Former Liverpool and Manchester United star Paul Ince has suggested that both clubs need to bring in multiple signings to plug the gaps in their squads over the next few months.
Liverpool have endured a disappointing season so far, and they are unlikely to be in the conversation for the title race. On the other hand, Manchester United are pushing for a place in European football next season. Paul Ince has commented on how they can turn things around now.
Both clubs spent a substantial amount of money during the summer transfer window, but the performances on the pitch have not been up to the desired levels. The two struggling bigwigs will need to improve, and they need quality players at their disposal.
Ince feels that Liverpool will need to invest in a quality right-back to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold and that they will need a central defender as well. Liverpool signed Jeremie Frimpong at the start of the season, but the Dutchman has struggled with injury problems. The Reds came very close to signing Marc Guehi in the summer, and it remains to be seen whether they can sign him in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Paul Ince has also suggested that Liverpool will need to invest in a quality wide player. Mohamed Salah has not been at his best this season, and Liverpool have not been able to replace Luis Diaz. They have been linked with Antoine Semenyo. It will be interesting to see who they end up with.
“Liverpool definitely need a centre-back and a right-back,” Ince said via TEAMtalk.
“While Conor Bradley has played there [at right-back] and Dominik Szoboszlai has covered there a few times, he’s not a full-back. I like Bradley, and he’s going to be a very good player, but he’s still learning his trade.
“Liverpool could also strengthen on the flanks – losing both Luis Diaz and Trent Alexander-Arnold in the summer was massive. Hopefully they can keep [Mohamed] Salah and Cody Gakpo, but playing Hugo Ekitike on the left-hand side isn’t a solution; he’s not a winger!”
Ince on Manchester United’s needs
Similarly, Paul Ince feels that Manchester United need around five players to plug the gaps in their squad. He has suggested that they need to invest in a couple of quality central midfielders who can dominate the game from the middle of the park.
Ince has also urged them to add two wing-backs so that Ruben Amorim has specialist options at their disposal. The Portuguese tacticians prefers a formation with wing-backs, but he does not have specialist players at his disposal.
“For Manchester United, where do I start? They need two central midfield players. I’m also not sure about Benjamin Sesko as a striker, it’s maybe too early to tell. Joshua Zirkzee needs a move, that’s for sure.
“Ruben Amorim is very passionate about his 3-5-2 formation, but he desperately needs proper wing-backs. Currently, Amad Diallo is a winger playing as wing-back, so he doesn’t really know that role.”
Finally, he believes that Manchester United might need to invest in another reliable striker.