Premier League finish.
United finished third in the 2022/23 campaign after ending a six-year trophy drought with Carabao Cup glory against Newcastle United.
Ten Hag faced severe sack pressure at the end of last term after overseeing a staggering decline, slumping to eighth and suffering Champions League elimination in the group stage.
But INEOS have kept faith in the 54-year-old and backed him early in the transfer window, offering a platform to improve over the next several months.
United will need more than two signings to do that, but any further incomings, including a midfielder, are set to depend on player sales.
Mason Greenwood will complete a £27m move to Marseille imminently, while West Ham United are reportedly keen to do a deal for Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
