Five Manchester United Players Who Must Be Replaced — Including a Recent Summer Signing
With a three-game winning streak in the Premier League in October, Ruben Amorim’s team is coming off the best month in many years for Manchester United.
This has significantly reduced the pressure that was mounting on Amorim, who seemed precarious after a run of subpar performance and with doubts about his failed system.
But Amorim’s recent small adjustments to Manchester United’s lineup, along with the significant impact of their four summer additions, have steadied the Premier League heavyweights as they have risen to the top of the standings.
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The Red Devils were held to a 2-2 draw at Nottingham Forest on Saturday, which was a bit of a reality check.
They were fortunate not to lose, but they did have a lot of heart to gain a late point and keep up their momentum.
Although they are still far from contending for or winning the Premier League title, Manchester United has many reasons to be optimistic because they are on course and appear much more likely to finish in the top six this season than they did a month ago.
Man Utd must sign upgrades for these five players in order to keep moving closer to that stage.
Patrick Dorgu (Left-Back)
Despite having a poor start to life at Old Trafford, Dorgu is the only natural wing-back that Manchester United signed during Amorim’s tenure.
It has been a story of highs and lows for the 21-year-old, who is obviously very raw because his flaws are making him more inconsistent.
Dorgu is said to possess three traits that could make him the “best” left-back in the world in the future, but we are not yet witnessing what Amorim believes, as he has recently dropped behind Dalot in the hierarchy.
Although Manchester United’s summer business was successful, it is perplexing that they chose not to strengthen at wing-back and center-midfield, two positions that cannot be disregarded in January or the next summer.
Casemiro (Defensive-Midfielder)
After being cast off by many, including Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Jamie Carragher, the Brazil international’s stunning comeback has come as a surprise.
The 33-year-old’s efforts have paid off, as both his and his team’s performances have significantly improved.
However, he has undoubtedly benefited from the enhanced athleticism surrounding him, which has reduced his exposure risk.
A few months ago, Man Utd’s choice to fire Casemiro when his contract expires next year would have been obvious, but they might be reconsidering.
They still need to sign an upgrade in the No. 6 spot who can be a mainstay in the first XI for the next five or more years, even though Casemiro is doing enough to warrant a one-year contract on lesser terms or to depart Manchester United in 2026 with his head held high.
Although they might have “serious doubts” about Carlos Baleba, Elliot Anderson would be a fantastic fit.
Luke Shaw (Left-Back/Center-Back)
In terms of centre back, Man Utd is not far behind because Matthijs de Ligt has shown to be a wise acquisition and a fantastic fit for the central position in the back three, while Leny Yoro is good and will eventually become very good.
Shaw has been one of their weak points this season, so there are concerns about the left-sided centre-back.
He has been hampered by injuries because, although he has demonstrated in the past that he can be among Europe’s top full-backs, he is currently far from that calibre.
Shaw is a good fit for this back three role at this point in his career, but in recent months, he has been caught out numerous times and, much to Roy Keane’s dismay, has been “getting away with murder.”
Lisandro Martinez’s impending return could resolve this issue if he is the same player he was prior to his cruciate ligament injury, or Manchester United would be better off taking advantage of Liverpool’s attempt to sign Marc Guehi, who has been demonstrating at Crystal Palace that he is the best left-sided centre-back available and would make another, albeit unlikely, statement by joining INEOS.
Benjamin Sesko (Striker)
You may be perplexed by Sesko’s mention after waxing poetic about Manchester United’s outstanding summer acquisitions, but bear with us. Sesko has indeed gotten off to a good start at Old Trafford.
His two goals in ten Premier League games don’t fully capture the picture because he possesses the physical characteristics needed to eventually become a fantastic No. 9 for Manchester United.
Sesko, like Rasmus Hojlund, is a project for the Red Devils, and everyone would benefit from an extra boost of quality up front to give their summer signing room to breathe. However, Sesko does need time to achieve that level.
In this situation, Harry Kane is undoubtedly Man Utd’s ideal acquisition, and a specific clause makes a 2026 transfer favourable.
However, the team may even search further down the list of established Premier League strikers and sign Ollie Watkins or Danny Welbeck as an additional option to set up Sesko to succeed at Old Trafford in the short, medium, and long term.
Diogo Dalot (Left-Back)
The wing-backs are perhaps still the most crucial part of Manchester United’s 3-4-3 formation despite Amorim’s recent adjustments, and their current crop is subpar.
This is partially not their fault because players had to adjust to a new role and the team that Amorim inherited lacked a natural wing-back.
Dalot has not been able to establish himself in this role, but Amad Diallo has.
Diallo’s work ethic and attacking prowess have made his transition easier, but Dalot is more of a full-back while playing wing-back, and that is evident unless he is facing Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Dalot has had a longer career at Manchester United than most people realise, and his versatility is helpful, but they are limited in their ability to attack on whichever flank he plays on, and if they want to improve, they need to replace him with a specialist wing-back.
