Manchester United have transfer regrets over four players ahead of Southampton clash
Manchester United v Southampton: Match preview
Manchester United have transfer regrets over four players ahead of their Premier League clash with Southampton, it has been claimed. The Red Devils go into the match seeking a return to winning ways. They made just one signing in January, with Amad Diallo arriving from Atalanta.
United’s lack of signings wasn’t a surprise.
With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side flying high at present, sitting only behind fierce rivals Manchester City in the Premier League table, they were never going to break the bank for anybody.
However, United did manage to broker several departures over the course of the month.
Tim Fosu-Mensah was sold to Bayer Leverkusen for just £1.8million, with the Netherlands international departing without ever realising his potential at Old Trafford.
Jesse Lingard, Teden Mengi and Facundo Pellistri were all loaned out to boost their chances of improving, joining West Ham United and Deportivo Alaves respectively.
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And Marcos Rojo was finally cut loose, with the Argentina international moving to Boca Juniors after four underwhelming years at Old Trafford.
However, journalist Jonathan Shrager has claimed the club are regretful they couldn’t secure more loan exits in January.
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It’s claimed that, in a more active window, the Red Devils would have loaned out Nathan Bishop, Ethan Galbraith, Dylan Levitt and Matej Kovar.
He tweeted: “From my discussions with various people, in a more active transfer market, a few more of the younger #MUFC lads would have probably gone on loan for the rest of the season.
“Players such as Bishop, Galbraith, Kovar and Levitt.”
United have felt the impact of the coronavirus crisis across all levels.
And they decided to keep the majority of their players at Old Trafford this winter, with Solskjaer acknowledging the need to have a big squad at his disposal.
Meanwhile, speaking ahead of the showdown at the Theatre of Dreams, Solskjaer hailed his coaching staff for the hard work they’ve put in.
“The staff are brilliant. The medical staff, the sports science staff, and the boys look after themselves, of course,” he said.
“But I think the players have learned, they are physically more robust.
“We have upped the training last season and during pre-season and the lockdown.
“Mentally, as well, we’re more prepared for a quick turnaround and, of course, we have a deep and a strong squad; full of quality with the attitude, the character to always want to play.
“So a little niggle won’t stop anyone. Sometimes, the rotation has helped us get through without injuries.”
On whether it’s hard to get his players motivated for a match every three days, he added: “It is, as you said, a quick turnaround.
“Today is Monday, we play tomorrow night, so today they’re still recovering from the game on Saturday, but they still have to prepare and be on the way up again for tomorrow night.
“Today was more of a light training day, we don’t do a lot with the ones that played.
“Of course, you’ve got the ones who didn’t play that want to play and look really sharp.
“I wouldn’t say it’s hard to get up mentally. Sometimes it takes a bit of time to get going, but I’ve been very happy with the reaction and the way they have prepared for games.”
United beat Southampton 3-2 when they met earlier in the season.
Edinson Cavani was the hero that day, coming off the bench to score twice and give his side all three points.
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