Man UTD should face a transfer ban for the striker unless they sign the midfielder

It’s the last and slowest international break of the year, with January just around the corner, so a sudden surge in players linked with Manchester United is absolutely and inevitably.

For the easy gossipers (yeah, we know), Benjamin Sisko picked up an injury against Tottenham at the weekend.

A serious reaction to any such setback is to look to the market for alternatives. Andric, perhaps?

This, of course, ignores an obvious solution to a problem that doesn’t yet exist.

Ruben Amorim has a number of options to replace Cisco as the front man in his squad. Either Matthies Cunha or Brian Mbemo could play instead, while Joshua Zarkezi is still available, even if he could be away in January.

Even if none of that were true, United should be banned from signing anyone who identifies as anything other than a midfielder unless they can fill the gaping hole in Amorim’s squad.

manager, A year in post nowis finally seeing some sprouts of positivity after 12 months that many didn’t expect.

But that good work could still be undermined with a tackle or a compromise, or anything that leaves Amorim without Casemiro.

For several reasons, It’s surprising how important Casemiro is to be reunited. Hardly a soul outside the Brazilian’s family thought he wasn’t finished, and even some of his relatives probably agreed that ‘football has left him’.

Now, though, The impact Casemiro had on United in his first season has made an impact again In 2022/23. It’s not just that United are a better team with the 33-year-old at the moment, it’s how much worse they would be without him.

MORE: Carragher and Ratcliffe Force Force Courtesy of New Casemiro

It was hoped that this would be a breakout season for Manuel Ugart, a year to settle after his move from PSG, but Amorim’s exhortation at the end of his first campaign It doesn’t seem to be registered.

To play in the base of the midfield, that leaves only Kobe Mino, who Amorim doesn’t really like for that role. Given Mino’s obvious class – it feels wrong to write – that there is no place for an academy graduate in Amorim’s box midfield. Perhaps there is a glimmer of hope from reports that Amorim is also spending time drilling United’s 4-3-3, but given the manager’s obsession with the back three, Mino is destined to be only a bit part player under Amorim. In this case, For his own sake, he needs to escape.

Bruno Fernandes is doing a great job in a role that doesn’t suit his best qualities but, quite simply, if you manage Manchester United, you find a way to play Fernandes.

Beyond Casemiro and Fernandes, Amorim is out of options. Certainly the quality needed to propel United back into Europe, it is what will define the season and the manager as a success or failure.

In that case, unexpectedly he isn’t already, Amorim needs to bag his board for the midfielder he knew he needed in the summer but never bought.

Being such a glaring flaw, even with less than 50 days until the window opens, the Red Devils have plenty to do with it.

Elliot Anderson. Adam Wharton. Carlos Beliba. Joe Gomez. Conor Gallagher. Alex Scott. Not that anyone would. But it’s almost.

Of course, United’s scouting department does not operate on that basis, despite previous impressions to the contrary. They will identify the best, most suitable target. Then almost certainly decide that he is too expensive and, therefore, unplayable in January.

And they can be fine. There will be obscene offers for Palace to part with Wharton in January or for Flagg Anderson for Forest. Prices are unlikely to drop in the summer, especially if either England international makes a positive impression at the World Cup. But you’d think their clubs would be far less motivated to sell mid-season.

So a stopgap may be necessary and United shouldn’t be too proud to admit it. Casemiro is out of contract next summer so until then they will need two midfielders anyway. Even if they are willing to wait until later this season for their primary midfield target, they still need one to avoid a completely unaffordable gamble to make it to May.

As long as they source that midfielder, United shouldn’t have to think about anything else, given how this huge recruitment department is seemingly incapable of multi-tasking.