As one of the biggest clubs in world football, Manchester United have always been an attractive destination for players – and that allure has increased greatly over the past few months.
The team’s fortunes have been transformed since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho in the dugout and a finish in the top four this season is a real possibility.
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Solskjaer has improved United markedly
Solskjaer has not been given the full-time job yet, but given the Norwegian has done so well it’s surely a matter of time before he becomes manager on a permanent basis.
United fans should therefore feel optimistic during the summer, especially with some of the top names in world football linked with moves to Old Trafford.
The latest reports claim the Red Devils have entered the race to sign Chelsea’s wonderkid winger Callum Hudson-Odoi, who is also wanted by Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund
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United reportedly hope to win the race for Chelsea starlet Hudson-Odoi
They are reportedly also ‘front runners’ to sign Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann and have also been linked with fellow Frenchman Adrien Rabiot.
Former Manchester City winger Jadon Sancho is also rumoured to be on United’s radar as the England international’s stock continues to rise following his spectacular 2018/19 campaign with Borussia Dortmund.
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However, there are potential departures too with Paul Pogba claiming playing for Real Madrid under their reappointed manager Zinedine Zidane would be a ‘dream’.
The Daily Star further claim Alexis Sanchez, Marcos Rojo and Antonio Valenica could leave in the summer, meaning the upcoming transfer window is sure to be a busy one.
talkSPORT.com have gone through all these transfer reports and have attempted to build a Man United line-up featuring these targeted superstars.
You can see the potential Manchester United XI, below…
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United as a club were suffering from an identity crisis under Mourinho, with the Portuguese’s sometimes ultra-defensive tactics conflicting with the attacking football they played during the glory days under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Solskjaer, who played under Ferguson between 1996-2007, has restored some of that positivity and there is a feeling among United fans that they’ve got their club back.
Goalkeeper
If the club are to become title contenders again, they have to keep hold of David de Gea, whose deal was set to expires in June.
However, United activated a one-year extension on the Spaniard’s contract meaning he is likely to stay for another season.
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De Gea is one of the world’s best goalkeepers
And United will be hoping they will have progressed enough during that time to convince him to extend his time at Old Trafford.
Defence
They’ll also have to improve in defence and ideally get a world class centre-back in.
Enter Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane, who is reportedly considering his future at the Bernabeu and United are one of the few clubs who could afford the player and his wages.
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Varane won the World Cup with France last summer
He may only be 25 but his ability is so great that his effect on the defence could be similar to the effect Virgil van Dijk has had at Liverpool.
Varane could be partnered in the back line by Kalidou Kouliably, the Napoli star, who is widely considered one of the best centre-backs in world football.
The Mail claim United could pay £130million to sign Koulibaly this summer, as Solskjaer looks to create one of the best defensive units in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof are suitable backup options, while Luke Shaw and Ashley Young remain capable of playing at left-back and right-back respectively.
Midfield
United fans won’t want to hear it, but they may have to prepare for life without Pogba as the Frenchman appears keen for a move to Madrid at some point in his career.
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Pogba may well have his sights on Spain
It’s not clear when this will happen but if Pogba departs soon then United will have to change things up in midfield promptly.
And according to Calcio Mercato, Rabiot’s proposed move to Barcelona is looking doubtful due to his wage demands, putting United on red alert.
Should Rabiot come to England, he could play alongside Nemanja Matic in midfield, with the Frenchman having some licence to get forward.
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Attack
It’s in the final third where the magic could really be happening, with Griezmann, Hudson-Odoi and Sancho potentially joining an attack that already includes Marcus Rashford and Romelu Lukaku.
As already stated, United are ‘front runners’ to sign Griezmann and he would play in the no.10 role, with aforementioned targets Hudson-Odoi and Sancho flanking the France superstar.
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Griezmann is wanted by a number of clubs
The Evening Standard says United are free to pursue Sancho as there was no ‘United clause’ when he left Manchester City in 2017.
United are one of the few clubs who could afford his £100million price tag and to have an England player of his quality among their ranks could be something the club’s top brass consider greatly.
Him and Hudson-Odoi are both capable of playing on either flank, though it’s likely Sancho would feature on the right with Hudson-Odoi on the left, with Anthony Martial used in rotation with the targeted pair.
Lukaku and Rashford are then both able to lead the line, with Solskjaer able to choose who he prefers based on United’s opposition.
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