Manchester United have been stuck in a never-ending rebuild since Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013 and have always been 2-3 ‘world class’ signings away from a title challenge. However, this season things finally may be different. Manchester United have consistently improved in the league in Solskjaer’s 2.5 years in charge and unlike previous years, there might be a willingness to spend money in this depressed market to win over the fans.
With the right additions, Manchester United could be considered as serious title challenges along with the likes of City, Chelsea and Liverpool and here are the three players they should target this summer.
1. JADON SANCHO
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Club: Borussia Dortmund
Value: £90 million
The right-wing spot has been a bone of contention for Manchester United for the past few seasons and it is clear they need some reinforcements on that flank. Dan James has struggled at United since he arrived in 2019 and while Mason Greenwood has performed well on the right over the past two seasons, it is clear that his long-term future lies at centre-forward. Manchester United have been constantly linked with Jadon Sancho for the past two summers but according to reports, the Englishman is now only one step away from joining the Red Devils.
Despite not playing regularly for Gareth Southgate’s England, Jadon Sancho is one of the most exciting prospects in world football and would instantly transform this Manchester United team. Sancho has lit up the Bundesliga in recent seasons, registering 37 goals and 41 assists for Borussia Dortmund over the past 3 seasons. Sancho adds more pace and trickery to Manchester United’s attack and a front four of Rashford-Cavani-Sancho and Fernandes would be one of the most feared attacks in all of Europe.
2. DECLAN RICE
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Club: West Ham
Value: £58.5 million
Watching Paul Pogba dazzle at Euro 2020 for France alongside a true defensive midfielder in N’Golo Kante is a worrying sight for Manchester United fans. Pogba has never been as influential for Manchester United compared to his performances with France because the team is not set up to suit his strengths. Pogba has struggled in a midfield pivot alongside Fred or McTominay and has often been wasted on the right-wing by Solskjaer in big games. Signing an elite defensive midfielder should be a priority for Manchester United this summer to help balance the team and bring out the best from their record signing.
While N’Golo Kante might not be available for Manchester United, the one player they should look at is Declan Rice. Rice has established himself as one of the top defensive midfielders in the country and has already made over 130 appearances for West Ham in the league at just 22.
Rice also adds plenty of other intangibles such as leadership and work ethic that is surprisingly uncommon in elite football nowadays and would be an immense presence in the Manchester United dressing room and a certain candidate for the captain’s armband in the years to come.
3. SVEN BOTMAN
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Club: LOSC Lille
Value: £25 million
While Manchester United have improved from an offensive point of view under Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, there is still lots of improvement needed on the defensive front. United conceded 44 goals last season in the league and the defence capitulated towards in the final few games in the absence of Harry Maguire. Solskjaer needs someone to partner Maguire at the heart of the defence and one player Manchester United should look at is Sven Botman.
Botman is another one of the standout talents produced from the fabled Ajax academy and was excellent for Lille last season, helping them pip PSG to win Ligue 1. Botman is 6’4, but is still exceedingly quick for his size and is also extremely comfortable on the ball and able to build from the back. More importantly, Botman is left-footed which allows Harry Maguire to slot back into his natural position at right centre-back which offers better overall balance to Manchester United’s build-up play.
There is optimism surrounding Old Trafford following their second-place finish in the league last season. However, with Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City all expected to spend big this summer, Manchester United must invest in the squad to help bridge that gap between being top 4 regulars and title challengers.
[Image Credit: Jadon Sancho]
Shivaan Shah