Manchester United’s plans to sign a Premier League star in January have been scuppered, with the player sidelined with injury for the following few months.
The Red Devils might be within the top-four at Christmas in the event that they beat Aston Villa on Sunday and are hopeful of adding to their squad next month to spice up their probabilities of qualifying for the Champions League.
On Ruben Amorim’s shopping list is a brand new defensive midfielder who can can in time replace the aging Casemiro, with Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo not in favour.
Various high-profile names have been linked with Old Trafford, most notably Carlos Baleba, but Brighton’s £100million asking price signifies that transfer is off for now.
Cheaper alternatives have emerged up to now week, including former Wolves captain Ruben Neves and Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams.
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Reports claimed that United are big admirers of the latter and were plotting a January move for 26-year-old who has been having fun with a effective season on the south coast.
Nonetheless, Adams hobbled off the pitch just five minutes into the match between United and Bournemouth last Monday that ended 4-4.
And the transfer plans are actually on hold, because it has been confirmed that the American has torn his MCL and now faces a lengthy period on the sidelines.
‘Tyler is injured and has torn his MCL, so he will certainly be out for a while,’ Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola said in his press conference ahead of Saturday’s match against Burnley.
‘From our previous experience with MCL injuries, it is generally around two or three months. In case you are optimistic, it’s going to be two. In case you are pessimistic, it’s going to be three. Something in between, probably.
‘It’s an enormous blow because he’s a very important player for us. Immediately, if you see the mechanism of the injury and the motion itself, we felt it might be something serious.
‘Tyler may be very precious for us and really unique in what he does. We do have options – Alex [Scott] has been playing there and Lewis Cook is in his natural position there – however it’s true that Tyler is difficult to exchange.’
Adams is valued at around £40m and notably scored a goal of the season contender in November, finding the back of the web from the halfway line against Sunderland.
His absence will hurt Iraola’s side and is a significant blow to the USA within the run as much as their co-hosting next summer’s World Cup.
It stays to be seen how this injury will affect each United and Bournemouth within the transfer window, with the Red Devils also seriously considering a move for Cherries winger Antoine Semenyo.
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