Manchester United are in the market for reinforcements in numerous different positions this summer.
Fortunately, options are not in short supply. The centre-half pool has seldom been deeper than it is in 2024. Manchester United could fail to reach an agreement with Everton over top target Jarrad Branthwaite but could turn their focus to Leny Yoro, Jean-Clair Todibo, Marc Guehi, Antonio Silva or Goncalo Inacio.
The Casemiro replacements available to the Red Devils, meanwhile, include Amadou Onana, Morten Hjulmand and Joao Neves, to name but three.
There’s plenty of left-backs and centre-forwards on Man United’s radar too. Plenty of value to be found in the market if you have the nous and the desire to discover it.
And while Man United’s pursuit of Michael Olise – reportedly Ineos’ leading target for the right-wing spot – is under sustained threat from Chelsea, losing out on a man admittedly obscenely talented and Premier League proven is not necessarily a disaster.
Not with the likes of Desire Doue also under consideration.
Manchester United eye £35m Desire Doue of Rennes
French publication Sport Zone wrote in May that Man United were one of a number of clubs in contact for the Rennes youngster, alongside Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and German champions Bayer Leverkusen.
Doue, at 19, is not quite as far along in his development as Olise and feels less like a sure thing. What he lacks in experience, however, he could make up for in versatility and affordability. While Crystal Palace’s number seven plays solely on the right, Doue is equally comfortable on either flank as well as through the middle as a number ten. He dazzled off the left against AC Milan in the Europa League last season.
At a reported £35 million, meanwhile, the twinkle-toed teenager could be snapped up for around half the release clause in Olise’s Palace’s contract.
Olivier Cloarec, Rennes’ president, broke his silence in conversation with Ouest France this week. The continued interest in Doue, he says, is no surprise, while refusing to rule out a summer departure.
“We know that, since he was young, he has been followed by the biggest European clubs,” Cloarec admits. “That won’t change this summer.
“And we will see depending on the offers (whether he stays or goes). I’m not talking about numbers.”
“(But) it is not our desire to change the entire team.”
Mason Greeenwood in Juventus talks
Man United will likely have to move on one of their existing widemen before going all in on Doue or Olise, with Ineos open to offers for Antony and Jadon Sancho.
The good news is that Mason Greenwood is potentially just weeks away from bringing an end to his Old Trafford career. Gianluca di Marzio reports that the England international has agreed on a move to Juventus, the Italian giants hoping to get a deal done for an initial £25 million.
“I am delighted with his development,” Rennes coach Julien Stephan tells Made in Foot of Doue. “Because, when he arrived (in the first-team), it was a crucial period in observing his behavior.
“I saw someone disappointed (with his lack of game time). Frustrated, but entirely committed to his profession. Afterwards, by being more focused, by being efficient and by showing a lot of personality in high-stakes matches, he showed his qualities, his versatility.
“And that’s a strength. So he has a very positive evolution. Sometimes, there are small relapses and it’s inevitable at that age. But overall, his progression curve is constant, in the right way.
“He knows where he wants to go and gives himself the means (to get there).”