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Since the emotional departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United have been majorly underwhelming in the seasons gone by. The club has not won the league for 5 years now which is the longest title drought in the Premier League era for the Red Devils and it goes without saying that the fans are now desperate for success.
The 2017/18 season was another disappointing one for the club's folklore as the 20 time English champions ended it devoid of any major silverware.
Even though they concluded the Premier League and FA Cup with a respectable runners-up position, the case in Europe's top flight was even worse. Jose Mourinho's side crashed out of UEFA Champions League by suffering a giant-killing at the hands of Sevilla in the Round of 16.
As such, the team management are in full swing to bolster their squad by welcoming some new signings such as the arrivals of Lee Grant, Fred and Diogo Dalot.
However, in order to ensure success in the coming season, the club will patiently have to do more in the ongoing transfer window.
On that note, let us take a look at Manchester United's 5 most likely signings this summer.
Also Read: 4 possible signings for Chelsea this summer
#5 Alex Sandro
Manchester United's left-back conundrum has long been the talk of the town owing to the uncertainty that prevails with regard to the aforementioned berth.
Ashley Young is the person who is currently deployed at the left-back position having received the green light ahead of Luke Shaw, who is clearly out of favour under Jose Mourinho. Nevertheless, Young is now 33 years old and is not going to get any younger as days pass by.
Consequently, Manchester United need a player who can be a long-term solution for their left-back woes. And Alex Sandro is the ideal person for such a role.
Plying his trade at Juventus presently, Alex Sandro has merchandised himself as a fine left-back thanks to his excellent showings in the past couple of seasons.
According to Manchester Evening News, the Red Devils have agreed personal terms with Sandro over a deal to bring him from Turin to Old Trafford.
#4 Ivan Perišić
In the recently concluded World Cup, Ivan Perisic was a sight to behold as he magnificently led his team to the finals of the tournament. With 3 goals and 1 assist under the belt, the Internazionale forward emerged as a bright spot for The Blazers.
Perisic was intensely pursued by Manchester United last summer but the deal fell through in the wake of the Croat's astronomical valuation. This summer, the Red Devils are again keeping close tabs on him in an attempt to procure the 29-year-old.
It will be intriguing to see if Jose Mourinho can eventually land his man this time. With Anthony Martial's exit from the Old Trafford in the offing, this is a deal that appears to be odds-on!
#3 Toby Alderweireld
It's hardly news anymore that Toby Alderweireld is not quite happy at Tottenham Hotspur in view of the way he was treated last season.
I wanted to prove something again. Show that the period before the tournament in which I did not play – for whatever reason – was unjustified. I wanted to show that I am still the same Toby as in November.
Alderweireld’s 2017-18 campaign was largely disrupted by a hamstring injury which initially ruled him out of action for four months, with a recurrence of that problem further delaying his return.
In consequence, the one-time Ajax defender started just three Premier League matches in 2018, with Mauricio Pochettino's persistence with Davinson Sanchez alongside Jan Vertonghen in defence even upon Alderweireld's return to full fitness further complicating his future at Tottenham Hotspur.
According to reports, the 29-year-old is keen on joining Manchester United following his exploits in the World Cup where he led Belgium to a third-place finish. If the deal is materialized, United's defensive strength next season will no longer be a pushover but rather a definite force to be reckoned with.
#2 Gareth Bale
While Manchester United's left flank is over-saturated with players like Alexis Sanchez, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, the right wing does not possess any prominent names.
For that reason, Jose Mourinho is actively pursuing Gareth Bale's signature who could follow Cristiano Ronaldo by seeking a move away from Real Madrid. Los Blancos are claimed to be embroiled in a hunt for Chelsea's talisman - Eden Hazard, which could once again put Bale's place at Santiago Bernabeu in jeopardy.
Also Read: 3 most-likely signings for Real Madrid this summer
The Welshman has already expressed concerns over the game time he was offered last season under Zidane after Real Madrid pulled off the Champions League three-peat in the following words:
I need to be playing week in week out and that hasn't happened this season for one reason or another. I had about a five or six week injury at start of season and I have been fit since. Obviously now I will have to sit down in the summer and discuss it with my agent and take it from there.
If Eden Hazard signs for Real Madrid, then Gareth Bale may reportedly jump ship to United.
#1 Harry Maguire
By virtue of his heroics for England in the World Cup 2018, Harry Maguire has come to the fore as a hot property in the current transfer market.
One of the most sought-after defenders as of now, Maguire was a redoubtable presence in Gareth Southgate's 3 man defence on grounds of his clinical passing as well as aerial prowess in the set-pieces.
As a consequence, he has caught the eye of Jose Mourinho who is endeavouring to prise him away for Leicester City before the commencement of the 2018/19 season.
According to reports, Harry Maguire is determined to complete a move to the Red Devils having topped Jose Mourinho's wish list of defensive targets this summer. Leicester City have valued the 25-year-old in the region of £50 million with Manchester United reportedly ready to pay up to £65 million for him.
