Manchester United has acted promptly in response to Harry Maguire’s call for changes during the summer transfer window. Maguire, 32, had foreseen significant alterations within the team, a prediction that came to fruition under the guidance of Ruben Amorim, who revamped the squad composition.
The club made substantial upgrades to their attacking prowess by acquiring Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Sesko for a total investment of approximately £200 million. Although Sesko, 22, joined Old Trafford at a later stage, all three players are now integral parts of Amorim’s new starting lineup.
Furthermore, goalkeeper Senne Lammens was recruited from Royal Antwerp on the deadline day. While Lammens is yet to debut for United, he is expected to assume the primary goalkeeper role. This decision follows concerns surrounding current keepers Andre Onana, who is set for a loan move to Trabzonspor, and Altay Bayindir.
On the departure front, United bid farewell to a total of 12 players through permanent or loan deals. Notably, Antony and Alejandro Garnacho exited permanently, while Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Rasmus Hojlund departed on temporary arrangements.
Despite a sluggish start to the season, Amorim now has the tools to imprint his style on the team, as Maguire had advocated for earlier in the year. The club’s financial situation seemed precarious after finishing 15th in the Premier League last season and missing out on European competitions for the first time in a decade. However, a net spend of around £160 million demonstrated a robust financial position, bolstered by support from co-owners Ineos.
Maguire, despite finding himself out of the starting lineup initially, has witnessed a shift in the defensive setup under Amorim, with a new trio of center-backs emerging. The ongoing changes at Old Trafford will require time to yield results as the club strives to reclaim its former glory. Nevertheless, both Maguire and fans can acknowledge the club’s proactive steps towards resurgence.