Manchester United’s transfer window has been weirdly quiet so far. No official signings yet, and the rumor mill is running at full speed while the club’s roster has more holes than most people realize. They need at least two central midfielders, a left winger, and a left back. Andrey Santos is supposedly on his way from Chelsea to help in midfield, but the deal for his Brazilian teammate Ederson might be falling apart.
Here’s the thing about United’s situation. They’re back in the Champions League next season, which means more games. And more games mean Luke Shaw cannot keep playing every single Premier League match like he did last season. Because that’s what happened. Shaw started all 38 league games. That’s insane for a guy whose injury history is basically a medical chart the size of a phone book.
Shaw had his best season in a United shirt last year. Stayed healthy, scored that goal against Nottingham Forest, and genuinely looked like the old version of himself that everyone thought was gone. But he’s 30 now, and asking him to do that again while adding midweek Champions League fixtures is a recipe for disaster.
The club has been linked with Lewis Hall from Newcastle. Hall is good. But Newcastle would ask for a stupid amount of money, and United has bigger problems. Much bigger problems.
Midfield is the real crisis
Casemiro left on a free transfer. Manuel Ugarte got hurt at the World Cup. So right now, Kobbie Mainoo is the only senior central midfielder on the roster. That’s not a typo. One guy. Santos helps, but if Ederson doesn’t happen, they need two more midfielders at least. That’s where the money has to go.
Spending big on a left back when you have no midfield feels like buying a new stereo for a car with no engine. It doesn’t make sense.
The kid already in the building
Harry Amass is 19 years old and already has seven appearances for United’s first team. He spent the first half of last season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday and won consecutive player of the month awards. Then he went to Norwich, made his debut, and promptly got injured in training. Missed the rest of the season. Bad timing, but not a career-ender.
Former manager Ruben Amorim threw Amass into the lineup during a defensive injury crisis, and the kid looked comfortable. Not flashy. Just solid. Good on the ball. Didn’t panic. That’s more than you can say for some veteran defenders United has trotted out there.
Using Amass as Shaw’s backup saves the club millions it doesn’t have to spend. The cup competitions give him minutes. He learns from Shaw, who has been through every injury and comeback imaginable. By the end of the season, United will know whether Amass is the long-term answer or if they need to go back into the market.
Either way, spending big money on a left back right now would be a mistake. The midfield is the priority. Amass can handle the rest.
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