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Manchester United have a tough summer ahead. The Red Devils have fallen down the pecking order among the elites in England and in Europe; Ed Woodward and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have their work cut out in the transfer market after their 6th place finish in the league.
Antonio Valencia and Ander Herrera have already confirmed their exits from the club as their contract expires this summer. Juan Mata also has his contract expiring in June, but the club is negotiating with him for an extension.
The likes of Romelu Lukaku, Marcos Rojo and Alexis Sanchez are also rumoured to be leaving the club, meaning that the club will have to look for several reinforcements in the market.
Solskjaer had earlier hinted that there would be a huge change in personnel this summer, and it very well looks like things are heading that way. Here, we look at three players Manchester United could pursue this summer in order to build a squad capable of being title challengers both domestically and in Europe.
#3 Kalidou Koulibaly
The leader of the defensive backline at Napoli is one of the best central defenders in Europe. Kalidou Koulibaly, who turns 28 next month, is reportedly on the radar of the transfer committee members at Old Trafford.
Koulibaly is strong in the air and has brilliant positioning sense along with immaculate physicality. A good tackler of the ball, he has transformed over the years into a ball-playing centre half, initiating attacks from the back.
He is known to make some runs with the ball and can often be found in the opposition box trying to score, which makes him a threat on the attack to go with his defensive skills. A complete player and a leader, Koulibaly will be a brilliant fit for the United backline, giving them much-needed stability out there.
The Senegalese international is a prized asset of Carlo Ancelotti's Napoli side and will not come cheap. He is contracted till 2023, and United might have to break the bank in order to bring the defender to Old Trafford.
#2 Christian Eriksen
The Danish international is one of the best attacking midfielders in the world. His contract at Tottenham Hotspur ends next summer, and with him not showing any signs of extending with the North London Club, Daniel Levy might be putting him on the market; it is already rumoured that Real Madrid are monitoring him with an eye on a summer transfer.
The 27-year-old has scored 10 times and assisted 17 more for the Spurs this season. He is versatile and can play on either side of midfield, which makes him a valuable asset for the club.
The former Ajax player can solve a lot of the creativity problems in the Manchester United midfield that Solskjaer is facing right now. An intelligent player on and off the ball, he is the midfield brain that keeps the Tottenham attack ticking with his passing vision and positioning intelligence.
Manchester United should be looking to get his signature this summer and build their attack around him to reap great results in the future.
#1 Antoine Griezmann
Manchester United suffered a lot last season when it came to scoring goals. There are also rumors of Romelu Lukaku leaving the club, which means Ed Woodward will have to search for a striker in the market.
Things might have got a bit easier as French international Antoine Griezmann announced a few days ago that he will be leaving Atletico Madrid at the end of the season.
The 28-year-old can lead the front-line all by himself. He is a proven goalscorer and is also a chance creator who flourishes brilliantly in a multi-striker partnership upfront.
Griezmann can play as a left winger, a centre-forward or a false 9, based on the requirement. A pacy, technically adept player, Griezmann has learnt his fair share of defensive duties under the tutelage of Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid; that makes him more of a complete and team player on the pitch.
He has a release clause of £108 million, and United would do well to activate it and get his services for the next season.
