As the summer transfer window closes in, the rumours are spreading fast about just who Man United will be able to sign before the start of next season.
The Red Devils are likely to bolster their squad and allow them to compete strongly for the Premier League title next season. Here, we look at 3 possible scenarios of what could pan out in the transfer window.
1. Dream Scenario
After how they fluffed their attempts last season, signing Jadon Sancho this summer looks like a more realistic option for United.
But signing just him won’t be enough. Hence, in this particular scenario, we’ll look at what might happen if the Red Devils are able to fulfill all the positions that need upgrading.
Along with Sancho, the Red Devils desperately need a new centre-back and have reportedly made Raphael Varane their ‘no.1 target’ for the summer. If able to sign him from Real Madrid, the Frenchman will play the majority of games alongside Harry Maguire.
United also desperately need a defensive midfielder. Declan Rice is someone they’re interested in and the Red Devils can use Jesse Lingard as bait to get a deal done.
The Red Devils are also reportedly looking to sign a right-back as cover for Aaron Wan-Bissaka and can get Max Aarons from Norwich City to give more competition to Wan-Bissaka.
So in this scenario, here are the ideal signings we’d make:
- Jadon Sancho
- Raphael Varane
- Declan Rice
- Max Aarons
With all these players, here is what the lineup could look like next season
2. Realistic scenario
Knowing how the Glazers are unlikely to really ‘splurge’ in the summer – United will probably make Sancho as their only ‘big signing’ for the summer. If £70m+ is indeed spent on him, the Red Devils will probably look to get cheaper options elsewhere.
Pau Torres could come aboard from Villarreal for a much cheaper fee than Varane. In midfield, they could bolster with Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma – who has been one of the best midfielders in the Premier League this season.
The likes of Harry Kane and Erling Haaland will definitely turn the Red Devils into Premier League contenders – but signing either of them in this scenario is relatively impossible because of how expensive they are.
In this scenario, here are United’s potential signings:
- Jadon Sancho
- Pau Torres
- Yves Bissouma
All three of the realistic signings should be included in our line-up for next season.
3. Ed Woodward masterclass
So we all know that Ed Woodward will leave Man United soon – but it probably won’t come before the end of the season. That means that he could still have an influence over the summer transfer business and make the final decisions over director of football John Murtough.
If unable to negotiate a deal for their primary targets, United will mostly move for their secondary ones. With the defence needing to be reinforced, the Red Devils could look for a real cheap version in Brighton defender Ben White.
He has enough Premier League experience so could be deemed fit as Maguire’s partner. If again unable to sign Sancho, Woodward can go back for for someone like Ismaila Sarr to reinforce the wing – with United missing out on him last season.
Recent rumours have crept up about United wanting to sign Danny Ings this summer to bolster their attack. It won’t be beyond Woodward to bring him in as back-up to Edinson Cavani. Tom Heaton is also likely to join United on a free transfer - so that’s another deal that can be done.
In this scenario, here is who United would sign:
- Ben White
- Ismaila Sarr
- Danny Ings
- Tom Heaton
Only Sarr and White can be possibly included in the line-up from these.
