Top 4 Manchester United Summer Transfer Targets
It’s June 2017, and it’s still early for Manchester United to acquire big names from other top level clubs. With the signing of our new, versitile center back from Benfica, Victor Lindelof, now complete, and Antoine Griezmann’s decision to stay at Atletico, United will have a few more slots to fill. Although Jose Mourihno has said that he would like to add four new players to the roster over the summer, I would like to see United get five. Now with the addition of Lindelof, United have some options to consider.
Here is my list of top 4 players that United should acquire over the summer if they are to have a higher advantage in big league competitions next season:
1) Alvaro Morata (Real Madrid)
Registered at 6′2, Morata is the big, target man that United need in order to replace Zlatan. He can offer so much at the striker position including holding up the ball, swinging the ball out to the wingers, play intricate passes, and he even has acceptional crossing capabilites. He’s proven he can perform in the big matches, scoring 3 goals with 1 assist in the Champions League and has racked in 15 goals in La Liga last season. He will be looking to have a regular starting role at a top level club which he hasn’t seen at Real or Juve, and the 24 year old could initialize his move under Jose Mourinho in the next coming days.
2) James Rodriguez (Real Madrid)
This year could be the first time in history when two Real Madrid players move to Old Trafford in the summer! For so long, Manchester United have needed clinical finishing in the final third, and Rodriguez could solve all of those woes for United. When Louis Van Gaal brought in Angel Di Maria from Real Madrid in 2014, United expected him to provide a dynamic, creative attacking threat going forward, but with his lack of ambition to play for the club and staggering inconsistency, he saw himself out of the club in only a year. James would not be a repeat of Angel Di Maria, because he has been open about joining United for nearly six months, and he, like Morata, craves a starting role for a big club. James would have no problem competing at the Premier League level being that he scored 8 goals, recorded 6 assists with 89% pass accuracy in only 22 games in La Liga last season. He would add tremendous movement at the center of the pitch and add attacking prowess around the box. If he were to make a move to Old Trafford this summer, Rooney will be asked to give up his number 10 shirt to James. Whether Rooney is comfortable with that, it is not clear, but if Rooney wants to continue to play football under Mourihno, he should graciously allow the younger generation to take over.
3) Tiemoue Bakayoko (Monaco)
Although there is speculation that his teammate, Fabinho is more likely to sign with Manchester United, I do not see any sense in that move. Bakayoko is a more promising prospect than Fabinho. He would be an adequate suiter for Michael Carrick’s role in the deep midfield and add assurance to our defense. He is not the long passer that Carrick is, but Pogba or Herrera could drop back and dictate the ball further up the pitch. In Ligue 1 last season, Bakayoko registered 74 touches per game with an 87% passing accuracy. His defensive numbers are impressive, recording 80% tackles won, 66% aerial wins, and winning 58% duels. Bakayoko offers the physicality, speed, and strength that United need in that defensive midfield role.
4) Benjamin Mendy (Monaco)
Unfortunately, it looks likely that he’ll end up with United's bitter rivals at the Etihad, but if Ed Woodward can somehow make a strong push and land this flashy left back, United will be in solid shape in both offense and defense. At 22 years old, Benjamin Mendy is pacy, strong, defensive-minded and has excellent vision. Last year in Ligue 1, Mendy won 77% tackles, clocked in 5 assists, and completed a 76% pass accuracy. Some areas he will need to work on in order to adjust to the Premier League, but he would be a superb option for United's troubled left back position.