The departure of Sir Alex Ferguson as the manager of Manchester United back in 2013 signaled the end of an era of dominance at Old Trafford. The very fact that the Red Devils have failed to win even a single Premier League title since then shows the charisma that the Scotsman had which the club has missed since his departure. The English giants have spent millions on players but the results have been far from satisfactory.
Manchester United’s current man at the helm – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is one who got the opportunity to learn from the legend himself and carries the hopes of a million fans around the world on his shoulders.
The season though didn’t start on a very positive note for the Manchester giants, with the dreams of winning their 21st league title no more a possibility. However, sneaking into the top four remains a strong possibility with just three points separating the fifth-placed Red Devils from Chelsea, who currently occupy the fourth and final Champions League qualification spot.
Manchester United seems to have witnessed a change in fortunes since the arrival of Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes, who signed from Sporting Lisbon towards the end of the January transfer window. The new signing has been pivotal in helping Manchester United build an unbeaten streak that had stayed intact before proceedings were brought to a halt in early March due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
However, Manchester United’s spending on players certainly wouldn’t end with Fernandes, in spite of Ed Woodward claiming otherwise. With Champions League football hopefully coming back to Old Trafford next season, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will want to bring in a few players to add to the depth of his squad.
So, here is a list of three realistic signings Manchester United can make when the transfer window opens later this year.
#1 Jadon Sancho
The Borussia Dortmund star has been heavily linked with a move away from Germany in the summer, with Premier League looking like his most preferred destination. Earlier in October the club’s sporting director Michael Zorc had said:
“You don’t have to be a prophet to know he won’t play here for another five years.”
Michael Zorc
Although both Chelsea and Manchester United have been linked with a move for the 20-year-old, the Red Devils are believed to be leading the race. The deal though is not going to come cheap. The German giants will look for a bid in the region of £100 million to sanction the sale.
Since joining Dortmund from Manchester City in 2017, Jadon Sancho has managed 90 appearances for BVB, scoring 31 goals and setting up 42 more.
However, given the current financial uncertainties, it will be interesting to see whether Woodward and his entourage spend such amount of money on a single player.
#2 Jack Grealish
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is believed to be keen on adding more creativity to his midfield next season and the Aston Villa man is believed to fit the bill. The arrival of Bruno Fernandes in January created some confusion as to where the manager would fit Jack Grealish but reports now suggest that the manager is planning to use the former England Under-21 international as a winger next season.
The 24-year-old has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dismal Aston Villa team this season, contributing with both goals and assists. In the 31 appearances he has managed for the Villans in all competitions so far this season, he has scored nine goals and provided eight assists.
If Aston Villa go down this season, the repercussions are going to be felt. The resultant exodus might make it easier for Manchester United to strike a deal for a reasonable price. Jack Grealish’s present contract with his club runs until June 2023.
#3 Saul Niguez
Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez is the latest player to be linked with a move to Old Trafford as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks for a replacement for an unsettled Paul Pogba. The Frenchman is almost certain to be on his way out and though the Red Devils have brought in Bruno Fernandes as one who could fill the void, there could be space for another player in a two-man midfield.
At the age of 31, Nemanja Matic is almost past his prime and though Scott McTominay has earned a place for himself in the team, the former Molde manager needs another player as a cover.
Saul Niguez has a £135 million buyout clause in his present contract with the Atletico Madrid, and Manchester United know that they will have to dig deep into their pockets to get a deal over the line.
The Spaniard is one of Atletico’s longest-serving players, having been promoted from their B team back in 2012. He has since managed 286 appearances for the club, scoring 38 goals and setting up 18 more.
However, all the transfer dealings this summer will depend on how much money the clubs have in their kitty. A reduction of the television money will hamper the plans and, therefore, a final prediction can hardly be made. The world is witnessing an unprecedented scenario at present and only time will tell what happens when the transfer window actually opens.
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