Manchester United have done a great job of developing academy players during Erik ten Hag’s time at Old Trafford.
The rise ofKobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho show the power of Manchester United’s academy – but the club cannot wholly rely on Carrington to provide a whole squad worth of talent, not overnight.
Instead, Ineos will have to dip into the transfer market, look for some hidden gems, and in some cases, buy the best players on another team.
Two standouts at Crystal Palace have both been tipped as possible Manchester United players – but they would cost a lot.
Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze tipped for Manchester United
Crystal Palace star men Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze helped to carve Manchester United’s defence apart in the recent meeting between the two teams, even if the backline did consist of Casemiro and a half-fit Jonny Evans.
The duo have thrived under new manager Oliver Glasner, and their future is becoming a talking point.
Speaking to BBC Sport’s Monday Night Club, Chris Sutton said Manchester United would be ‘bonkers’ not to try and sign the duo.
He said: “Who is not going to be, especially Olise and Eze? I think the jury may be out on Mateta just because has he done over a long enough period, but clubs will be mad if they, you talk about Manchester United wanting a lift over the summer.
“If they are not in for Olise and Eze, they are bonkers. They (Crystal Palace) are not going to be hold onto them.”
The duo were also picked out last week by Manchester United Treble winner Dwight Yorke, who told The Express he believes the pair could be two players the Red Devils could build around.
Yorke said: “I’ve identified two players who I feel are really good, the two boys at Crystal Palace, [Eberechi] Eze and [Michael Olise]. I think those two are fantastic young players.
“One plays at the No. 10, one plays on the right as an inverted winger. I think those are really exceptional players; I don’t know why people wouldn’t think that. They would really add value to Man United.”
Manchester United might need next Olise and Eze
Sutton and Yorke are spot on, Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze would be excellent additions for this Manchester United squad.
But combined, they would cost a staggering fee, with Palace keen to retain them. While Olise has a release clause, it is not cheap.
United’s budget is expected to be limited, and there are more pressing priorities at striker and central defence.
Palace signed Eze for £19.5 million in 2020 from QPR, and Olise for just £8 million from Reading in 2021.
If Manchester United are really smart, the club will find similar talents for similar fees, rather than pay the premium.
Ineos are putting the structure in place to make the clever deals like this. That’s far from ‘bonkers’, and we hope to see a few clever deals made for developing talents this summer, even if they don’t have an immediate impact.