Manchester United have been linked with a whole host of top class players once again this summer, but which will actually make the move to Old Trafford?
Few clubs are linked with players as prolifically as Manchester United, and that is even more true this summer than most. The reigning Europa League and League Cup champions had a mixed term last season, winning two trophies but slumping to a sixth-placed finish in the Premier League.
The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Antoine Griezmann and Gareth Bale have all been linked to United this summer, but none really held much water with us, and as such, miss out on this XI. Our look at a possible Jose Mourinho starting XI next season then includes only current Manchester United players and those that are heavily linked to the club by solid and reliable sources.
News broke today that the Red Devils have had a reported £75 million bid for Everton’s Romelu Lukaku accepted, so barring an eleventh hour approach by Chelsea, he’ll be heading to the Theatre of Dreams. As a result, he spearheads this team, and here are the ten players that join him:
David de Gea
Manchester United duo Wayne Rooney talks with David De Gea
Whilst a number of the players in this XI have been linked with moves to Manchester United this summer, David de Gea has once more been linked with a move away from Old Trafford, and specifically to Real Madrid. Back in August 2015, the two clubs agreed a £29 million (plus Keylor Navas) deal for the player which fell through as the paperwork failed to go through in time. De Gea looks set to spend at least one more season as number one at Old Trafford.
Antonio Valencia
If Wayne Rooney does depart for Everton this summer, Antonio Valencia will become the second longest serving player in the Manchester United squad. The 31-year-old has transitioned beautifully from a marauding right winger into a capable offensive full-back. Following his performances last season, it’s no wonder United haven’t been linked with any right-backs.
Victor Lindelof
The only confirmed signing made by Manchester United so far this summer, Victor Lindelof arrived at the club in a deal which could reportedly end up costing as much as £40 million based on add-ons. The 22-year-old centre-back made a big name for himself at Benfica, making 47 appearances last season, and he has already won 12 caps for Sweden.
Eric Bailly
Eric Bailly looked like a very good signing by Manchester United prior to his nasty injury sustained in October 2016. The Ivorian won the Man of the Match awards in his first two games and August’s Player of the Month award, if he can return to that kind of form, he will be a key man. The Red Devils could have a very young centre-back partnership with the 22-year-old Lindelof and 23-year-old Bailly.
Luke Shaw
It doesn’t look like Manchester United are going to be signing a left-back this summer, and that means it will be between Luke Shaw and Marcus Rojo for that position next season. Mourinho’s rocky relationship with Shaw has been played out in a very public manner, but if they can recover that relationship, the Englishman could become a regular fixture in the United side for years to come.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan
It took some time for Henrikh Mkhitaryan to break into the first team at Manchester United, but once he did, he didn’t really look back. The Armenian midfielder ended up scoring 11 goals from 41 appearances last season, becoming a crucial player in their cup double, scoring in the Europa League final and winning United’s Gold of the Season award for his scorpion kick strike against Sunderland.
Ander Herrera
The winner of the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award last season, Ander Herrera had a very good season in the Manchester United midfield last season. An industrious, intelligent and tidy midfielder who has to cover a lot of ground in United’s midfield, Herrera looks near-certain to be a regular starter next season.
Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba after France beat England
Much has been made of Paul Pogba’s debut season at Old Trafford, but the world’s most expensive player is still only 24 and should improve as the players around him improve and as his role becomes clearer under Jose Mourinho. Hopefully there should be a little less scrutiny and responsibility on Pogba’s shoulders next season, allowing him to flourish.
Ivan Perisic
Versatile attacking player Ivan Perisic operates primarily as a left winger, and that is where he is selected in this XI. The 28-year-old Inter Milan man has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford throughout this summer and those rumours still won’t go away. According to the Express, United have agreed a £6.2 million a year personal terms with the Croatian international.
Alvaro Morata
If reports in The Sun are to be believed, Manchester United have bid somewhere close to £75 million for Alvaro Morata, with Real Madrid valuing the forward at £80 million. If so, it seems likely a deal will eventually be reached. Morata, who scored 20 goals in 43 games last season, has won the Champions League twice and bagged 9 goals from 20 caps for Spain.
Romelu Lukaku
Everton’s Romelu Lukaku is on the verge of joining Manchester United
It has been reported today by BBC Sport that Manchester United have had a £75 million bid for Romelu Lukaku accepted by Premier League rivals Everton. The Belgian forward has an incredible goal scoring record for a 24-year-old, having already scored 145 career goals, and a further 20 from 57 caps for the Belgian national team. He has scored 20 or more goals in each of the last three seasons, and finished second only to Harry Kane for last seasons Golden Boot.
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