Despite all the spending, on the hype on the new manager coming in, and the hope that this would finally be the season they would stop their little recess and get back to challenging for the title, Manchester United still look mediocre.
They might have some of the best players in the world in Paul Pogba, David de Gea, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. However, the club need a lot more to honestly challenge for the title and give the club’s fans the kind of confidence they were used to under former manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.
Jose Mourinho has hinted that he’ll have to spend a lot again this coming summer if he is to ‘fix’ Manchester United and a lot of fans and critics are on his side. A bunch of players across multiple positions is required and here’s looking at five of the best under-23 options he can explore come the summer:
#5 Ross Barkley
Given the number of games he’s played for Everton in both the Premier League and other cup competitions, it’s incredible when you realise he’s still only 23. At times, Ross Barkley is the heart of the team – the driving force, the leader and that one player who pumps the rest of them up.
A central midfielder by trade, he has been played a little further up the field by Ronald Koeman. Barkley is an incredibly talented Englishman who could seriously improve Manchester United. He’s quick, he’s strong, has an eye for goal and brings about the same energy on the field as Wayne Rooney did all those years ago as a newbie.
Barkley is quick on the turn and would make counter-attacking a real threat for Jose Mourinho with his strength and his vision. Add to that his ability to in multiple positions, you can really see why he’ll be such a quality addition. There are no downsides to the move and the club can get him on the cheap in the summer given his contract is up at the end of next season.
#4 Joao Cancelo
We don’t know what the beef is between Jose Mourinho and Matteo Darmian but the Portuguese manager’s insistence to prefer Antonio Valencia over the Italian hasn’t been vindicated too often this season. And he needs someone who is a natural there. One who is capable of contributing adequately to both attack and defence.
22-year-old Portuguese international, Joao Cancelo, ticks all the right boxes. Although he didn’t make the 2016 UEFA European Championships squad last year, the Valencia full-back has quickly grown a reputation as one of the best young defenders in the game.
With his burst of pace and his knack of raking up interceptions, Cancelo will add some much need dynamism to Manchester United’s back line. The 22-year-old averages an impressive 2.4 interceptions and 2.5 tackles per game in key areas. He’s a defender first and it’s worked for him and his team all these years.
#3 Raphael Guerreiro
Moving over from someone who was excluded from the UEFA European Championships to someone who won it. And we have Borussia Dortmund's highly-rated youngster, Raphael Guerreiro. The 23-year-old is the most versatile player on this list and that's because he has his basics sorted out perfectly.
Guerreiro has had a dream run over the past few months scoring goals – six in all competitions, – contributing assists – four in all competitions, – albeit being played as both a defensive and attacking midfielder. Given Dortmund's innovative approach to handling new young players, the Portuguese man seems to have discovered a new position he excels in.
Now a regular with the side as a left-sided defensive midfielder, Guerreiro has taken the role like a duck to water. His passing has improved, too, and he now regularly breaks the 50-passes-per-game mark. His distribution has been noticeably efficient for Borussia Dortmund going forward as well.
At Manchester United, he could be the kind of midfielder Paul Pogba needs to fully enjoy himself. With Guerreiro and Ander Herrera either side of Paul Pogba, the team will finally look like a side capable of winning games because of their midfield.
#2 Harry Kane
No introduction needed, really. Tottenham Hotspurs’ Harry Kane is the best English striker in the game right now. He’s not the fastest by any means but has the timing and the intelligence to succeed in any type of attack going forward.
Kane is currently the highest scoring Englishman in the Premier League with 13 goals. Yes, he scores penalties, but Kane’s biggest strengths are his finishing, his timing of runs and the ability to put away chances with either foot or head. And with Wayne Rooney and Zlatan Ibrahimovic both now at the fag ends of their career, a pursuit of the Englishman would feel a familiar ‘Manchester United-esque’ approach.
The 23-year-old will cost a fortune, however, given Daniel Levy’s reputation. His contract is set to end only in 2022 and that gives Tottenham Hotspurs the upper hand in any transfer negotiation. They could hold out for a world-record fee and that would only be fair given his talent and how much he brings to the game every time he takes to the pitch.
#1 Bernardo Silva
It’s incredible how none of the ‘big clubs’ in the world went after AS Monaco’s 22-year-old magician, Bernardo Silva. The Portuguese international missed the UEFA European Championships because of injuries but has come back stronger this season with the team from the Principality.
Silva is an incredible young talent – one of the best in the world – for the way he dictates the game when on the ball. He’s quick, can slip in the right pass when needed and dribbles so often defenders are often frustrated when facing him.
He has all the right raw materials to become one of the best in the world. His small demeanour isn’t too much of a problem given his short liftoff. He’s able to beat most defenders with a combination of pace and trickery. His niftyness on the ball in the final third has been mesmerising to see for the Ligue 1 side this season. He’s scored a lot of important goals, too, having found the back of the net against both Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique de Marseille.
With eight goals and seven assists in all competitions for Monaco, he’s en route to his best ever finish to a season. And that’s yet another feather in his cap should interested clubs make aware their interest in his services.
