Midfielders Manchester United should target in summer transfer window

Rumours are that the Red Devils manager will be provided a handful of cash for the up-coming season

KARACHI: Manchester United are in desperate attire to target reinforcements in the summer transfer market in order to match the heights of arch-rivals Liverpool and noisy-neighbours Manchester City.

Jurgen Klopp’s side is the team to beat and his world-class signings should be the way Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and the club should follow if they really believe the Red Devils can somehow catch up to the best team in the world right now. Pep Guardiola’s future is unsure due to the ban Manchester City have received from UEFA but his signings have been top-class according to the style of play he prefers that makes the Spaniard the best manager in the world.

Despite Solskjaer being young and learning in his managerial career, the Norwegian’s choice of signings has made a great deal of impact so far this term. Harry Maguire may have not reached to fulfill the price-tag paid for him yet and even Daniel James has lost his pace after the first three games of the season. Meanwhile, the likes of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Bruno Fernandes have absolutely stepped up their game in the Red Devils’ shirt. Odion Ighalo has been a shock signing in the January window but the 30-year-old is not likely to start in the beginning of the next season as his loan move expires this term.

Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward recently revealed that 111 players were linked to United in the January window but just one world-class player was out there that turned out to be an instant impact at Old Trafford – Bruno Fernandes — who already has a goal and a couple of assists in his three Premier League starts and has won the man of the match award in all three fixtures so far.

However, rumours are that the United manager will be provided a handful of cash for the summer window – should he remain at the hot seat of the Old Trafford with Mauricio Pochettino suggesting he would love to come back to England – the choices of getting the right player should be a decisive one given the long-term project that the Red Devils are planning to follow.

The Champions League qualification plays a major role in attracting big players to the Theatre of Dreams and plus, the fifth spot can become a beneficial aspect for the Red Devils but it’s tough to call such a prediction due to their ups-and-downs when it comes to getting consistent results.

These are the following players that Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer and Ed Woodwork should sit and analyse, which possibly will make them potential contenders for next season’s title-race.

Jadon Sancho

PHOTO: AFP

The young sensation has the world under his feet, and has been the talk of the town since the past two seasons. English winger’s numbers speak for themselves: 13 goals and 19 assists last season at the age of 18 and he has already surpassed these stats with 16 goals and by providing 18 times in all competition with the season not even over yet.

The 19-year-old is tipped to be on a move away from Dortmund in the summer with the likes of Chelsea, Real Madrid and Juventus monitoring him but a return to the Premier League is what attracts the winger at the moment. He has many years ahead of him and has all the potential to make a game-changing impact at the Old Trafford but he won’t come cheap, with a price-tag already circulating to be around €120 million, according to Transfermarkt. However, Sancho will defiantly bring contribution to goals that United are facing trouble in finding and can exceptionally improve a squad.

United will be making a statement of signing a world-class teenager with all the qualities of a player on the road to become the best at every attribute.

Jack Grealish

PHOTO: AFP

Manchester United have identified Aston Villa’s captain Jack Grealish as a summer target. His price-tag can eventually rise than his current market value if he features for England in Euro 2020 which is why signing him before the tournament will not be a bad call to make in terms of finances.

Grealish has been the surprise package this term with seven goals and assists for Villa and their main star player. The playmaker is become a master in creating chances from the middle of the park, making key passes in the final third which United highly lack right now. He’s really not a bad option for the Red Devils for sure.

James Maddison

PHOTO: AFP

Leicester’s Maddison has been Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s target since last summer and the January window but Brendon Rodger’s influence did make an impact for the midfielder to finish the remainder of the season with the Foxes. Similar attributes as Jack Grealish but the English midfielder has a clever feet with a vision that can open up gaps in opposition’s defences and his contribution to goal is key. The midfielder already has six goals to his name with five assists so far this season.

Declan Rice

PHOTO: AFP

Despite David Moyes is backing Declan Rice to wear West Ham’s captaincy arm-band in the future, but Manchester United have the ability to trigger the young English player’s attention. Former Republic of Ireland international has impressed in a defensive midfield role for the Hammers this season, and even received a call-up to the England squad recently. The 21-year-old is one of a number of players on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's summer transfer wishlist for sure.

Sander Berge

PHOTO: AFP

Genk midfielder Sander Berge was reportedly being monitored by United back in October last year, as Nemanja Matic was adamant of leaving in January which didn’t really happen but Berge provides maturity and composure in the middle of the park. His energy and incredible positioning are his main attributes that pushes him to get the ball back and allow his teammates to play forward.

21-year-old also has an impressive ability of dribbling where he enjoys picking the ball and making a sprint to disrupt the opposition defenders to allow his forward attackers to move into the vacant spaces. His strong mentality and positive approach moving ahead when necessary and staying back to intercept a counter is what makes him an ideal signing for United. Plus, a £30 million value is not a risky call to make and plus, there is a Norwegian connection of the player and Solsjkaer which can help the deal go smoothly too.

Arne Maier

PHOTO: AFP

Hertha BSC midfielder Arne Maier has been called as the ‘next Kroos’ since he has started to make a statement during his youth times with the club and is the brightest young talents in the Bundesliga. His incredible capabilities to read the game and finding space between the opposition lines, as well as playing through balls and managing the match from his central or defensive midfield position are priceless. The 21-year-old’s pass completion rate is what makes him known as the ‘next Kroos’ and he prefers to play it simple, moving the ball forward with composure.

Manager Jürgen Klinsmann is already aiming to hit for players such as Granit Xhaka and Julian Draxler in the summer market which gives the young player all the reason to make a move away from the club. His current value of €20 million according to Transfermarkt, makes him an ideal candidate and depth that has been a major issue for Solskjaer which the German can fulfill.

Dominik Szoboszlai


PHOTO: AFP

RB Salzburg player Szoboszlai has become an integral part of his side after Erling Haaland’s exit to Dortmund and plays on the left-wing most of the times but is a player who can go to the right hand side of the wing and the middle of the park. The 19-year-old is another star in the making has contributed to goal five times in 15 appearances so far, can be a useful player coming from the bench for the Red Devils.