Manchester United fans in the Transfer Tavern are optimistic about their chances of winning the Europa League this month, but they’ve admitted they expected more from the side this season.
Jose Mourinho’s side have struggled to contend for the Premier League title and currently sit sixth in the standings, with a top-four finish unlikely to come their way – meaning their entry into the Champions League is dependent on whether they secure Europa League success.
United spent heavily last summer and our landlord is expected similar action from the Red Devils at the end of the season – and he’s tipped Mourinho to focus on improving his attacking line, with the most likely arriving being Antoine Griezmann.
The French striker has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United during the close-window and our landlord expects a world-record fee to be spent on the player – but he doesn’t believe he’ll be the only attacking recruit for the Red Devils this summer.
Our landlord has created the dream Man United front three next season that would undoubtedly dominate opposition defences…..
RW: Henrikh Mkhitaryan
The Armenian international was signed from Borussia Dortmund last summer after excelling in the Bundesliga, where he secured a phenomenal 17 assists during his last season in German football.
Since his move to the Premier League though, Henrikh Mkhitaryan has found things difficult.
Injury issues have played a part in Mkhitaryan’s slow debut season in English football but he can still look back on his first campaign fondly, as he boasts four Premier League goals and five in the Europa League – proving to be a crucial aspect of the Red Devils’ side that has pushed through to the final.
Better things can be expected of Mkhitaryan next season and he’ll be a crucial player in the United attack, alongside two top-class additions.
LW: Gareth Bale
The Real Madrid ace has been heavily linked with a return to the Premier League, with Manchester United often the side mentioned, and his injury problems in the Spanish capital this season may lead Los Blancos to approve a summer sale.
Bale would be a significant addition to Manchester United’s attack, especially with uncertainty on the future of Anthony Martial, but the Welshman would cost a huge price- although that won’t be a problem for the Red Devils.
Bale’s injury record is a concern but his ability is world-class and a return to the Premier League could prove to be extremely beneficial for all parties.
ST: Antoine Griezmann
The priority signing for Manchester United this summer, Antoine Griezmann is seen as the ideal candidate to lead the Red Devils back into their glory days and will look to replace Wayne Rooney as the reliable attacker for United over the course of the next decade.
Griezmann has earned a stellar reputation during his time in Spain, where he impressed with Real Sociedad before becoming a superstar with Atletico Madrid, and the Spanish side may find it difficult to keep him in Madrid.
Atletico fell short in the Champions League yet again this season, with arch-rivals Real Madrid overcoming them for the third time in four seasons, and a wealth of changes are set to take place in the next 12 months- the first of which will see Atletico leave the Vicente Calderon in the summer.
