Manchester United’s pulling power remains, despite a decade of underachievement, relatively unmatched.
Newcastle found that out the hard way recently, Dan Ashworth jumping at the chance to swap an ambitious Saudi-backed Magpies outfit to become a frontline figure in Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s Ineos-driven rebuilding project.
While not yet officially confirmed, Ashworth’s arrival seems to be a case of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’.
In the transfer market, Manchester United continue to operate from a position of strength. Andre Onana left Champions League finalists Inter Milan for the Red Devils,while Rasmus Hojlund chose his beloved United over French giants Paris Saint-Germain.
Sofyan Amrabat only wanted Old Trafford too, despite interest from other top-flight clubs.
If reports are to be believed, meanwhile, Thomas Tuchel is desperate for the Man United job, one of the most highly-rated tacticians in the modern game seemingly willing to walk away from Bayern Munich in favour of a club who have just finished in a Premier League-worst eighth spot.
Manchester United the dream for Paul Valere Bassene
Paul Valere Bassene’s own Manchester United dream feels, at the moment, rather more unlikely to become reality.
The Senegalese forward currently plays in Morocco for RS Berkane at the age of 23, although a tally of four goals in six CAF Confederation Cup games means he could yet catch the eye of clubs in the European game.
Bassene, speaking to Senegal-based publication Wiw Sport, is not afraid to open up on his Red Devils ambitions, however, even if his current focus is on doing the best he possibly can for his current employers.
“RS Berkane represents a real benchmark. It is one of the best African clubs,” Bassene begins. “The Moroccan championship presents a high level. I have played 13 matches and scored five goals so far because I was injured.
“If offers are available, it is likely that I will change clubs. First of all, we will strive to finish in third place in the championship and win the CAF Cup. I also want to add more goals in my career.
“Manchester United is the European club I want to play for in the future.”
Manchester United considering different option
Bassene, who can play through the middle or wide on the right, joined RS Berkane from fellow Moroccan side Mouloudia in 2023.
Manchester United are in the market for a right-sided forward this summer, albeit in pursuit of one far further along in his development than the Bassene.
There have been links with Club Brugge’s Antonio Nusa and PSV Eindhoven flyer Johan Bakayoko, though the number one target to potentially take the place of the perennially underwhelming Antony appears to be Crystal Palace star Michael Olise.
Olise, reportedly a massive Man United fan and protected by a release clause below the £60 million mark, provided six assists and ten (largely spectacular) goals in just 14 Premier League starts in 2003/24.
“I’m sure that the player would be really keen on joining Manchester United,” Fabrizio Romano now tells The United Stand. “That’s 100 per cent guaranteed.
“But (Man United) won’t be the only club.”