Former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has praised the club’s summer transfer business but insists further reinforcements are needed in midfield.
Speaking on the first episode of his new BBC Sport podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show, the ex-England forward assessed a busy window that has seen United completely refresh their attack.
The Red Devils have had a busy summer, signing Matheus Cunha from Wolves for £62.5m, Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford for around £71m, and Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig for £73.7m
The club have also brought in young left-back Diego Leon from Cerro Porteno for a fee in the region of £7m.
The Red Devils are preparing for their first full season under Ruben Amorim, whose tenure got off to a rocky start as United finished 15th in the Premier League last season, their worst-ever top-flight finish.
But Rooney believes that the summer signings can play a big role in helping United find success higher up the table this season.
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What did Rooney say?
Rooney is particularly excited about Sesko, who scored 39 goals in 87 appearances for Leipzig - 27 of them in the Bundesliga - and is currently the top-scoring under 23 player in Europe’s top five leagues.
“I really like Sesko,” he said on Thursday (August 14).
“I think he will be top. He has all the attributes, he is big, he can head the ball, he is strong, he is quick and uses both feet.
“But going to Manchester United is different to going anywhere and there is a big pressure.”
This window has seen a much-needed attacking overhaul take place at Old Trafford, but Rooney believes a midfielder still needs to be signed to provide balance to the squad, with reports strongly linking them to Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba.
“They had to change the attack,” Rooney added. “The attacking players looked like they had lost a lot of confidence, and some looked like they didn't want to be there.
“Fair play to Ruben Amorim because he has dealt with that and he is trying to move all those players on.
“The attacking players they have brought in will make a big difference, but I'd still like to see a holding midfield player. That is where hopefully, towards the end of the window, they improve that.
“Baleba is an incredible player. He is physically very strong, he is good on the ball.
“Manchester United just need someone in who will help break up the play and let those attacking players go and win them games.”
United have held a long-standing interest in Baleba, but Brighton are reportedly looking for a fee of over £100m to part ways with the Cameroon international.
The Red Devils will likely not shell out that amount after their heavy spending earlier in the window, with suggestions from ESPN indicating that they might pivot to Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton if a deal for Baleba is not feasible.
United host Arsenal in their Premier League opener on Sunday (August 17).
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