Manchester United have already signed Eric Bailly from Villarreal this transfer window, and are now keen to sign Julien Draxler having put in an alleged £38.5 million bid for the Germany star yesterday.
If the move goes through, that would take United’s summer spending so far up to nearly £70 million – with Bailly having cost an hefty £30 million – but there is plenty more to come.
United have also improved their rejected bid of £19 million for Dortmund and Armenia winger Henrik Mkhitaryan, tabling a much improved figure of £28 million in an attempt to lure the 27-year-old away from the Bundesliga giants.
Add in the proposed move of mercurial Swede Zlatan Ibrahimovic following Euro 2016, and the Red Devil’s may have in their possession some Europe’s elite talent, looking a complete different outfit from the mis-matched squad of the previous campaign.
If new manager manager Jose Mourinho plays his cards right in the transfer window, here is what his United side could line up like on the opening day as they play away at Bournemouth. Our United fans at the Tavern are drooling ….
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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE POTENTIAL 4-2-3-1 MAN UTD LINE-UP FOR THE FIRST GAME!
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GK – David De Gea
De Gea is a man who just cannot avoid controversy, and it has been no different recently.
His alleged ‘sex scandal’ – which United have failed to comment on – have been followed by some poor showings at Euro 2016, leaving the Spanish goalkeeper under heavy criticism.
Still world class however and without a doubt the best the Premier League has to offer.
RB – Matteo Darmian
It was a disappointing first season for Darmian, flattering only to deceive with some good early form and a mid season dip.
The former Torino man has had an excellent Euro 2016 with Italy and Antonio Conte and his performances could be the confidence boost he needs to re-find his Old Trafford form.
CB – Chris Smalling
Once the object of ridicule at Old Trafford, Smalling has gone on to prove the doubters wrong and has cemented himself as United and England’s first choice centre back, as well as one of the best in the Premier League.
Smalling has finally developed the composure to match his physicality, a class act.
CB – Eric Bailly
£30 million is an expensive old fee to pay for a man who has made only 14 international appearances for the Ivory Coast and is only 22 years of age.
Having impressed at Villarreal last campaign however, the tall, fast and aggressive centre half turned many a head – with his highlights including a phenomenal display against Champions League winners Real Madrid.
LB – Marcos Rojo
Another defender at United who has yet to reproduce the kind of form he has done for both formers clubs and his country, Rojo still has plenty of room to improve at Old Trafford.
A solid Copa America in which Argentina recently reached the final should see him return with moral high.
CDM – Daley Blind
Blind did a terrific job at centre-half last campaign and was a key factor in United’s excellent defensive record throughout the season.
The Dutchman is naturally a holding midfielder with his excellent range of passing and Ajax-esque elegance however, and could move forward thanks to the signing of Bailly.
CDM – Wayne Rooney
Utilised by both United and now England in a deep lying midfield role rather than behind the strikers, Rooney has not disappointed, with many people’s only criticism being that he should have done it earlier.
LM – Anthony Martial
Last season’s Player of the Year for United by a country mile, Martial more than lived up to the reputation he set before him following his whopping £36 million transfer from AS Monaco last summer.
He finished the Red Devil’s top scorer, and frequently tormented Premier League defences with his devastating pace and tight ball control. Easy to forget he is only just 20.
CAM – Marek Hamsik
One of the stand-out performers of Euro 2016 so far, Slovakia and life-long Napoli servant Hamsik has been dazzling, fully grasping his opportunity to flaunt his stuff amongst Europe’s elite.
Obviously there was THAT goal, but his all round displays have been terrific, showing the kind of skill and passing that has seen him guide Napoli to success over recent years.
RM – Henrik Mkhitaryan
Allegedly his ‘dream club’ – according to his agent anyway – Mkhitaryan’s move to United seems to be edging closer and closer by the day.
21 goals and 20 assists in all competitions last season was a terrific return from a player described as ‘one of the most talented in the world’ by former manager Jurgen Klopp.
ST – Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Ibra just keeps on teasing us about his summer transfer plans, but a move to United seems almost inevitable, now more so than ever following the Swede announcing his retirement from international football.
Retirement means no place at the Olympics for Zlatan which leaves his calendar free to the Community Shield in August….
