United need further recruits to seriously challenge despite £200m spree

Metro

18 hours ago

Manchester United have spent an eye-popping £200million on three forwards during the summer but is it enough to seriously strengthen an attack which only scored 44 Premier League goals last seaon?
Matheus Cunha was the first to arrive when he was signed from Wolves with Bryan Mbeumo joining from Brentford before Benjamin Sesko was unveiled as the third new striker before Saturday's 1-1 draw in the friendly with Fiorentina at Old Trafford.
The 22-year-old was linked with Liverpool, Newcastle and Arsenal among others but United have agreed a £73million deal with RB Leipzig to add his undoubted potential to what was a powderpuff attack.
He has scored 39 goals in 87 matches for the Bundesliga side and is interesting each-way material at 25/1 with BetVictor to win this year's Golden Boot. However…
Rasmus Hojlund may have only scored 14 times in the top flight in two seasons with United but often lacked quality service. United failed to score in 15 league matches, a record which was only better than bottom club Southampton, and unless Ruben Amorim can also improve his midfield options then they will remain a long way from returning to Champions League football, let alone win their first title since the 2012/13 campaign.
In The Mixer: Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every week – sign up, it's an open goal.
Brighton's box-to-box operative Carlos Baleba has been linked with a move to Old Trafford but the Seagulls are demanding more than £100m for him to leave the Amex Stadium so cheaper alternatives may be sought.
Perhaps they should have sold captain Bruno Fernandes when Saudi clubs were linked with £100m enquiries or found a buyer for Casemiro who increasingly looks past his better days as both can be defensive liabilities.
A positive is that United may have missed out on Champions League football by losing the Europa League final to Spurs in Bilbao but that should leave their squad fresher than most this term as they will have a reduced workload although they look skinny at a best price of 13/8 with Sky Bet to finish in the top five.
The SpreadEx and Sporting Index offer of 21/10 for a top-four finish also looks underwhelming as does Betfred's 14/1 to finish as the top team in the North West which would mean amassing more points than Liverpool and neighbours Manchester City.
The 25/1 with Ladbrokes and Coral to win the title is obviously a ridiculous non-starter so United fans seeking a pre-season flutter should take the 16/1 with bet365 for them to win the FA Cup or take 12/1 with the same firm, Ladbrokes, Coral and others to lift the Carabao Cup and pray for favourable draws as a bare minimum in both competitions.
Leeds United made hard work of it in the end but they were easily the most impressive club in the Championship last season and deserved to be promoted as title-holders.
They have signed well this summer and appeal at 8/11 with William Hill, Betfred and Bresbet to stay up. Even better is the 5/6 with Betfred to be the top promoted club which will cash even if they do go straight back down.
Brighton are unfortunate not to be playing European football this season and if they can keep their better players between now and the transfer deadline – and enjoy a tad more luck with injuries – they look a lock-in to finish in the top half of the Premier League at 10/11 with Betfred, especially as they drew eight times at the Amex Stadium. More Trending
If just a few of those results can be turn into wins they could easily finish as high as sixth, where Aston Villa wound up just five points better off than the south coast side last term, at 11/2 with Paddy Power and Betfair.
MORE: Newcastle make decision on Alexander Isak transfer and target Spain international
MORE: Chelsea urged to reconsider 'problematic' £50m transfer decision
MORE: Jack Grealish approves move to Premier League club as Manchester City make demand