Manuel Ugarte signs and Raheem Sterling follows: this is how Manchester United could line up after the transfer deadline
Manchester United's starting XI could look very different when the transfer window closes.
Teams have just two more days to complete their tasks; this summer's window ends Friday at 11 p.m.
The Red Devils have already done plenty of business this summer, signing defenders. Leny YoroMatthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, in addition to the striker Joshua Zirkzeelosing £148m in the process.
They have also let several players go, selling them. Greenwood Mason, Aaron Wan-BissakaWilly Kambwala, Donny van de Beek etc, Scott McTominay.
However, Manchester United's work this summer is not yet over.
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte An announcement is expected imminently, with the Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling Also linked.
Erik ten Hag's men suffered a 2-1 defeat to Brighton at the AMEX Stadium on Saturday, and the Dutchman will no doubt welcome reinforcements to avoid the same fate happening to them against fierce rivals. Liverpool This Sunday.
So how different could Manchester United's XI look at Old Trafford this weekend after the window closes for another five months?
Defense
Manchester United's defence will remain largely unchanged from the four defenders and goalkeeper they had in their opening games.
That is with the exception of £38.5m centre-back De Ligt, who is surely not far off taking Harry Maguire's place in the team.
Last week we reported that Man United have been offered an outcast. Chelsea Left-back Chilwell, and with the Red Devils absent Lucas Shaw and Tyrell Malacia Due to the injury, they need a new option there.
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Diogo Dalot He is currently filling the void until his return, however, the news about Chilwell (who is part of Chelsea's bomb squad) and Manchester United seems to have worn off.
Reports suggest Chilwell's wages could be a stumbling block to any potential last-minute loan deal. His pay rise last year means he now pockets £200,000 a week.
It looks like Dalot will occupy the left back position for now.
Meanwhile, summer signing Mazraoui will continue at right-back, while Lisandro Martinez will partner De Ligt in the middle.
Midfield
talkSPORT understands midfielder Ugarte will join for a fee of £49.29m, with the potential for a further £8.46m in additional payments.
The Uruguayan has already been compared to a young Javier MascheranotalkSPORT's European football pundit Kevin Hatchard says his best form at Manchester United will be as a defensive midfielder.
“He's a very defensive-minded midfielder,” he told talkSPORT Breakfast on Wednesday. “Someone who wins the ball back for you and allows you to start moves.”
“But what it isn't is particularly progressive, so you know what to expect.
“He's not someone who's going to score a lot of goals or who can open up a defence with a pass, but he'll help you get started by recovering the ball.
“And you know, if that's what you need, think about it. Casemiro But not so good at the moment. But of course Casemiro seems to be a bit on the decline, so they are thinking, you know, in the long term.”
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With this in mind, it would not be a surprise to see Ugarte starting in United's midfield.
It will appear next to Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandeswith the latter, the United captain, moving back to his attacking midfield role after starting up front in the absence of Rasmus Hojlund.
Stroke
This is the area of the pitch that could look drastically different for Manchester United once this transfer window is over.
Fernandes led the line with Hojlund out injured and Joshua Zirkzee finding his rhythm, but now it will be time for the former Bologna striker to start up front.
Meanwhile, United's vast options could be filled by entirely different personnel.
United have been heavily linked with Chelsea outcast Raheem Sterling.
Chelsea and Manchester UnitedThe possible swap deal between him and the disgraced Red Devils winger Jadon Sancho is not in an advanced stage, talkSPORT understands.
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But if Sterling were to be signed by United, it is likely that he would come into the starting XI and take the place of England team-mate Rashford on the left flank given the experience he possesses and the United star's variable form.
Sancho, for his part, seems willing to join Juventus.
Despite Amad Diallo scoring against Brighton, Ten Hag is likely to want to bring the more experienced Garnacho into the squad, allowing Diallo to take on more of a supporting role.
This is despite the fact that Garnacho normally comes in from the left.
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Ten Hag has already been He advised incorporating the Argentine into the teamwith talkSPORT Drive co-host Darren Bent Insisting that he had the ability to change games and that he is a better option than the regular starter. Marcus Rashford.
So if Sterling betrays his Manchester City past and arrives at Old Trafford before the end of Friday, he, Zirkzee and Garnacho will form Manchester United's attack.
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