Kylian Mbappe Signing Wouldn’t Fix Manchester United’s Biggest Problem

Kylian Mbappe has a big decision to make on his future at the end of the season. The French forward’s contract at Paris Saint-Germain will expire next summer and there will be no shortage of clubs ready to table an offer to sign one of the best players of the current generation. Manchester United could be among them.

Recent reports claim Manchester United have plans to sign Mbappe with fresh investment in the Old Trafford club from Sir Jim Ratcliffe set to boost finances and ambition. Erik ten Hag’s team have struggled for attacking firepower this season and Mbappe would certainly help in that regard.

Manchester United’s Dutch manager Erik ten Hag (R) consoles Manchester United’s Brazilian midfielder … [+]

While Mbappe would certainly strengthen Manchester United, he wouldn’t fix their biggest issue. The club has spent a lot of money on attacking talent in recent times – see Rasmus Hojlund, Antony and Jadon Sancho – but ten Hag’s midfield simply isn’t strong enough to support this forward line.

Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat arrived at Old Trafford in the summer transfer window, but ten Hag has so far lacked a plan to integrate both players into his starting lineup. Mount, in particular, has struggled to make a positive impression for Manchester United with the England international already a peripheral figure for his new team.

Bruno Fernandes remains one of Manchester United’s most consistent performers in the attacking third, but the Portuguese international has been questioned for his leadership skills this season. Christian Eriksen gives ten Hag guile and composure, but is now entering the twilight of his career and can’t be counted on to play two matches in a week – as Manchester United require.

Casemiro made an instant impact upon signing from Real Madrid last season, giving ten Hag some much-needed steel and structure in the centre of the pitch. This season, though, the Brazilian has been off the pace and is struggling to keep up with the speed of the PremierPINC +0.7% League. He might be finished at the elite level.

Many expected ten Hag would make Manchester United a more possession-orientated team when he joined from Ajax in the summer of 2022, but the midfield he has forged during his time in charge to date has made this impossible. Manchester United continue to play on the counter-attack in most matches because they are incapable of controlling the ball high up the pitch.

Of course, Mbappe’s speed would give ten Hag’s team another threat on the break, but the Frenchman’s signing would be an admission that Manchester United can’t play the type of soccer they want to play. There are other areas of the squad they must address before looking to land a marquee attacker like Mbappe.