Our Manchester United fans here in the Transfer Tavern are willing Ed Woodward and Jose Mourinho to bring some big signings in the summer to strengthen key areas in a bid for a better title challenge than this season.

Our regulars in the pub believe that the Red Devils are one, possibly two signings away from mounting a serious assault on the Premier League next season. Surely Jose Mourinho would want to feed his own ego and be the first manager to win it for the first time in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, which would certainly make our regulars happy.

Ed Woodward will no doubt have to hand the infamous list of players Jose Mourinho desires in the summer and should be aiming to work on them before the World Cup truly gets going, if he wants to pick up a bargain or two. Mourinho has never been shy about spending what he needs to complete the job in hand, however, the United board will surely be looking at recouping some of the big money spent over recent seasons by ridding the squad of some deadwood at long last.

For Mourinho to close the gap on local rivals Man City, our landlord thinks that these two-star signings will make a huge difference next year…

Toby Alderweireld

United are in desperate need of a strong and commanding centre-back to partner the first choice defender Eric Bailly at the heart of the defence. Many have tried but little have cut the mustard, and with Alderweireld’s game time reducing at Spurs since his comeback from injury, now would be a perfect time to make a move for the Belgian.

Many of the regulars mouths are watering at the prospect of the pair hooking up next season, and surely it would be a great foundation for a great team.

Toni Kroos

With the retiring Micheal Carrick, United and Mourinho need a midfielder in the centre of the park to pop off a pass and be the missing link between defence and attack. Before Carrick, the Red Devils had Paul Scholes and Toni Kroos is in a similar mould to them both.

He has been close to signing for United in the past, but a move again in the summer could see the German wearing the red of United next season.