MANCHESTER UNITED: STANDSTILL (PART 3)

After a dismal transfer window last season, which saw no noteworthy additions to the starting 11 bar Edinson Cavani, a player who became starter only through Anthony Martial’s injury in the first place, United’s recruitment department have to wake up and smell the coffee. Another year of additions like Van De Beek, Amad and Facundo Pellestri would see United plunge into a deep hole of “catch up” with other PL clubs and that cannot be allowed to happen. Every player that puts pen to paper in the next two months needs to be a bonafide starter and nothing less. Lets take a deeper look.

TARGET 3 – CENTRE BACK (Raphael Varane, Jules Kounde, Pau Torres)

VARANE: The 28 year old Real Madrid CB has 18 major honors to his name including 4 UCL titles and 3 La Ligas, an undisputed veteran of the game. A major rebuild at his current club can see him leaving for a fee of around 40 million, an extremely fair price. The pacy defender would complement Maguire well and add another leader at the back, something the Red Devils very dearly lack.

VIABILITY – 8/10

KOUNDE: Jules Kounde has been the up and coming CB in recent years. The Sevilla man has been in the notice for his pace, aerial ability and good reading of space. Furthermore, he has an excellent tendency to progress play from deep, with accurate and frequent passes into midfield and attack. This plays perfectly into United’s philosophy of playing out of the back. The 22 year old can be the mainstay in United’s defence for the next decade.

VIABILITY- 7/10

TORRES: Another pacy La Liga defender who would feel at home beside Harry Maguire, Torres was absolutely monumental in the EL Final against United. Razor sharp concentration and discipline with passing ability to boot, he is similar in profile to Lindelof but an upgrade in almost every category. A welcome addition if United pull him off.

VIABILITY – 8/10

TARGET 4 – KIERAN TRIPPIER

Another La Liga footballer, but this time it is a Right Back. Aaron Wan Bissaka played almost 5000 minutes last season, an egregious amount for a fullback who has to bomb up and down the field. Moreover, his attacking abilities have been frowned upon time and time again. Tripper comes forward as the solution. An attack minded yet complete fullback nonetheless, he has been absolutely sensational since signing for Atletico Madrid from Spurs. The Englishman can plug the attacking instability on United’s right hand side while giving AWB a much deserved rest. An absolutely essential signing and an obtainable one as well, with the asking price being around 15 million. Bargain.

VIABILITY – 9/10

The transfer window opens on 9 June. Expect a truckload of links in a modicum of positions. But United, like always, are going to get in 3-4 players with a net spend of 100-150 million. What is important is to spend smart this time or get left behind.