Man United’s spending power was affected in the 2020 summer transfer window, mostly because of Covid-19 having a huge impact on our finances. The Red Devils spent less on transfers than the likes of Leeds United & Aston Villa, going for a low-key summer.
They pulled off a decent late deal to sign a classy striker like Edinson Cavani on a free. United could go for similar deals in 2021, when some brilliant players from around Europe will be up for grabs as fee agents.
So here we look at five players with their contracts expiring in 2021 who United should consider signing next summer.
David Alaba
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer obviously didn’t get his wish of signing a left-footed centre-back this summer, but maybe United can look to sign one next year. Bayern Munich’s reliable centre-back David Alaba is likely to leave the club on a free next year and is available for grabs.
The Austrian defender is commendable in distributing possession, blessed with adequate pace and knows how to make clutch challenges to steer away danger. He’s also an expert set-piece specialist and would be an immediate upgrade in our backline. Alaba would demand a fortune in wages, but United could decide it's worth the cost since there's no transfer fee to pay.
Memphis Depay
Ever since he’s left United, Memphis Depay has been a man on a mission to prove his talent. He’s done an exceptional job at Lyon in recent seasons, even helping them to the Champions League semi-finals last time out! Depay has become more mature and decisive with his work upfront.
He could be a really good alternative for Marcus Rashford and could also operate as a number nine if required. Memphis has already scored 5 and assisted 3 goals this season for Lyon, indicating that he’d be a cunning free-agent acquisition knowing his ability to create and score goals on a consistent basis.
Arkadiusz Milik
Even if Cavani stays beyond this season, United still need another goal-scorer among their forward ranks to help win more games next season. Napoli striker Arkadiusz Milik is likely to leave the club next summer and could be a really smart signing for free.
The Polish centre-forward is almost a Van Persie-esque striker with the clinical touch to finish chances in the final third. He loves to dribble past opponents, is really smooth with his link-up play and has the physique to thrive in the Premier League.
With 28 goals scored in Serie A over the last two seasons, Milik has proven himself as a consistent goalscorer and could add another dimension to United attack.
Florian Thauvin
The witty Frenchman might’ve flopped in the Premier League with Newcastle United in the 2015-16 season, but he’s been in excellent form with Marseille over the last few seasons. Florian Thauvin could help fill our need for a natural right-winger as he’s proven to be a prolific one who loves causing menace down that flank.
He’s scored 41 goals in 76 Ligue 1 appearances for Marseille since the 2017/18 campaign and keeps banging in clever assist down the right.
A tricky player with a creative eye to hand easy chances to his teammates, Thauvin can help United be a genuine threat attacking down the right flank. He’s available for free next year and at his very peak right now, so getting him could prove to be a clever addition to the squad.
Sergio Ramos
So he might be turning 35 next year, but Sergio Ramos is the defensive leader United have been lacking for many years. The Red Devils reportedly tried to sign him a few years ago, only to no avail as he didn’t want to leave Real Madrid. But that could change next year with him now possibly leaving the La Liga giants.
The Spaniard is the aggressive, determined centre-back needed to improve our defensive record and is the kind of leader that can motivate everyone else around him. He will add strong character to any team and get United competing at the top. So if United get a chance to sign him for free next year, there isn’t any reason to hesitate.
Do you want United to sign any of these stars? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
