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What’s the rumour?
The English outlet Daily Star is reporting that Jose Mourinho wants three new signings this summer. He plans to prioritize the defence and wants to sign a central defender, a left back and a holding midfielder in order to improve upon the existing squad.
In case you didn't know:
Despite impressing this season, Manchester United find themselves playing second-fiddle to run away leaders, Manchester City. City need only three more wins in the remaining eight games to secure the league title - only two more, if they win against Manchester United.
Jose Mourinho is determined to turn that around next season. He is already planning ahead to the summer transfer window and has drawn a list of three key positions where he needs reinforcements.
The outlet claims he wants to bring in Tottenham's Toby Alderweireled this summer and the Belgian will be his prime target. There have also been reports linking Barcelona's Samuel Umtiti with a move to Old Trafford.
He also wants a left back and the report says that Tottenham's Danny Rose is a wanted man. There have also been reports of a cash-plus-player deal for Juventus' Alex Sandro, with Matteo Darmian going the other way.
He also wants to bring in a quality holding midfielder and they add that Lazio ace Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who has enjoyed a breakthrough season with Lazio, is the top name on his list.
The heart of the matter:
Although showing signs of drastic improvement this season, Mourinho has not been able to field a regular back-line. Eric Bailly, Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo and Luke Shaw have struggled with injuries and Daley Blind and Matteo Darmian have failed to show promise.
New signing Victor Lindelof is yet to find his feet in the Premier League and Mourinho is looking at players who can add steel to their defence.
With Michael Carrick announcing his retirement and Marouane Fellaini likely to depart, Mourinho needs to find at least one quality replacement to complement Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba. Although academy product Scott McTominay has impressed, an experienced player would enhance their title credentials.
Author’s take
With the addition of Alexis Sanchez in January, Mourinho has enough firepower in attack. He just needs to find a perfect system to deploy his personnel. They are in need of quality defenders and Mourinho is likely to buy atleast one big name this summer. With two key central midfielders likely to depart, Manchester United fans can expect Mourinho to rope in suitable replacements as well.
