Manchester United will surely need to bring in a couple of midfielders this summer no matter what Ineos decide to do about Erik ten Hag’s future.
United brought in two midfielders last summer but it’s fair to say that neither move has really worked out as intended.
Mason Mount’s first season at United has been blighted by injuries whilst Sofyan Amrabat hasn’t been able to replicate his World Cup heroics.
Amrabat will be heading back to Fiorentina this summer and he is unlikely to be the only exit from United’s engine room.
Casemiro has been linked away from the club whilst Ineos are reportedly ready to axe Christian Eriksen this summer.
Kobbie Mainoo’s rise has been great to watch but United need to add more bodies in midfield moving forward.
A decision on Erik ten Hag’s future will surely come before any signings, but it looks like one United-linked player is now heading elsewhere.
Manchester United to miss out on Guido Rodriguez
Reports in November suggested that United were making a strong move to sign Real Betis midfielder Guido Rodriguez.
The Argentina international is out of contract this summer and looks ready to leave Betis on a free transfer.
A combative midfielder with bags of experience playing as a holding player, Rodriguez has impressed since joining Betis from Club America in 2020.
United may well have been keen on a free transfer, viewing the 30-year-old as a cheap but dependable player in midfield.
Well, United can now forget about any idea of signing him as Rodriguez is actually closing in on a move to Barcelona.
Fabrizio Romano claims that Barcelona have a verbal agreement with Rodriguez over a two-year deal with the option of another year.
Romano states that the deal isn’t done just yet but there is confidence that Rodriguez will be heading to Catalunya this summer.
United may still have a window of opportunity to hijack the move, but it seems that Rodriguez will be staying in La Liga and making a big move to Barcelona instead.
Ineos do need to think about some experience
Most United supporters are now expecting Ineos to focus on signing young talents.
That should be the priority, but we also think that a couple of experienced signing at the right price wouldn’t be a bad idea.
Big fees and contracts for Casemiro and Raphael Varane haven’t aged well but some cheaper experience could mesh well with younger signings.
Just look at Chelsea; they went all-in on signing youngsters and now look like a team with few veteran presences to guide them through difficult times.
United have to be careful and look to avoid the same problems, so a free transfer move for Rodriguez could have made sense in that regard.
Barcelona now appear to be closing in but United would be wise to keep some similar profiles in mind for the summer window.