Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s ruthless Man Utd challenge as Raphael Varane joins Jadon Sancho

Fernandes says Man Utd 'ready to win trophies'

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Manchester United’s summer transfer window has been going swimmingly so far. Jadon Sancho has finally arrived at the club and Raphael Varane will be joining him at Old Trafford soon – but there is plenty of work still to be done by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his colleagues.

United came into this summer with two major aims: to finally find a solution to their problem right-wing position and sign a world-class centre-back to partner Harry Maguire.

In that respect it’s almost a case of job done. Once Varane has agreed personal terms, completed a medical and signed his contract then United’s hierarchy will deserve a pat on the back.

But, with four weeks left until the transfer deadline on August 31, they must not linger too long on their successes.

That is because there is a lot left to consider. The first and most obvious of the remaining factors is Paul Pogba, who has entered the final year of his contract and is once again agitating for a transfer.

Paris Saint-Germain have been strongly linked with a transfer after Pogba turned down the offer of a renewed deal which would have reportedly made him the best-paid player in the Premier League.

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A firm stance is now needed from Manchester United, who cannot be held to ransom by the French midfielder.

Either they need to cut their losses and sell to PSG at the earliest opportunity for the best possible price to allow time to bring in a replacement. Or they need to hold on, call Pogba’s bluff and risk losing him on a free transfer for the second time.

Selling Pogba for a significant fee and bringing in Atletico Madrid’s Saul Niguez as a replacement does not appear to be a bad idea on paper.

But in reality it is a tough task. The Premier League season begins on August 13 and United are only just getting to grips with pre-season in Scotland.

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Not all of their players have yet returned from holiday after Euro 2020 and Solskjaer has little time to properly prepare for another gruelling campaign.

In a way, the Pogba situation is out of the club’s control. One thing they do have control over, however, is the size of their squad.

United’s current first-team squad contains 37 players, according to their website. Once Varane arrives that will reach 38 – a number which is simply unmanageable for Solskjaer and his coaching staff.

With the clock ticking on the 2021/22 season, the Norwegian needs help in trimming those who he is working with on a daily basis.

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According to ESPN, there are nine players potentially on the chopping block as we approach the closing stages of the transfer window.

In theory at least, Jesse Lingard, Brandon Williams, Anthony Martial, Diogo Dalot, Phil Jones, Alex Telles, Andreas Pereira, Daniel James and Axel Tuanzebe are all available for transfer.

While shifting that many fringe players in a depressed market is an unenviable task, it is one which must be attempted if United are to have a harmonious, focused group for the upcoming season.

It can be useful to have young players around the first team. The likes of Shola Shoretire, Anthony Elanga and Amad can continue their development and push the senior players harder in training.

However, it is difficult keeping more established, older players happy when they are not getting game time.

Lingard, Dalot and Pereira spent last season on loan with West Ham, AC Milan and Lazio respectively. Permanent transfers to those sides should be seen as a priority for United now.

Jones could be a difficult player to shift following a terrible spell of injuries, but loan moves for Williams and Tuanzebe should not be hard to negotiate.

Solskjaer has developed a reputation for being a kind-hearted and emphatic manager. But to take United to the next level – and finally win a trophy – he must show a ruthless side.

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