Manchester United’s focus on Eduardo Camavinga underlines Solskjaer’s overall transfer strategy

Manchester United’s next transfer focus appears to be Stade Rennais’ young midfielder Eduardo Camavinga. According to multiple reports, United are set on Camavinga regardless of what happens with Paul Pogba, and have been in talks with his agent and the club since the completion of negotiations with Borussia Dortmund over Jadon Sancho.

According to Fabrizio Romano it is 100% guaranteed that he will not extend his contract with Stade Rennais, and multiple reports suggest that Manchester United have taken the initiative to secure his services ahead of Paris Saint-Germain. Camavinga is still a teenager, but his prowess as a deep-lying playmaker and defensive screen in midfield makes him an attractive option to come in and make an immediate impact.

Scott McTominay and Fred may not be unseated immediately at the start of next season, but the reliance on their partnership was grounded in the necessity of finding defensive stability after a rough start to last season. It highlighted the need for a true defensive midfielder that could do the defensive work of McFred while also possessing the ability to spring counter attacks, break defensive lines with passing, and recover possession quickly and proactively. Addressing this need now would fix an immediate positional need, something which the club have been good at since Solskjaer took over.

The move for Camavinga also further accentuates the value Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has placed in recruiting young talent. In addition to reinvigorating the academy’s active recruitment, moves for Jadon Sancho, Donny Van De Beek, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka show Ole’s intention to reestablish Manchester United as a club capable of both building and competing. Sir Alex Ferguson’s best teams were teams coming out of transition, built on young talent and established veterans and stars.

Ole may yet have some work to do before his side is comparable to any of Ferguson’s, but his recruitment has brought in a mix of young talent, useful rotational pieces and veterans, and even superstar power better than any manager post-Sir Alex. Having an overall philosophy of teambuilding as well as recruitment structure has given him a platform that will leave this club much better off for the next manager, regardless of whether that happens sooner or later. Manchester United are no longer wasting money on signings to try and win now. They’ve embraced the building process and it is starting to work out.