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Manchester United need to strengthen in a few positions this summer if they want to challenge on all fronts next season.
Manchester United have seen steady progress under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The team crashed out of the FA Cup last night after suffering a 3-1 defeat against Leicester City. They were easily second-best on the day but it should be noted that the Foxes were well-rested as opposed to the Red Devils.
Manchester United have a talented group of individuals who can affect any game with moments of brilliance. This is why they are one of the best attacking units in the Premier League. However, they are lacking in a few departments and this has come back to bite them on multiple occasions this season.
The Red Devils had an underwhelming 2020 summer transfer window and things are expected to go down differently this summer now that new appointments have been made on the footballing side of things including a new football director and technical director.
Without further ado, let's take a look at five players Manchester United could target this summer.
5 players Manchester United could target this summer
#5 Jules Kounde
Manchester United's defenders have come under a lot of criticism this season. After maintaining a good defensive record in the 2019-20 season, the Red Devils abandoned their cautious approach for a more attacking style of play this term. Their defense was consequently more vulnerable and they have crumbled on occasion.
Manchester United still struggle while defending set-pieces. Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof are their main centre-backs because Eric Bailly is constantly battling injuries. While Maguire's one-on-one defending is suspect, Lindelof is rather poor in the air.
As such, it is necessary for them to bring in a new centre-back who can stand his ground and can dominate aerial duels. Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde has been linked with Manchester United and the 22-year-old will be a great signing for Manchester United.
Sevilla values Kounde at £50 million and if Manchester United can furnish enough money through player sales, they will have the funds to sign Kounde. But it is not exactly a position they want to strengthen on priority.
#4 Jadon Sancho
Manchester United were actively pursuing a deal for Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho last summer. The Red Devils have been without an out-and-out right winger for close to a decade now. Sancho would have been a great signing, but United weren't willing to match Borussia Dortmund's valuation of €120 million.
Sancho is expected to leave Dortmund in the summer and his destination is most likely Manchester United. However, the Red Devils have signed Amad Diallo and Facundo Pellistri, who are both young and full of promise.
So unless Sancho is available for much less than what Borussia Dortmund quoted for him last summer, they might shy away from pursuing a deal.
#3 Declan Rice
Declan Rice is one of the best young holding midfielders in the Premier League and is another player who has been extensively linked with Manchester United. The West Ham man has earned a reputation for being one of the most hardworking players on the pitch and would be a great fit for Manchester United.
He is excellent in a defensive sense and his ball-carrying and ball-retention abilities have got better as well. As of now, Manchester United's best defensive midfield pairing is Fred and Scott McTominay.
Fred is extremely erratic even though he is quite good when the Red Devils take a more defensive approach to their game. Rice will complement McTominay well and as such, he should be made a priority transfer target this summer.
#2 Saul Niguez
According to Cadena Ser, Saul Niguez wants out of Atletico Madrid and Manchester United remain interested in his services. Saul Niguez has been brilliant for Atletico Madrid and is easily one of the most complete midfielders in Europe.
Niguez is a seasoned professional and Manchester United will be getting a player who has already accomplished himself at the elite level. He is also just about to hit his peak and he could have a great impact at Old Trafford.
The Spaniard is a great box-to-box midfielder and helps out in defense as effectively as he does in attack. He will be a major upgrade on the likes of Nemanja Matic and Fred.
#1 Erling Haaland
Anthony Martial is simply not good enough to be Manchester United's centre-forward. His movement is quite poor for someone who wants to be a no.9 and United have been much more of a threat going forward when Edinson Cavani is playing.
The Uruguayan has shown Manchester United the need to sign a young and promising striker who is also prolific. Erling Haaland has a raft of admirers and Borussia Dortmund will be happy to sit back and start a bidding war. But if Manchester United are willing to break the bank, they should go all out for Haaland.
At 20-years-old, Haaland is already one of the best strikers in Europe. His record in the Champions League is unbelievable. He is the quickest to 20 goals in Europe's elite competition and he did it in 14 games.
Haaland and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are compatriots and the Manchester United manager has been a fan for a while now. The Red Devils have the potential to transform into a scary unit and signing someone like Haaland would be a significant step forward.
