Manchester United is gearing up to return to their Carrington training ground, with their first pre-season friendly match scheduled in just 19 days. This comes after a delay by Ineos in confirming Erik ten Hag’s continuation as manager, following an extensive end-of-season review that lasted nearly three weeks.
As a result of this delay, Ten Hag is likely now working to catch up on preparations for the upcoming season. His primary focus will be on securing new signings, with a particular emphasis on acquiring a central defender, midfielder, and striker.
Manchester United’s spending will be cautious due to Premier League financial regulations. To balance the books while still strengthening the squad, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos team are expected to enforce strict sales this summer.
Additionally, there is the potential return of Mason Greenwood to the team for pre-season, should a transfer not be finalized within the next two weeks. According to The Mirror, Greenwood is valued at £40 million, but no offers of this value have been made. Lazio has reportedly bid £30 million for him. Greenwood has not played for United since January 2022, following his arrest on charges of attempted rape, controlling and coercive behavior, and assault causing actual bodily harm. These charges were dropped in February 2023, and Greenwood has consistently denied the allegations.
The Manchester Evening News has reported interest in Greenwood from Juventus and Napoli. He spent the previous season on loan at Getafe, a Spanish club that is keen to retain him for the next season. Greenwood has one year remaining on his contract with United, and Borussia Dortmund is also reportedly interested in the 22-year-old forward.
In other transfer news, Manchester United has been linked to Manuel Ugarte, a midfielder currently playing for Paris Saint-Germain and with the Uruguay national team at the Copa America. His agent, Jorge Chijane, previously mentioned potential interest from Liverpool but expressed uncertainty about the specifics. In an interview with O Jogo, Chijane discussed Ugarte’s potential summer departure, stating, “Liverpool? There’s a lot of talk, but there are other clubs as well. While much is discussed, I’m unsure about the club. Several opportunities are on the table. It’s almost certain he will leave; I think the matter will be resolved soon.”
As Manchester United prepares for the new season, their efforts will be focused on finalizing the squad. Integrating new players and potentially reintegrating Greenwood will be crucial for building a competitive team. The upcoming weeks will be vital in shaping the roster and setting the stage for the season ahead.
