Tag Archives: Manchester United

Manchester United have already spent heavily this summer to bring Romelu Lukaku and Victor Lindelof to Old Trafford but Jose Mourinho is ready to splash the cash once again.

The Red Devils are keen on signing a defensive-minded midfielder to slot into their side, which would allow Paul Pogba and Player of the Year Ander Herrera more freedom in attack- which should significantly improve Mourinho’s side.

Manchester United have been linked with Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic and Monaco ace Tiemoue Bakayoko but Tottenham Hotspur’s Eric Dier is their priority signing, with The Guardian reporting the boyhood United fan is keen on a transfer.

A fresh approach of £50m is rumoured to be in the works but Manchester United may have to part with an even higher figure, as Tottenham don’t want to sell and Daniel Levy is renowned for being a difficult man to deal with in the transfer window.

Where does a deal stand?

Unfortunately for Manchester United, the early indications are not good. Manchester United made an approach earlier in the season, which came with a bid under instruction from Jose Mourinho, but Levy immediately rejected the approach- and insisted he won’t be selling Dier this summer.

The fact that Dier is open to a move will give Manchester United hope though and Spurs may struggle to keep hold of the England international if he seeks an exit, particularly as the Red Devils can easily double the midfielder’s current £70k-a-week wages.

Dier has also faced problems securing regular opportunities at White Hart Lane during the past 12 months, with the signing of Victor Wanyama last summer dethroning the 23-year-old as Spurs’ first-choice defensive midfielder.

Can Spurs fend off interest?

Tottenham will likely fight tooth and nail to keep hold of Dier but they may struggle to retain the services of the England ace as there is still a long way to go in the transfer window- especially as Manchester United’s approach will likely lead to Dier seeking assurances.

Dier will want regular football ahead of the World Cup next summer, as he battles for a spot in Gareth Southgate’s England squad, and may demand an increase in wages. However, breaking the £100k-a-week threshold would shatter the Lilywhites wage structure and may lead to further demands from other players.

In all honesty, Dier is probably the most expendable player within Tottenham’s squad, amongst those attracting interest from big sides, and they’d be able to cope with his departure, whereas they’d find it difficult to replace Harry Kane, Dele Alli and company.

West Brom haven’t been known for making waves in the transfer market that much but they’re looking to land a significant double-deal ahead of the new season.

The Daily Mirror indicates Tony Pulis has set his sights on Manchester United’s defensive duo Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, both of whom have two-years remaining on their contracts at Old Trafford.

Both England aces face uncertain futures in Jose Mourinho’s side following the capture of Victor Lindelof from Benfica, who’s set to partner last summer’s recruit Eric Bailly in the heart of the Red Devils defence- potentially leaving Smalling and Jones in real trouble in their battle to make England’s World Cup squad.

Jones’ versatility appeals to Pulis, who’s also looking to bolster his defensive options with former Manchester United man Jonny Evans attracting interest from elsewhere, Jonas Olsson having already left and Gareth McAuley halfway into a retirement home.

Whether they can persuade Manchester United to sell though is another matter as the departure of the pair would significantly decrease the depth at Mourinho’s disposal.

The England impact

Crucially, moving to West Brom could help both defenders in their quest to establish themselves as key figures within Gareth Southgate’s England squad ahead of the World Cup next summer, especially as Jake Livermore battled his way back into the set-up after joining the Baggies from Hull in January.

Smalling is probably better placed for a starting spot within the England squad next summer as it stands but the rise of young pairing John Stones and Michael Keane prevents problems, especially as the pair will be assured of regular football this season.

Jones is perhaps the man who desperately needs to move on though as he seems out of Mourinho’s plans and a move to West Brom, who’ll offer regular football and stable surroundings, could spark his career back into life.

Italian club Roma are interested in signing Manchester United forward Anthony Martial on a season-long-loan, according to John Cross in The Mirror.

Roma’s newly appointed Sporting Director Monchi is looking to find a suitable replacement for new Liverpool winger Mo Salah, who was sold by the Romans to help ease pressure from FFP regulations. Now that they have balanced the books, they have now begun enquiring for players across Europe, with Martial’s name being high up on the list.

With Romelu Lukaku joining Manchester United this past week and Ivan Perisic also on the verge of signing for Jose Mourinho’s side, that puts Martial further down the pecking order for a forward position, something Monchi and Roma are looking to capitalize on.

Roma are keen on a loan deal for the former Lyon and Monaco forward, but Manchester United are insistent on a £30M fee, something which may throw a spanner into the works on Roma’s end.

After passing their FFP regulations, they are very unlikely to pay the fee demanded by the English club

Leeds United face another rebuild this summer after losing Garry Monk to Middlesbrough but new manager Thomas Christiannsen is ready to strengthen the Peacocks’ ranks by securing a Premier League defender.

ESPN sources indicate Leeds are pursuing the signature of Manchester United defender Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, with the Yorkshire outfit exploring the possibility of a deal either on-loan or on a permanent basis.

The 20-year-old endured a disappointing time on-loan with Wolves in the first-half of last season, before returning in January to feature for Manchester United’s U23 side, but his future in Jose Mourinho’s side remains under speculation.

Despite having three-years to run on his current deal, having penned a new contract last year, Borthwick-Jackson could become the latest Manchester United starlet to fail to break into the side and leave- following in the footsteps of Michael Keane, Paul Pogba and others.

Can a deal be done?

At this stage it’s difficult to speculate what Manchester United’s stance on a deal would be and it’s more likely that a loan deal would be agreed initially, potentially with Leeds being given the opportunity to complete a permanent deal later down the line.

After making his breakthrough under Louis Van Gaal, earning 14 first-team appearances under the Dutchman’s tenure, Borthwick-Jackson struggled to impress Jose Mourinho and now faces further competition for places following the capture of Victor Lindelof from Manchester United.

With 22-year-old Lindelof set to partner 23-year-old Ivorian defender Eric Bailly in the centre of defence, Manchester United’s central-defensive pairing looks secure for the next few years- which may mean Borthwick-Jackson needs to leave.

The Premier League’s big spenders are set to do it all again this summer to bring some of the finest players to English football and strengthen their sides for the forthcoming campaign.

English football’s rise of TV revenue has lead to Premier League side’s paying a premium price on the transfer market and inflation over recent years has seen players cost more and more, with transfer records being set regularly.

Paul Pogba became the world’s first €100m player last year when he sealed a move from Juventus to Manchester United but his record is likely to be broken in the coming months, with audacious fees being mentioned- some in excess of £120m.

With the likelihood that records will be smashed this summer, we’ve identified ten players who could become the most expensive players in the history of world football in the coming  months if they secure a lucrative move- and it features a number of Premier League targets.

Kylian Mbappe (Monaco)

The hottest name in world football right now, teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe has been linked with a host of Europe’s top-sides this summer, including Arsenal, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, but Monaco are determined to keep hold of his services.

Mbappe’s ability and the fact Monaco don’t want to sell means his price-tag will be driven higher and higher, with reports already indicating a deal could cost in excess of £120m- a sensational figure for this year’s breakthrough star.

The Premier League has become the home of the most expensive transfer additions in recent years, with billions being splashed out to bring the finest talents to English football.

Despite this, English sides have failed to kick-on in their quest to conquer European football and have fallen behind the likes of Spain, Italy, Germany and even France in the race for the Champions League trophy.

The likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City will be looking to change that next season though when they return to European action and the Premier League will boast five clubs in Europe’s elite competition, with Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur also in the running.

Spectacular fees are likely to be spent once again this summer, potentially setting world records, but we’ve moved to assemble the most expensive XI in Premier League history so far- in a set-up that’s dominated by both Manchester clubs and Chelsea.

Before we start, it’s worth noting that all fees and records are correct as of 26th June 2017 and all figures were taken from TransferMarkt.

GK: Ederson (£34m)

Signed by Manchester City from Portuguese outfit Benfica this month, the £34m price-tag for Ederson easily surpassed the previous record-figure paid by a Premier League side for a goalkeeper and was narrowly ahead of the £30m fee Everton paid for Jordan Pickford two-weeks later.

The 23-year-old Brazilian is set to become City’s first-choice goalkeeper for the forthcoming campaign after last summer’s acquisition of Claudio Bravo proved to be a failure, as the Chilean failed to live-up to expectation and endured plenty of troubles.

Manchester United are set for a wealth of business activity this summer as they look to challenge for the Premier League title next season and compete upon their return to the Champions League.

The Red Devils won the League Cup and Europa League last season but still endured a campaign that didn’t live up to their lofty expectations, with Jose Mourinho’s side finishing sixth in the Premier League- seven points off the top-four.

Activity at Old Trafford this summer is likely to involve both incoming and outgoing deals, with The Daily Mail stating one exit is close as Spanish outfit Real Sociedad have reportedly agreed a £10m deal to sign Adnan Januzaj from the Red Devils.

After excelling in the 2013 campaign under David Moyes’ tenure, Januzaj earned a call-up to the Belgian national side but has seen his career decline vastly since the Scottish boss left Old Trafford and he’s no surplus to requirements.

What’s happened?

Following his starring performances for Manchester United during David Moyes’ ill-fated tenure at the club, many expected Januzaj to become an important figure for the Red Devils- especially after he was handed the number 11 jersey in 2014, formerly worn by United legend Ryan Giggs.

After making 27 Premier League appearances during his breakthrough year in 2013/14, Januzaj made 18 appearances the following season but struggled to replicate the fine form he previously showed. It then became clear there was no way back for the youngster, who moved to Manchester United at the age of just 16.

Five Premier League appearances followed in the 2015/16 season but Januzaj also endured a failed loan stint with Borussia Dortmund, earning just six Bundesliga appearances before having his spell at the club terminated prematurely, and he failed to impress on-loan with relegated Sunderland last season.

Amidst all of Januzaj’s problems, Manchester United brought in the likes of Anthony Martial and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, whilst Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard are amongst those who have made a claim for regular opportunities ahead of Januzaj.

What does the deal involve?

Significantly for Januzaj, there may be the chance of a redemption in his career as The Daily Mail indicates Manchester United are keen to include a buy-back clause in the deal that would take the young winger to Real Sociedad this summer.

Mourinho rates Januzaj as surplus to requirements but the Red Devils willingness to set-up the option for the Belgian to return shows the club believe he could still become a superstar- and it’s clear they’re learning their lesson from the previous departures of Paul Pogba and Michael Keane.

Incidentally, a £10m deal for Januzaj (€11.39m) would make the Belgian the Spanish side’s third most expensive signing in history, according to TransferMarkt, behind only Asier Illarramendi and Carlos Vela.

Manchester United’s debut season under Jose Mourinho has seen the Red Devils fall well short of expectations in the Premier League and money is sure to be spent this summer in an attempt to improve the club’s fortunes.

James Rodriguez continues to be the name on everybody’s lips ahead of the summer transfer window, with the Colombian seemingly set to leave Real Madrid after a disappointing few seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu where he’s failed to show the sort of form that set the 2014 World Cup alight.

Earlier this month, Spanish media outlet Sport stated James has verbally agreed to move to Manchester United this summer and fresh reports continue to appear on a daily basis, intensifying the South American’s links with a lucrative move to the Premier League.

However, James Rodriguez would be a questionable recruit for Manchester United due to their wealth of depth in attack and the Red Devils continue to be linked to further attacking additions this summer- so it’s difficult to see where exactly the Colombian fits in.

The debate is likely to rumble on throughout the summer, with James Rodriguez’ future shaping up to be the transfer saga of the 2017 summer window, and we asked our team for their thoughts on the 25-year-old’s potential move.

Josh Challies (@Challies11)

I’ve been left scratching my head ever since James Rodriguez was first linked to Manchester United as I can’t see where he’d fit in- added to the fact the Red Devils would have to pay an audacious sum to secure his services and it’s difficult to justify that amount.

The Colombian has failed to build on his exceptional form at the World Cup three years ago and he continues to be living off his reputation in that tournament, having failed to establish himself as a first-team regular for Real Madrid.

At Manchester United, there’s a real danger he’d be in exactly the same boat regardless of whether Mourinho viewed him as a winger or an attacking midfielder, so it really seems like United would be spending money for the sake of it.

Shane Burns (@MediaShaneBurns)

James Rodriguez signing for Manchester United could be a game-changer regarding their title aspirations. The Colombian is highly marketable in South America and he certainly has the talent to up his potential marketability.

Whether or not signing for United is a possibility, Rodriguez would add proven quality and depth to a frail United side. A Mourinho player? Probably not.

Sam Cox (@SamRCox_)

Players of James’ class are always welcome additions to the league.

When it comes to Manchester United, however, James’ arrival would rely on at least one of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Juan Mata leaving. It’s been a tough year in Madrid for the Colombian and, while creativity has been lacking at Old Trafford, his presence would not fix the fundamental issues with the setup of the team.

It could work out, but right now it aches of a signing that will fizzle under Jose Mourinho’s management.

Tom Scholes (@TomScholes316)

A lot of people are raving about James Rodriguez to Manchester United, but I can’t help but feel that it isn’t the right move for the Colombian. United already have multiple play makers in their squad including Juan Mata, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and to a lesser extent Paul Pogba, and James would just become yet another big name signing with no purpose.

If United really want to get the best out of Paul Pogba, the last thing they should be doing is signing James Rodriguez. Adding another central attacking midfielder only pushes the Frenchman deeper in midfield, restricting him.

With the constant links seemingly every summer, is James to United the new Wesley Sneijder to United rumour?

Manchester United and Liverpool are both being linked with a surprise name ahead of the summer transfer window, as both Premier League sides eye recruits to improve their chances of success next season.

The Reds are on-course for a return to the Champions League next year and could be joined in the competition by arch-rivals Manchester United, who have two possible avenues to qualification as they continue to battle for success in the Europa League.

Having fallen short of battling Chelsea for the Premier League title this season though, Jurgen Klopp and Jose Mourinho are both expected to splash the cash heavily this summer in order to build a side capable of battling on all fronts- and that’s led to surprise links.

The Daily Star states that Liverpool have joined United in the battle for Chelsea’s World Cup winning midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who is linked with an exit from Stamford Bridge three-years after returning to English football from Barcelona.

Fabregas has been a bit-part member of Antonio Conte’s side this season and is expected to move on in the summer, particularly amidst rumours that Chelsea’s Italian boss is looking to strengthen his midfield depth with new recruits.

Would Chelsea sell?

The biggest question concerning the links between Fabregas and both Premier League sides is whether Chelsea would approve a sale to direct rivals, as the Spaniard is still one of the best midfielders in the Premier League and a decision to offload him could come back to haunt Chelsea.

Chelsea want to recoup the majority of the £27m they paid for Fabregas, who turns 30 tomorrow, and that fee is affordable for both Premier League sides. However, it’s difficult to imagine Roman Abramovich sanctioning such a big sale to a rival club.

Conte’s side would certainly prefer to sell abroad but they may have difficulty doing so, as it’s unlikely Fabregas would return to Spain after a disappointing few years with Barcelona and has limited suitors elsewhere.

What about Italy?

Both AC Milan and Inter Milan have long been linked with Fabregas’ signature and the two San Siro sides have cash to spend this summer following their recent takeovers. However, The London Evening Standard reports he’s not interested in moving to Italy.

Fabregas is likely to seek opportunities in the Champions League as he looks to establish himself in the pecking order for Julen Lopetgui’s Spain squad for the World Cup next summer and neither Inter or their cross-city rivals will be able to offer that opportunity.

That means Fabregas is likely to reject any offers from China, should they emerge, and he’ll prefer a stay in the Premier League- which could lead United or Liverpool to have to pay over the odds to sign the experienced Spaniard.

Manchester United have been heavily linked the services of big-name players this summer, with one particular man attracting a wealth of attention in the back-pages during the past few months.

The man in question is of course Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann, who has been identified as the prime-target to bolster the Red Devils front-line next season- and United’s interest in the Frenchman may have risen following Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s injury last week.

However, Manchester United aren’t the only club interested in the services of Antoine Griezmann but the Frenchman’s advisor, Eric Olhats, handed United two huge boosts- stating the Red Devils have shown the most interest, whilst also stating Paris Saint-Germain are no longer keen.

What was said?

Speaking to French outlet Telefoot, Olhat said:

“There was Manchester United who came, who inquired, they told us about their project. They were the first and most concrete in their wish.”

“Last year, there was a real interest, and this year, no, it’s not part of their plans.”

However, Olhat also reiterated that any interested party will have to match Griezmann’s mammoth release-clause, whilst he questioned whether the Red Devils were a lucrative option for the 26-year-old forward.

“We are currently in the area of ​​taking information from clubs that have concrete means. There is a clause, which is 100 million euros, which is unavoidable. Of candidates. These candidates are the English clubs like Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea. In Spain, Barcelona, ​​Real Madrid.”

“If Diego Simeone, his mentor, is leaving, he has to leave too, and afterwards, in relation to the different choices he has, I think the most obvious, and here I forget the Madrid problem.”

“He’s a great player, but you have to raise trophies, Real Madrid seems to me a lot better than Manchester United because there’s Zizou, there’s a team Where things seem clear, structured.”

“Manchester United is not yet relaunched, they had to revive themselves this year, even in a transitional year, but they are lagging behind their passing times.”

What does this mean for United?

Although the quotes ended with a damning assessment of Manchester United’s current situation, the possibility of Antoine Griezmann moving across Madrid to join Zinedine Zidane at the Santiago Bernabeu is extremely unlikely.

The same can also be said for Barcelona, who boast the best attacking trident in world football and seem unlikely to make any changes there, so realistically it should just be a one-horse race for Griezmann’s signature- but United will have to convince Griezmann to move.

With Atletico once again in the semi-finals of the Champions League, Griezmann has vast opportunities available to him and can lead Atleti next season in their move away from the Vicente Calderon. Should Simeone leave this summer though, Griezmann will almost definitely follow.

Manchester United are already looking ahead to the summer and would like to make some big money signings it seems. The likes of Antoine Griezmann have been linked, but they are also being linked with a move for a Brazilian defender…

The player in question is Marquinhos. Widely regarded as one of the best young prospects in the game, the PSG man is said to be high on the wish list of Jose Mourinho as he looks for defensive reinforcements in the summer.

The report comes from Goal who state: “Ligue 1 champions PSG are, however, reluctant to sell one of their key players and Goal understands they will not consider a sale in the summer, even for a bid of €100m.

Jose Mourinho’s side would be willing to offer €10m per year in wages to attract one of the top young defensive players in Europe as they look to build a team capable of winning the Premier League title.”

Mourinho has already invested big in his defence with the signing of Eric Bailly, but it seems he would like to add another central defender. Phil Jones continues to struggle with fitness whilst Marcos Rojo and Christ Smalling have failed to perform to the level Jose wants.

Marquinhos would walk into the United XI at the moment, most likely to partner Bailly at the heart of the defence. It would be a fairly inexperienced defence though, which would be something new for Mourinho, who has always favoured having at least one experienced head in his back four.

But it is clear United need some fresh young legs in their team and Marquinhos would be a fine addition. He is a player that can play out from the back with a very impressive 93.5% pass success rate in Ligue 1 and the Champions League this season.

Whilst he has shown promise at PSG, he is far from the finished article, but Mourinho will be confident in helping him become a better player. Mourinho did a great job with Varane at Madrid.

Marquinhos’ defensive statistics are not incredible this season (1.6 tackles, 1.4 interceptions, 3.6 clearances per 90) but he has the raw attributes to become a top player.

Another advantage of signing Marquinhos is his versatility. Although United have a top quality right back in Antonio Valencia, they do lack quality depth in that area and Marquinhos has experience of playing in this position.

In my opinion, Mourinho will bring in another defender in the summer and Marquinhos is a very good candidate. He would be a significant investment for United but as we have seen with the signing of Paul Pogba, United are not afraid to do that. Marquinhos would probably cost in excess of £50million, but I don’t think United will be afraid to invest such an amount in a player that is only 22 and has already proven himself at the top level.

Despite his youthful age, Marquinhos has managed to play nearly 100 games for PSG and has already been capped 17 times for his country.

Manchester United look set to spend big this summer with a huge move for Griezmann being talked up.

The PFA Team of the Year was announced this morning and it’s fair to say the majority of people were underwhelmed by the selections, with the announcement going down like a lead balloon.

Naturally, the team was dominated by players from Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, who currently sit in the top-two positions in the Premier League, but both sides can feel aggrieved by certain members of their team that missed out.

Arsenal, Manchester United, Everton and Manchester City fans will also share their frustrations, as they’ve had star performers overlook in favour of some rather questionable choices from the PFA.

Here at FreshFootball, we’ve also been left underwhelmed by the selections (seriously, Sadio Mane) and rather than discuss who should be in or out of the side, we’ve elected to select an entirely new team altogether.

Have we missed anyone out? Let us know in the comments below!

GK: Hugo Lloris

Spurs’ number one has been an ever-present figure this season between the sticks for the most resilient defence in the Premier League, with the Lilywhites conceding just 22 goals so far- significantly lower than anyone else.

Whilst David De Gea at Manchester United has been similarly impressive, and being selected in the PFA Team of the Year as a result, overlooking the goalkeeper for the league’s best defence is a decision that doesn’t really add up.

Manchester United face a huge battle to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League and they need a victory against Chelsea to boost their chances. Fortunately, they have a strong squad and this side should be good enough to take all three points.

GK: David De Gea

Widely considered to be the best goalkeeper in the Premier League, David De Gea has been an ever-present figure in a Manchester United side that have conceded just 24 goals during their league campaign- a number only Tottenham Hotspur can better.

Absent last week through injury, although some reports have indicated Jose Mourinho kept him out of action for other reasons, the Spaniard will return to the Manchester United line-up for Saturday’s crucial clash with Chelsea and he’ll have to be at his best.

The game is being shown live on Sky Sports on Sunday afternoon (4pm kick-off UK time) and you can get a NowTV day pass and watch the game for just £6.29 with our fantastic 10% off a day pass offer.

Chelsea are on-course for Premier League glory but can hand a huge blow to rivals Manchester United this weekend with a victory. Here, we’ve selected the team Antonio Conte should select to win the match.

GK: Thibaut Courtois

Chelsea’s Belgian stopper has been a mainstay in Antonio Conte’s side throughout the season, starting all 31 Premier League fixtures for the Blues. During that time, Chelsea have kept 13 clean sheets- the highest amount in the division.

The Blues have also conceded just 25 goals in the Premier League, a number only Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United can better, and Courtois has been vastly important to Chelsea’s solid defensive structure.

The game is being shown live on Sky Sports on Sunday afternoon (4pm kick-off UK time) and you can get a NowTV day pass and watch the game for just £6.29 with our fantastic 10% off a day pass offer.

Manchester United’s quest to win the Europa League continues in Belgium tomorrow as the Red Devils tackle Anderlecht. Here, we’ve identified the starting XI that Jose Mourinho should select.

GK: David De Gea

Manchester United’s number one has been first-choice on the team-sheet throughout the season and will remain in that position for the foreseeable future- although Real Madrid are looking to change the situation with a swoop this summer.

Whilst he can be criticised for being over dramatic at times, De Gea is one of the best young goalkeepers in the world and should be able to put in a commanding performance against Anderlecht tomorrow evening- where a clean-sheet would help the Red Devils tremendously in their aim to reach the semi-finals.

Manchester United have thrown all their eggs in one basket with their pursuit of Antoine Griezmann but it seems Atletico Madrid are trying to pen him to a new deal. As such, the Red Devils need to start considering alternatives and these four would be ideal.

Robert Lewandowski

The Polish centre-forward has established himself as one of the finest striker’s in world football over recent years and he could elect to seek a new challenge this summer away from German football, having starred for Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.

At 28, Lewandowski is in the prime years of his career and a switch to Manchester United would see the Red Devils’ front line improve significantly. If Zlatan Ibrahimovic is to leave this summer, then Lewandowski would be the perfect replacement.

Money is no object to Manchester United so they should be able to convince Bayern Munich to part ways, with it being well-known that Bundesliga sides cannot match their English counterparts in the transfer market.

Manchester United face a battle to keep star-man Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Old Trafford for another year after reports suggested he’s set to move to LA Galaxy. The Red Devils ace could end-up being joined in the MLS by some of his current team-mates, as we’ve identified three players who could follow him stateside.

Wayne Rooney

Manchester United’s all-time leading scorer has struggled to find his place in Jose Mourinho’s set-up this season, with the veteran forward battling the likes of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Zlatan Ibrahimovic for a striking role.

A loss of pace has seen Rooney revert to more of a midfield-based position over the past year but United may not have a spot for the England skipper there either. As such, an exit is widely reported this summer and Rooney could become the latest big-name to move to the MLS.

Whilst a move stateside would affect his chances of representing England at the World Cup next summer, it could hand the United captain a new lease of life and he can expect a bumper pay-day as a result.

Despite the money Jose Mourinho has spent in his first season at Manchester United, his team still look a long way from title challengers. A long unbeaten run in the league has papered over cracks in all honesty, with several home draws in recent weeks frustrating the fans.

Instead of battling for the title, United now find themselves in a struggle to finish in the top four. There’s a very real possibility that they will miss out on Champions League football again. The United attack is ageing and is struggling to make the difference week in week out. Wayne Rooney and Zlatan Ibrahimovic could leave the club this summer, and that would free up significant funds for United to go and invest in new attacking midfielders and forwards. We take a look at 3 top quality players United could bring in with an investment of around £200million…

1 – Robert Lewandowski

According to DonBalon, a Spanish source, Mourinho may not choose to extend the contract of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, or at least, he may look to sign a new first-choice striker. According to the same report, Lewandowski of Bayern Munich tops the list. I don’t need to write about what type of player he is, or his statistics in recent years, it goes without saying that adding him to the team would be a significant improvement.

Convincing Munich to sell will not be easy. They have no obvious back up to Lewandowski, and world class strikers are hard to find on the market. A bid in excess of £60million would surely be needed to convince the German’s to part way with the deadly Polish striker.

Manchester United are eyeing big changes this summer and it’s likely that Jose Mourinho will splash the cash heavily once again, despite the astronomical figure spent last summer.

The Red Devils have been linked with a host of top-class players ahead of the upcoming transfer window but a new name has now been thrown into the mix, as Don Balon state Mourinho is eyeing a swoop for Bayern Munich ace Robert Lewandowski.

United’s interest comes amidst growing concerns on Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s future at Old Trafford, as the veteran striker has consistently been linked with an exit despite only arriving on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain less than a year ago.

With prime target Antoine Griezmann regularly knocking back claims he will leave Atletico Madrid for a switch to the Premier League, Mourinho has been forced to identify alternative options and Lewandowski tops his short-list.

Would Lewandowski move?

Manchester United would have to pay an astonishing sum to land Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich but they have no problem with paying high prices, as shown last summer by their £89m capture of Paul Pogba.

However, the Red Devils would have to secure Champions League football to bring the Polish striker to the Premier League, as he’s determined to continue playing at the highest level, and the Red Devils chances of securing a top-four finish look bleak. That said, a place in Europe’s elite competition could come with success in the Europa League.

As for Bayern, the Bavarian giants are aware they cannot compete with the prices of the Premier League and a sale of Lewandowski would hand them ample funds to find the right sort of replacement, although filling the gap left by the former Borussia Dortmund man wouldn’t be easy.

Will Ibrahimovic leave?

Manchester United are keen to keep Ibrahimovic at Old Trafford, following his tremendous performances in his debut season in English football, but the Swede has had his head turned by offers elsewhere- with one of the most recent reports suggesting he’ll join LA Galaxy.

A return to Italy to join Napoli has also been highly discussed by his agent Mino Raiola and the Swedish striker could seek a fresh challenge, especially as he aspires to be the star-man in the squad and that may not be possible if the signature of a player like Griezmann was to be secured.

Manchester United’s transfer charge this summer could see them eye a move closer to home, with a sensational report being reported in South America.

As reported by Metro, Chile’s ‘El Show de Prensafutbol’ claims that Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has contacted Alexis Sanchez over the phone to try and persuade the 28-year-old to move to Old Trafford this summer.

Two-time Copa America winner Alexis is facing an uncertain future in North London, as he rapidly approaches the final 12 months of his contract with no progress of an extension being made- and reports widely suggest he’ll move on this summer.

Whilst there is a wealth of interest in the Premier League, Arsenal would naturally prefer to sell their star-man to a side elsewhere in Europe- although that could be difficult if Alexis decides he wants to stay within English football.

How likely is a deal?

As mentioned, Arsenal will be determined not to sell to a direct rival and will likely block any move for Alexis Sanchez to Manchester United. On top of that though, it’s difficult to see where exactly Alexis Sanchez would fit-in at Old Trafford.

Mourinho’s side already boast the talents of Anthony Martial, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Jesse Lingard out wide, whilst Marcus Rashford has often been deployed on the wings this season and the Red Devils have been heavily linked with a move for Antoine Griezmann, who could also be deployed out-wide if United stick with their current formation.

Money is not a problem for the Red Devils though and Arsenal would likely earn a club-record sum for the sale of Alexis Sanchez, although it may not be worth it if the South American starlet was to wear the colours of United on a weekly basis.

Who else is keen?

The report also mentions interest from Manchester City, as it states Pep Guardiola has also held talks with Alexis Sanchez. On top of that, Chelsea are also heavily interested in the services of the South American- but Arsenal will still attempt to block any transfer to a Premier League rival.

Elsewhere in Europe, Serie A leaders Juventus are keen on bringing the former Udinese man back to Italian football, whilst oil-rich Paris Saint-Germain want to make the Chilean their star signing- having failed to replace Zlatan Ibrahimovic last summer.

There has also been talk of a potential move to Bayern Munich, where Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery are approaching the end of their careers, whilst a reunion with Jorge Sampaoli at Sevilla has also been mentioned- although the former Chile boss is unlikely to remain at the Andalusian side for too long, having been linked with Barcelona.

Manchester United have a lot of work to do under Jose Mourinho this summer and the Portuguese boss is preparing for another flurry of transfer window activity.

Amidst all the deals that could bring fresh faces to Old Trafford, Manchester United will also be wary of losing key assists to other top sides in Europe- and goalkeeper David De Gea is one player in particular they’ll have to fend off interest in.

The Spaniard continues to attract a wealth of interest from Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid but United have a back-up plan if he does seal a move to the Santiago Bernabeu, with The Manchester Evening News stating Jan Oblak is keen on a switch to the Premier League giants.

Conceding just 18 goals in La Liga last season, 24-year-old Oblak is widely regarded to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world but Manchester United would have to face a huge sum to land his signature- likely one that would eclipse the world-record fee paid for a goalkeeper, which currently stands at the £33m Juventus paid for Gianluigi Buffon in 2001.

Money is not a problem for United though and the comments from a source close to the player will give the Red Devils a real boost if they elect to pursue Oblak’s signature.

What’s been said?

A source told The Manchester Evening News: 

“I think for every player it is an honour to come to the UK and play for clubs like this one. A lot of top clubs from Europe wants the best goalkeeper in the world. In the UK, there are three of them who show an interest regarding Jan Oblak.”

“If De Gea goes back to Spain, everything is possible.”

How expensive would a deal be?

With a release-clause of £85m, and with Atletico Madrid having no intention to sell, securing Jan Oblak’s signature may be difficult. However, Atleti are set for a summer of change as they leave the Vicente Calderon and they could lose the services of key-men like Antoine Griezmann.

Oblak is close to both Griezmann and Jose Gimenez, both of whom have been linked with a move to Manchester United, and he may feel this summer is the right time to leave Atletico- with Real Madrid and Barcelona halting their rise in Spanish football.

On the continent, Atletico are going strong and are set to face Leicester City in the quarter-finals of the Champions League but the Spaniards have lost in the final in two of the last three seasons, so Oblak may feel his best chance of continental glory lies elsewhere.

That said, Manchester United may not be able to offer Champions League football and that could throw a spanner in the works of any potential deal.

Arsenal and Manchester United could look to swoop and secure the signature of a Leicester City ace this summer, with the Foxes fearful they’ll have to fend-off interest in their midfielder.

Wilfred Ndidi only arrived at the King Power Stadium in January, for a fee around £17m, but the Foxes are concerned he could jump ship in the summer as both Arsenal and Manchester United eye a move, as reported by The Daily Mirror.

Signed by the Foxes to fill the void left by N’Golo Kante’s summer move to Premier League leaders Chelsea, Ndidi has impressed and the 20-year-old, who snubbed interest from Arsenal last summer, could find himself on the move again.

Where would he fit in?

Both Manchester United and Arsenal are seeking midfield improvements this summer and both Premier League giants face the prospect of replacing long-serving members of their squad in the not-too-distant future.

The Red Devils are likely to wave goodbye to Michael Carrick at the end of the season and need a combative midfielder to fill that void, whilst Arsenal continue to seek a long-term replacement for Santi Cazorla.

Whilst Ndidi isn’t comparable to Cazorla, the Gunners would certainly benefit from additional strength in the midfield and a partnership alongside Granit Xhaka could give the North London side the catalyst to build success upon.

Could he stay?

Having only recently signed for Leicester, he could elect to stay with the Foxes. However, the defending Premier League champions face an uncertain future after slipping down the table this season and it’s unclear where their long-term status lies.

Nigerian ace Ndidi, who has been capped six times by his national side, will have aspirations of representing the African team in next summer’s World Cup but his nation still face a battle to get through the qualifying stages- although they’ve taken maximum points from their two matches in Round 3 so far.

Should Ndidi seal a move and play in European competition, his chances of making Nigeria’s squad would be significantly boosted and that could play into any decision he makes.

The best golf tournament of the year gets underway this week with the green jacket the coveted prize. The Masters always draws the biggest names and past Champion Jordan Spieth along with Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood make up a great 50/1 treble chance offer from one of the top golf betting bookies’ Bet on Brazil.

Manchester United missed the chance to continue putting pressure on the top-four this weekend, as they once again dropped points at Old Trafford.

A goalless draw with West Brom failed to create confidence amongst the fans for the remainder of the season, as the Red Devils prepare for a difficult run in- which starts against Everton in midweek.

With Jose Mourinho’s side still having to face Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur between now and the end of the campaign, as well as fighting for glory in the Europa League, fans aren’t confident that they’ll be successful in their push for Champions League football.

However, they’re delighted that a crucial player is set to return against Everton and have heralded Ander Herrera as one of their most crucial players- suggesting he’s even more important to them than world-record signing Paul Pogba.

@ucheguccigoo @TheSoccerUK More than Pogba we need Herrera….

— Supermanunited (@Supermanunited7) April 1, 2017

We need pogba, Ibra and Herrera back ASAP…we can’t continue dropping points at this stage of the season #mufc

— JOHNTE (@johnoti08531694) April 1, 2017

@MickiMadness @CopyOfOne Pogba, Zlatan & Herrera can’t come back sooner. We desperately need them in almost every game.

— Mané Garrincha (@VickieOfficiel) April 2, 2017

Ah well Ibra, Pogba & Herrera back against Everton & my god do we need them.

— Melvin S7ven (@MelvinS7ven) April 2, 2017

We didn’t miss Zlatan or Pogba today. We missed @AnderHerrera

—  Seán Webb (@seanwebb87) April 1, 2017

The biggest miss to this Manchester United team is Ander Herrera. So underrated his energy and willingness to push forward. Superb player.

— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) April 1, 2017

A Brazilian midfielder is dreaming of playing for Manchester United next season, and everyone is wondering if he could be the next Paul Pogba. 

Pereira has been a youth player at United since 2011. Now aged 21, he is ready to make the step up into the first team and follow in the footsteps of Jese Lingard.

Pereira has impressed on loan at Spanish side Granada this season and if United are not willing to give him regular game time, he is likely to have a number of suitors elsewhere.

Mourinho doesn’t have the best record in bringing young players through to the first team, but in Pereira he will want to make sure the club do not make the same expensive mistake that they did with Pogba.

“I’m playing well,” Pereira told ManUtd.com. “I’m trying to do my job and am getting a lot of minutes. For me, it’s been very good playing here at a high level in Spain, in La Liga, every week.

“I get to train and focus hard for the games and, for me, it’s been very good. Unfortunately for the team, it’s been a bit difficult this season but we’re trying to get out of this situation as quickly as possible.”

Manchester United were the biggest spenders in the Premier League last summer and the Red Devils are ready to splash the cash again at the end of the season.

The Sun states Jose Mourinho’s side have set their sights on Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Eric Dier, as they see as the ideal successor to Michael Carrick in the heart of the Red Devils midfield- with Carrick himself being a former Spurs man.

Carrick, now 35, is likely to leave this summer and, despite Daniel Levy being a shrewd negotiator, United are ready to spend big to bring Dier into their side- in a deal for the England international that could be worth in excess of £40m.

United have always prided themselves with boasting some of the best English talent and seeing a wealth of their stars represent the Three Lions at international level but Spurs now seem to have the advantage in this aspect, as they boast the likes of Dier, Harry Kane, Danny Rose, Kyle Walker and Dele Alli.

Where would Dier fit in?

Dier would slot into Michael Carrick’s role in central midfield, likely partnering Ander Herrera in a deep role and allowing Paul Pogba to become more effective in attack. With the likes of Anthony Martial and Henrikh Mkhitaryan supporting out wide, United’s side would look set for success.

The player himself may be tempted at a move too as first-team opportunities are not guaranteed at White Hart Lane and he continues to find himself used defensively rather than in midfield, where Mauricio Pochettino has preferred the likes of Victor Wanyama and Mousa Dembele.

Dier would also command a hefty pay-hike if he was to move to the North West of England and would follow in Carrick’s footsteps by switching North London for Merseyside, treading the path that has been laid out by the likes of Dimitar Berbatov and Teddy Sheringham.

Would Spurs consider a sale?

Tottenham do not want to lose their prized assets but their focus will probably remain on keeping the likes of Kane, Alli, Walker and Rose at the club, so they may see Dier as expendable given his position in the squad- especially if new faces are brought in.

That doesn’t mean they’ll let Dier leave on the cheap though but a lucrative offer would certainly be worth considering, especially as it would see Spurs handed some funds to improve their squad in certain areas and push towards Premier League glory.

In fact, selling Dier may end up working out well for Spurs, providing they spend the money they receive wisely, but the fact that it would also significantly strengthen United would also be a concern.

Arsenal may have to face another summer of key players leaving this year as Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez continue to be linked with an exit.

The worst thing possible would be to see another key Arsenal player go to Manchester United – following in the footsteps of Robin van Persie. That was heartbreaking for every Arsenal fan and to see something similar happen again with Ozil would just really make the club seem 2nd rate.

Ozil, whilst not in his best form at the moment, is a world class player and the Gunners cannot afford to let go of him as they lack players of that calibre throughout the squad. Wenger, or whoever the manager is next season, needs to keep Ozil and restructure the team to make them play in a way that gets the best out of Mesut and the club’s other key players.

Who will Ozil bench if he insists on joining Man Utd? Maybe Fellaini who lives on the bench

— Berry (@sirberry) March 13, 2017

Also linked with a move to a Premier League rival is Alexis Sanchez. The little Chilean has stirred the rumour cauldron by suggesting that he wanted to remain in London, but ‘play for winners’. That seemed to be a dig at Arsenal, by suggesting they were not winners, but also a nod to Chelsea to suggest that he would like to play for them.

The quotes from Alexis come exactly a day after the Guardian reported that he is Antonio Conte and Chelsea’s number one transfer target for the summer. Arsene Wenger would surely be very reluctant to sell to a Premier League rival, but it appears that the player may force a move.

Here’s some reaction to the Alexis rumours…

If Alexis joins Chelsea I'll kidnap him, lock him in a room and make him watch Marley & Me forever.

— Gunnervision (@Gunner_vision) March 29, 2017

Considering we're financially stable, key players departing should be a rarity, let alone to rivals. Can't allow Alexis to join Chelsea #AFC

— Patrick Timmons (@PatrickTimmons1) March 29, 2017

If Arsenal let Alexis go to Chelsea then I'm finished with this club.

— TikiTakaConnor (@TikiTakaConnor) March 29, 2017

If Wenger signs a new deal and then the club authorise the sale of Alexis to Chelsea, you can expect an all out war in the fan base!

— Mr DT © (@MrDtAFC) March 28, 2017

Alexis going to Chelsea will hurt more than RVP

— Ö👑 (@MesutEra) March 28, 2017

With the likes of PSG, Bayern Munich and Juventus interested in the duo, Arsenal need to ensure they sell abroad rather than letting their stars join Premier League rivals. Letting either Ozil go to Manchester United or Alexis go to Chelsea would be terrible for Arsene Wenger’s reputation and Arsenal globally as a football club. The Gunners currently look a level below the rest of the playing field and letting their best players join Premier League rival surely just cements that status.

Arsenal and Manchester United are currently falling short of their objective to seal a top-four spot in the Premier League and major changes will occur for both sides this summer.

Jose Mourinho has shown he’s not afraid to splash the cash at Old Trafford and will open his wallet once again this summer, whilst Arsenal will seek a big overhaul as they look to improve on what has been a disappointing campaign.

Italian outlet Il Mattino suggests the two Premier League giants will fight it out this summer for the services of Villarreal winger Samuel Castillejo, following the 22-year-old’s excellent performances for the Yellow Submarines this season.

Valued at around £35m, Castillejo is set to attract vast interest in the summer window and a move to the Premier League could materialise.

Do United need Castillejo?

Honestly, no. The Red Devils already boast Anthony Martial and Henrikh Mkhitaryan as top-class wide players within their squad, whilst the likes of Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard are also options for Jose Mourinho’s side.

With widespread reports suggesting they’ll add Antoine Griezmann to their attacking ranks this summer, it’s incredibly difficult to see where exactly Castillejo would fit in at Old Trafford. If he were to be signed, then it would raise significant questions on the futures of players already within their squad.

Mourinho wouldn’t exactly be your first choice for a manager to get the best out of a youngster too, as shown by his handling of Luke Shaw this season.

What about Arsenal?

Whilst Arsenal’s wide ranks are equally well stocked, the Gunners face uncertainty on the futures of Alexis Sanchez, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lucas Perez- which could leave the North London outfit with big holes to fill.

Castillejo could potentially replace Alexis, though he’s more accustomed to a role on the right, although that would allow Alex Iwobi to continue on the left and Theo Walcott to move into the central role he craves.

The Gunners also have strong ties in Spain and could utilise their former Malaga men to bring Castillejo to the club, as the Spaniard started his career with the La Liga side, with veterans Santi Cazorla and Nacho Monreal also boasting Malaga as previous employers on their CV’s.

Cazorla, incidentally, has also represented Villarreal, as has defender Gabriel Paulista.

Manchester United currently trail in the race for a top-four finish in the Premier League this season and have work to do if they’re to achieve their goal. For Jose Mourinho’s side to be successful, they’ll have to do these five things.

Win their games in hand

Manchester United may currently be outside of the top-four but they have control over their fortune, as they have two games in hand over fourth-placed Liverpool. Therefore, United need to ensure they use this to their advantage and return from both fixtures will full points.

It won’t be easy, especially as they face rivals Manchester City in one of those games, but the Red Devils need to ensure they emerge victorious in that match as it will give them a real boost- putting them right behind their cross-city rivals.

Their over game in hand against Southampton, which is yet to be arranged, will also be a stern test but it’s another game where a win is necessary.

Manchester United are set to go all out in the transfer market again this summer with Jose Mourinho preparing to set a world transfer record for the second summer in a row.

Following Paul Pogba’s £89m return to Manchester United from Juventus last summer, Spanish outlet Sport states the Red Devils are prepared to become the first side to break the £100m-mark in a transfer by activating Neymar’s sensational €200m release-clause.

It’s also claimed Mourinho’s side are ready to make the Brazilian one of the highest paid sportsmen in the world with a staggering wage of £416k-a-week, which would earn the South American an audacious sum of €25m per year.

However, Neymar is happy in Barcelona and doesn’t want to move to a side that is not guaranteed Champions League football next year- even if they are prepared to make him the highest-paid player in the Premier League.

Is he needed?

In short, no. Manchester United have recruited heavily in recent windows to bring the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Anthony Martial, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Paul Pogba to Old Trafford- as well as the unsuccessful transfers of Memphis Depay and Angel Di Maria, who swiftly moved on.

If reports are to be believed, then Antoine Griezmann will also be moving to the North West this summer and that doesn’t really leave much room for recruits in attack. If United are going to spend a tonne anywhere, the most obvious choice would be in defence.

Their back-line needs some serious improving if they are to mount a serious challenge for the biggest honours next season and beyond, as Eric Bailly and David De Gea are the only two players who stand out as genuine top quality- and question marks on the future of the latter still remain.

Should Neymar leave Barcelona?

Barcelona are set for a period of transition this summer as Luis Enrique steps down from his managerial role and leaves a side that is in need of vast changes- as the likes of veteran squad members like Javier Mascherano, Gerard Pique and Andres Iniesta need to be replaced.

In attack, Barcelona’s ‘MSN’ duo of Neymar, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez is likely to stay intact and that means the Brazilian will remain part of the Catalan giants supporting cast. That said, with Messi turning 30 this summer and Suarez already reaching that age, the long-term future of the pair could lie elsewhere.

Once Messi and Suarez leave Neymar, who has only recently turned 25, will be the superstar of the Barcelona attack and the man that they build a new-look side around. Therefore, leaving for Manchester United at this time wouldn’t be a wise call.

Manchester United are set to go on a vast spending spree this summer and their transfer activity could seen them bring a Serie A ace to Old Trafford.

Italian outlet Gazzetta Dello Sport states Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is keen to land Marcelo Brozovic in a deal from Inter Milan, which could end up costing the Red Devils as much as £43m.

Despite having experienced a takeover last summer, Inter Milan face a battle to keep their stars in the close season and could cash in on the likes of Brozovic to bolster their funds for their own transfer activity- as they seek to return to the summit of Italian football and overthrow Juventus from their dominant spell.

However, questions will be raised as to whether United would be wise to spend such a high figure on 24-year-old Brozovic and there could well be better options out there.

Is Brozovic worth it?

In the modern transfer window, it’s increasingly difficult to judge a player’s true value and whether a deal is good or not. However, £43m for Marcelo Brozovic would be a hefty sum- particularly as it would eclipse the fees of likes of Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in recent years.

In fact, on current numbers £43m would see Brozovic become the third-most expensive signing in Manchester United history, behind only Angel Di Maria and Paul Pogba. Whilst it’s likely new names will be added to United’s transfer history, it puts things into perspective.

There’s also the fact that Manchester United’s midfield ranks are already well stocked with the likes of Ander Herrera, Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata but with Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick likely to be on their way out, there could be room for a new midfielder.

Where would Brozovic fit in?

Looking at Manchester United’s line-up, Marcelo Brozovic would probably slot into the deep-midfield alongside Ander Herrera- allowing Paul Pogba to stay further forward, increasing his effectiveness as a result, and reducing the pressure on the wide players to track back.

In this role, Brozovic is likely to excel but the fee being mentioned is significantly higher than what you’d expect to pay for a player of his calibre and United may found a better deal elsewhere- as there is no shortage of top-class midfielders in European football.