With our Manchester United supporting punters in the bar enjoying curry night and debating what changes will be made this summer, our landlord decided to pose them an interesting question.
Reports currently state that both Jose Mourinho and Renato Sanches are in talks with the Red Devils, to become manager and potential new star player respectively, ahead of what will be a busy period for Manchester United at the end of the season.
Louis Van Gaal and his under-performing squad could find themselves beneath the axe come the close of the current campaign, with heads likely to roll after what can only be described as another disappointing season following Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement three years ago.
Fortunately, the club’s finances and standing in world football remain strong and this should allow them to capture the necessary additions to kick on, ensuring that they can become a dominant force in domestic football and on the continent.
We asked the lads ordering some shots who they believe could follow Mourinho and Sanches to Old Trafford, which gave us some interesting responses.
Hit Mourinho below to see FIVE players that could follow him and Sanches to Old Trafford!
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Antoine Griezmann
Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann is one of the most highly-rated young strikers in world football, with the 24-year-old having a quality record of 20 goals in 34 appearances this season. With those efforts raising his profile, United are lurking.
Griezmann has helped Atletico fight for the La Liga title once again but the decline of the Madrid side seems almost inevitable, particularly if Diego Simeone is lured away from his position. As such, the big names could follow and French international Griezmann is reportedly eying a Premier League switch.
United’s downfall could be the lack of Champions League football, as the Red Devils find the odds stacked against them in the race for a top-four finish.
Neymar
Barcelona superstar Neymar continues to be linked with a move to Old Trafford, despite his audacious price-tag, and the financial difficulties of the Catalan side could prove decisive. Simply put, they cannot afford to keep the Brazilian alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
Whilst Barcelona won’t want to offload the forward, who was a Ballon D’Or finalist last year and will only continue to improve, they do seem likely to offload one of their forward’s. United will try their luck for Neymar, although the lack of Champions League football and rival interest from Manchester City could cause problems.
Sadio Mane
The Southampton star has seemed likely to move to Old Trafford throughout this season, with the 23-year-old making it abundantly clear he wants to step-up to a bigger football club. United have the finances to snatch him and the lure to persuade the Senegalese international to move.
It won’t go down well with the Saints, who have lost numerous key players over the past few years, which means United will have to pay a heavy price. Despite that, United are the favourites to land Mane and, unlike other targets, the lack of Champions League football next season may not be a deal-breaker.
Harry Kane
United pride themselves in boasting the best of English talent, so seeing Totteham Hotspur enjoy so much success will be painful. Harry Kane is the star of the North London side but the Red Devils hope he can be persuaded to move to the North West.
Spurs may not have the finances to compete with what United can offer but they seem set to beat the Red Devils to a top-four finish. With Champions League football on the offering at White Hart Lane, Kane may not seek an exit.
However, United will only return to the top so Kane will remain a long-term target.
Mahmoud Dahoud
A relatively new name on the back pages to be linked with Manchester United, the Red Devils will fight cross-city neighbours Manchester City for the signature of German starlet Mahmoud Dahoud. The Borussia Monchengladbach ace is the latest emerging star in the Bundesliga but German football could lose him soon.
As well as interest from both Manchester clubs, Italian giants Juventus are also keen on the 20-year-old midfielder. It’s likely to be a tight battle, which could come down to which sides offers the most first-team action.
With Marouane Fellaini struggling, Ander Herrera linked with an exit and Michael Carrick aging, United could offer the youngster the starts he is seeking.
