'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
In comparison with their Premier League rivals, Manchester United have had a relatively quiet transfer window this summer which saw them welcome only three players: Fred, Diogo Dalot and Lee Grant. Needless to say, the Red Devils were in dire need of reinforcements after they ended the 2017/18 campaign devoid of any major silverware.
Nevertheless, the club's transfer inactivity has been simply shocking to say the least. This even enraged Jose Mourinho, who voiced his frustration after a 4-1 pre-season drubbing at the hands of Liverpool.
I would like to have two more players - I think I am not going to have two. I think that it’s possible I’m going to have one. I gave a list to my club of five names a few months ago and I wait to see if it’s possible to have one of these players.
With the transfer window for English clubs closing prematurely this year, today on August 9, the uncertainty looming over Manchester United's squad is immense. On that note, let us take a look at the 5 players the English giants might still be able to sign on this year's deadline day.
#5 Willian
Manchester United's left wing is over-saturated with the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, but the right wing does not boast of any prominent name. As a result, Mourinho was keen on signing a top-quality right-winger, which is why he was closely linked with Gareth Bale and Ivan Perisic.
However, no deal with regard to the aforementioned duo has been clinched yet. Willian is another top-notch right-winger linked with the Red Devils for quite some time, and could join Manchester United in spite of Chelsea's reluctance to offload the Brazilian - having received and rejected lucrative offers from Barcelona.
The 29-year-old recently handed a boost to United's pursuit by bluntly expressing his desire to reunite with his former manager, Jose Mourinho, whom he considers to be the best manager he has ever worked with.
#4 Nabil Fekir
Since the commencement of the transfer window, Nabil Fekir has been associated with a move to Premier League. The Lyon ace was initially linked with a switch to Liverpool, which had been all but negotiated until the deal somehow fell through.
Presently, the two clubs who are contending to secure Fekir's services are Chelsea and Manchester United, with the latter all set to make a shock bid for the 25-year-old playmaker out of seemingly nowhere. It is being claimed that Mourinho is actually pushing for a last-ditch move as Anthony Martial's future at the Old Trafford remains unresolved at present.
#3 Sergej Milinković-Savić
According to reports, Manchester United are up for a last-gasp bid for Lazio's Sergej Milinković-Savić as an able replacement for the wantaway Paul Pogba, whose fate at the Old Trafford is still up in the air.
The Serbia international is currently valued at €100million (£89m) by the club's president, Claudio Lotito, who has been playing hardball from the start of the transfer window and does not want to sell the 23-year-old.
Consequently, United will find it very difficult to pull off this marquee signing with time ticking but the possibility of a deal being struck cannot be ruled out either.
#2 Jérôme Boateng
One key area which Jose Mourinho is eager to improve is his central defence, for which the Portuguese tactician has been linked with a host of quality centre-backs in recent months.
One such name is Bayern Munich's Jerome Boateng, who latterly had a disastrous World Cup campaign with the German national team. Lately, reports have emerged which claim that the 29-year-old is weighing up a potential move for the Red Devils and that Mourinho believes he can land the Germany international.
BBC Sport journalist Simon Stone tweeted: "Was told earlier today that @ManUtd highly unlikely to get Jerome Boateng but since been told player still keen if he feels Utd really want him. Jose thinks it can be done - were talking loan, Bayern wanted straight sale."
#1 Toby Alderweireld
Toby Alderweireld is another centre-back on the list who has surfaced as Manchester United's top target after the deals with Leicester City's Harry Maguire and Barcelona's Yerry Mina collapsed.
The former Atletico Madrid ace has been linked with the Red Devils for as long as one can remember, and it is indeed surprising that no deal has been settled so far.
All the same, it is now being claimed that the Premier League giants are finally closing in on the Toby Alderweireld deal having agreed personal terms with the 29-year-old. Only the transfer fee is now the sticking point in negotiations between the two clubs.
