It would be wise for Manchester United to be looking to add a winger to their roster this winter, as Jadon Sancho’s terrible time there appears to be drawing to a close.
Sancho was being courted by Bundesliga clubs in the lead-up to the January transfer window, and it now seems like he will be returning to his previous club, Borussia Dortmund. Sancho became a fully-fledged England international and a footballer worth £73 million while playing for BVB.
The 23-year-old Sancho hasn’t played a single game since August due to a disastrоus split with Erik ten Hag and a string of lackluster performances during his tenure at United.
A new winger wouldn’t hurt Old Trafford in the second half of 2023–24 and beyond, especially considering that other wide options, like Alejandro Garnacho, have struggled mightily this term.
If the Red Devils are looking for some ideas, here are four of them.
According to rumors, Michael Olise United is hoping to create a splash with his entrance as the club begins the Sir Jim Radcliffe period, which might lead to a wealthy new age for the club.
The Frenchman reportedly had his release clause boosted when he re-signed with Crystal Palace in August. A sum of around £70 million has been proposed by some.
Given Olise’s form after returning from an ankle ailment, even a high fee could turn out to be a bargain. In his last four games for the Premier League in 2023, he contributed to five goals as a brilliant right wing playmaker.
Olise could end up being a huge improvement over the innocuous Antony, and he isn’t the type of player who needs support in broad areas.
Neto Pedro
Pedro Neto is a gifted player who can light up Old Trafford with his electrifying play and skill on either wing, regardless of his ιnjury history.
His spectacular early surge at Wolves was cut short by a terrible knee ιnjury, which caused him to have a quieter campaign leading up to the 2023–24 season. The Portuguese wide receiver Neto was back to his best early in the season despite suffering yet another ιnjury setback.
Wolves’ 2-1 September triumph over Manchester City was nearly entirely attributable to Neto, whose pace and directness are transitional cheat codes.
United may be hesitant to pay a premium price for Neto due to his ιnjury history, and he is bound to a long-term deal at Molineux.
Federico Chiesa After playing a pivotal role in Italy’s Euro 2020 victory, Chiesa was destined to dominate the European scene for some time. Although many were already familiar with the winger’s nаme, it was at that tournament that he truly made his global debut.
Unfortunately, the Italian will not be able to enjoy the glory of 2021 because he tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) only six months after the Azzurri won at Wembley. Sure, you can see hints, but Chiesa has definitely lost some of his deadly explosiveness.
Even if he’s had to change, the Juventus star is still a fantastic player for the Old Lady and can fill in well for a variety of positions. On the other hand, Chiesa was most effective when playing off the right side; maybe he may regain his form by playing this position in a different setting.
Nicolai Williams
Spain international Nico Williams is another nаme that has been circulating a lot in the transfer rumours. Many elite teams, including Barcelona, have begun to link Nico, the younger brother of longtime Athletic Club player Inaki, as a potential alternative for 2024.
Williams is a dribbling sensation in many different places; he is also a versatile winger who has only just begun to reach his full potential. He is versatile enough to play off either wing, and his one-on-one skills help him create opportunities in the final third. When it comes to space attacks, he’s lethal as well.
A deal for Williams would not be financially devastating, according to reports. The teenager is a useful forward who doesn’t score a lot, but Athletic has a history of making clubs pay a premium for their abilities (as United learned the hard way).
Williams combines Olise and Neto, but he lacks the Premier League experience that Neto already possesses.