A Manchester United attack with Antoine Griezmann involved has whetted the appetites of Manchester United fans here in the Transfer Tavern, and our landlord has noted that whenever this discussion is had supporters get a little looser with their wallets as the celebratory drinks flow.
However, it may not be the Frenchman that is the talisman of Man United’s forward line next season, with the Daily Star reporting that Harry Kane is being considered. The England international is supposedly an alternative to the Atletico Madrid ace, but with Griezmann himself showing some reservations towards a move – The Sun say that no Champions League qualification will see him reject Jose Mourinho’s side – the Tottenham ace may be the better option to go for.
But how would a Man United attack with involved look? Well, our landlord has put together a front four with other potential additions taken into consideration, and it looks fearsome!
RM – Willian
Reported to be a target Mourinho has in mind, Willian offers the sort of mix of defensive nous and attacking output that will be needed to anchor the rest of this flair-filled forward four. The Brazilian was a favourite of the now Old Trafford boss when he was at Stamford Bridge, with the former Shakhtar Donetsk and Anzhi Makhachkala ace performing well throughout the title-winning season of 2014/15.
Any move would hinge on Chelsea being willing to sell to a direct rival, but with the 28-year-old having struggled to get in ahead of Pedro and Eden Hazard for large spells of the season, there is enough scope to suggest he may want out.
CAM – Paul Pogba
Mourinho is known to like physically imposing midfielders and there’s every chance he’ll go for a true holding player to partner the energetic Ander Herrera in the centre of the pitch, which would free Pogba to move forward and play a No.8/No.10 hybrid role.
There’s no doubt the Frenchman has the technical skill to get forward effectively and some of his best performances in the red shirt have come when he’s been freed up by Herrera and Michael Carrick, so it makes sense to move him towards the position he filled in his last season at Juventus.
LM – Henrikh Mkhitaryan
It may have taken some time for the Armenian to adapt to English football and win over his manager, but it’s become clear now as to why they paid the cash for him. The former Dortmund ace is an excellent playmaker and while he has thrived in the No.10 slot, his pace and ability to cut inside make him an effective wide attacking midfielder.
With Mourinho seemingly not truly convinced by Anthony Martial and his use of Juan Mata perhaps a reaction to not having the quality and depth he would like, Mkhitaryan might be the main option next term.
ST – Harry Kane
That all leads to the focal point of this new-look attack: Kane. Reports from the Daily Star suggest he’s the Griezmann alternative they are looking at and with Zlatan Ibrahimovic set to turn 36 early next season, the Spurs man could be the ideal talisman for this team long-term.
With a stunning Premier League goal return of 63 in the last two-and-two-thirds seasons, the England international doesn’t represent the gamble some options from abroad would, while his mix of physicality and sheer striking instinct may him somewhat similar to ‘Ibra’.
