'%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)
This summers transfer window could see a lot of activity for Manchester United as they look to close the gap on their rivals Manchester City.
United head coach José Mourinho has pointed towards City's spending power as to why his red devil's are not closer to them in terms of points. He will surely be given more money to bridge this gap in the summer.
United have spent big money in the last two windows signing Paul Pogba for £89.3 million and Romelu Lukaku for £75million. If that is anything to go by then United will surely be back in the market this summer, especially given their extraordinary spending power.
Such areas Mourinho will look to strengthen would be at left back, centre back and central midfield. United have looked short in all these areas this season, often playing make-shift player such as Ashley Young, Chris Smalling and Scott McTominay in these respective roles. Should they rival Mancheser City for the league title next season then they will need to upgrade these areas.
Here are 5 signings they could make.
#5 Samuel Umtiti
Samuel Umtiti is rumored to be one of José Mourinho's top targets this summer. The Barcelona defender has a contract until 2021, but has a £53 million buyout clause which Manchester United could trigger.
The 24-year-old is one of the most sought after defenders in Europe and Barcelona are yet to tie him down to a contract that would negate his relatively low buy-out clause.
Mourinho will surely look to address United's defensive issues with Chris Smalling, Victor Lindelöf and Phil Jones not overly impressing.
Umtiti would add power, agility, ball winning ability, excellent reading of the game and a good passing range to United's defense.
Should Umtiti lineup alongside Eric Bailly, the pair would make a very proactive defensive partnership, both possessing excellent ball playing skills and ball winning ability.
#4 Danny Rose
Danny Rose has been out of favour for Tottenham this season, with head coach Mauricio Pochettino preferring Ben Davies in the left back spot.
Rose did not endear himself to Spurs fans last summer when he criticised the clubs transfer policy and has since only made 7 starts for the north London club.
The Manchester United left back spot has been a problematic area for Mourinho with Ashley Young playing a make-shift role there for the majority of the season and Luke Shaw unfancied by the Portuguese. Although Young has done a good job a left back, he will turn 33 this summer and the united manager will want a longer term replacement.
Rose would add pace, a threat from deep, good crossing ability and ball retention to the red devils, his Premier League experience would also make him a good investment for United.
#3 Toby Alderweireld
Toby Alderweireld has been absent from Tottenham's starting 11 in recent weeks after reportedly falling out with manager Mauricio Pochettino.
The Belgian has a £25.4 million release clause which can be triggered in the summer and there will surely be a number of clubs interested in acquiring his services.
As mentioned previously, United will be looking to bolster their back line this summer and could look to the commanding centre back to play next to Eric Bailly.
Alderweireld's physical presence and positional play could compliment Bailly's proactive style of defending pretty well and his experience could prove crucial for the United back line as they hunt for their first league title in 6 years.
A deal for £25.4 million in today's market is not particularly steep and should Manchester United pay the money, they would add a player with experience, proven pedigree in the Premier League, leadership qualities and good positional awareness.
#2 Jorginho
Another problematic area for Manchester United has been the midfield. With Michael Carrick set to retire at the end of the season, Mourinho could turn to Napoli midielder Jorginho to fill the void.
Jorginho has been linked to United after a string of impressive performances for the Serie A side this season. His technique, work rate, passing range, creativity and ball winning ability makes him highly versatile and the complete midfielder.
Mourinho has often looked to youngster Scott McTominay to play central midfield this season, but will surely look towards a more proven player who can adapt to multiple roles in this area.
Jorginho would add qualities in his passing range that neither Pogba or Matic can and he would suit playing alongside either or in a midfield 3, such is his versatility.
#1 Fred
Manchester United are reported to be interested in signing the talented Brazilian midfielder Fred from Shakhtar Donetsk. Possessing excellent ball-playing skills, creativity and the ability to play the ball with either feet - the 25-year-old has become one of the most highly rated midfielders in Europe this season.
Fred has been likened to countryman Fernandinho due to his ability to play in multiple positions and to adapt to different roles when needed. While he might not be a marquee signing, the Brazilian has the potential to be the type of functional midfielder that Mourinho loves.
Manchester United's current midfield of Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic has at times been too passive and lacked creativity. If Fred were to come in then he could act as a link between United's midfield and forward line due to his ability to drive forward and play through balls.
