Manchester United have been warned that they may have made an error by not pursuing a move for Joao Palhinha in the summer transfer window.
The Red Devils’ early transfer activity has focused on improving their attacking output after a dismal season last time out under Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim.
Matheus Cunha arrived early in the window from Wolves, and the Brazilian has now been joined by Bryan Mbeumo, who made his debut in a 2-2 pre-season draw with Everton on Sunday.
United are still seeking further additions to their squad before the deadline, with Amorim reportedly keen to add more dynamism to their midfield options.
And former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol believes United may have missed a trick by not exploring a move for former Fulham midfielder Palhinha, who has now joined Tottenham on a season-long loan.
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Spurs have the option to make the move permanent for €30million (£26m) next summer, but Nicol is surprised that Thomas Frank’s side did not face more competition from United for Palhinha’s signature.
‘Why wouldn’t they have gone for somebody like Palhinha?’ Nicol told ESPN.
‘[He is someone] who they probably would have got, who was great at Fulham, who you know what you are going to get and who would not have broken the bank. Why wouldn’t they have gone for somebody like that?’
Asked about concerns over Palhinha’s on-the-ball capabilities, Nicol added: ‘The problem Man United have is they can’t get the ball, so you have to take one step at a time.
‘You need a guy who is going to win it and then give it and do it consistently, and particularly, he’s got to stop the opposition getting at you.
‘Those are the biggest problems. I agree, he’s not exactly ‘Fancy Dan’ on the ball, but they need to just try and win some games by hook or by crook and just get somebody in the middle of the park who can actually stop the opposition getting at the back four.’
Elsewhere, United have prioritised signing a striker after the misfiring campaigns of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee.
Benjamin Sesko emerged as United’s number-one target after Arsenal cooled their interest in the RB Leipzig striker, but Newcastle United now appear to be closing in on a deal, having submitted a second official bid for the 22-year-old.
The bid, worth €80m (£69.7m) plus €10m (£8.7m), reportedly meets Leipzig’s valuation for the forward, although a final decision is yet to be made by the player or the club.
United have not lodged an official bid for Sesko, and could now turn their focus to Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins who could be available for between £40-50m.
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