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The 2018/19 season is just crossing the halfway mark, but for Manchester United, it almost feels like the season is over. The team has shown great promise under caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solksjaer and his ambitious and attack-first approach. The upturn in form has gotten most fans, including me, thinking ahead to the 2019/20 season and how Manchester United should lineup after the ins and outs in the upcoming summer window, to mount a title challenge if Solksjaer is given the job on a permanent basis. The transfers I feel the club should make are:
Ins: Kalidou Koulibaly, Toby Alderweireld, Thomas Partey, Douglas Costa
Outs: Juan Mata, Marouane Fellaini, Phil Jones, Antonio Valencia, Eric Bailly, Matteo Darmian
Reasons for the ins:
It's been clear this season that Manchester United are weak at the back and I think there is a good chance that Ole will look to strengthen his side at the back first. The signings of Koulibaly and Alderweireld could prove to be the missing pieces in the United lineup. Koulibaly is brilliant on the ball and can orchestrate United attacks from the back. He can also allow United to keep the ball in tight situations. Toby has loads of Premier League experience and has been on United's radar for quite a while now. These two will definitely improve Manchester United at the back end of the field.
Thomas Partey could prove to be a brilliant signing if done. The defensive midfielder has been quite good for Atletico Madrid this season and with age not on Nemanja Matic's side, United need to look at a long term solution at the defensive mid position.
Manchester United have been pursuing a right winger for a while now with Gareth Bale, linked every single window. Recently linked, Douglas Costa would most definitely improve United's right side in my opinion. Costa would also be comparatively cheaper considering he has found life difficult in Turin this season with Allegri overlooking him for Cuadrado.
Reasons for the outs:
Let's look at the outs! Juan Mata's contract ends in June this year and he might leave United as a free agent if the Red Devils sign a right winger. Fellaini has found very few opportunities to play under Solksjaer lately and would be looking to leave if this continues to be the case.
Phil Jones' contract (just like Juan Mata and Ander Herrera) is running out and the chances of him being offered an extension look bleak due to his lack of fitness.
Manchester United's current captain Antonia Valencia has been really poor this season and has played very less. His contract also runs out this summer which means he could leave as a free agent by July. Eric Bailly could be shown the door due to his injury-prone and error-prone career thus far at Manchester United. If United sign 2 new center-backs, Bailly would get very few chances to play anyway. Matteo Darmian has been looking to leave United for some time now and should mostly leave for a Serie A club this summer.
If these transfers are pulled off I believe Manchester United should lineup as follows:
Starting XI:
David De Gea (C), Diogo Dalot, Kalidou Koulibaly, Toby Alderweireld, Luke Shaw, Thomas Partey, Paul Pogba, Ander Herrera , Douglas Costa, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford
Formation: 4-3-3
Subs: Romero, Lukaku, Sanchez, Matic, Lindelof, Young, Lingard
Manager: Ole Gunnar Solkjaer
