Christian Eriksen has gone, Casemiro’s legs might have gone and Manuel Ugarte is yet to really arrive. Manchester United’s need for midfield reinforcements is arguably just as urgent as their need for a striker.
But with Brentford playing hard ball over Bryan Mbeumo and INEOS yet to offload one of their five transfer listed players – Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia – the idea of signing a quality midfielder this summer seems little more than a distant dream right now.
There is one beacon of light in the centre of the park, however. Reports from Italy claim that Juventus are ready to part ways with Douglas Luiz, who was superb for Aston Villa but has failed to impress in his 18 months at the Allianz Arena.
By coincidence, Juve are the frontrunners to sign one of the five unwanted, Sancho, and it has been reported the clubs are pondering a player exchange.
In an exclusive interview with The Peoples Person courtesy of Gameshub, United great Paul Parker said the exchange would represent a superb piece of business for United.
Parker’s guide to the trade-in value
“My boy was talking about that one to me and I said yes, because I think they need a steady influence in the middle of the park,” Parker said when asked if the swap deal would work. “They haven’t got it, Manchester United. They’ve never controlled a game of football last season.
“They just didn’t keep the ball enough and you need a player who demands it and forces your team when to take the tempo up or when to bring it down.
“And they haven’t got that. They haven’t got that disciplined player in the middle who’s experienced as well. I think Mainoo could get there, but he needs to get his head together and get himself back to where he was pre-Euros.
“For me [the Sancho-Luiz swap] would be incredible, what a great deal that could be.
“I don’t see why [Luiz] wouldn’t want to come to Manchester United. I’m quite sure Villa would love to have him back, but they can’t because of their situation. So, yes, I like that one.
“And the best bit of it is that you’re getting someone out of the door who shouldn’t really be around the place, you’re getting rid of a bad apple. And if [Sancho] thinks he can go to a club like Juve and behave like that, then I think he’ll find himself not in a good place again, because he’s let himself down consistently with everyone.
Would United get the Villa version of Luiz or the Juventus version?
Parker said that although Luiz has disappointed in Turin, United should not be discouraged.
“I think just certain players suit certain clubs. Certain players, certain clubs just don’t fit. And he just hasn’t fitted.
The former England international mused that Luiz’s recent breakup with partner Alisha Lehmann, who plays for Juventus’ women’s team, could have affected his performance. “Maybe that gets a little bit emotional as well, “ he observed.
“[Juventus] just mostly doesn’t fit the way he plays, because I thought he was Aston Villa during his time. Everything centred around him. Him and McGinn were the two, everything about them, their energy levels, Douglas Luiz’s passing, everything was good in that period of time.
“He will come back into this league and he’ll become the player that he was before he left, without a shadow of a doubt.”
Featured image Michael Reaves via Getty Images
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Red Billy
Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.
