Three signings to help Manchester United push for another league title
In an era dominated by Manchester City and Liverpool, the other “big” teams of the Premier League will surely be looking to do all they can to challenge for the title in seasons to come.
One of those clubs will be Manchester United.
The most successful club in England (with regards to Premier League titles), the Red Devils, now under the tutelage of former player Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, will be keen to challenge their local rivals City and fierce enemies Liverpool to the league title within the next few seasons.
They are without a domestic title since 2012/13 and have been lambasted for their poor managerial appointments and player purchases since the end of Sir Alex Ferguson’s illustrious tenure.
They have world-class players at their disposal but still appear to be a couple of signings away from being genuine challenges at the highest level.
Here are some suggestions of players they should look to bring in.
Emiliano Buendía | Right Winger | 23 | Norwich City | Argentina
As links to Borussia Dortmund prodigy Jadon Sancho persist, Solskjaer may look to help balance the books by spending a little less on a new winger.
Emiliano Buendía has been a standout for Norwich City in a campaign which has seen them languishing in the relegation zone.
The Argentine has been a key figure in Daniel Farke’s robust attacking side, providing seven league assists; on par with Son Heung-min, Sadio Mané and David Silva and only behind De Bruyne, Alexander-Arnold and Mahrez.
He hasn’t scored a goal this season but that shouldn’t be a worry for United who have numerous attackers capable of finding the net.
Buendía made a remarkable 2.6 key passes per 90 in 2019/20, a statistic which blows Jadon Sancho’s 2.3 out of the water.
At just 23, the South American displays the crossing capabilities of an established star, whipping the ball in around 1.3 times per 90. His pass success rate of 81% comes close to Dortmund’s Englishman and is a cut above current United winger Daniel James.
Whilst Jadon Sancho would be a landmark signing for the Red Devils, Buendía would prove more than ample as a cheaper option.
Ibrahim Sangaré | Defensive midfielder | 22 | Toulouse | Ivory Coast
Manchester United have been unable to find a perfect midfield for many seasons.
Many players have come and gone, been given too many minutes too early in their career or have played often through poor patches in form.
The introduction of Bruno Fernandes from Sporting CP in January has solved an abundance of issues for the Red Devils.
Whilst Fernandes has been replicating the elite passing and shooting statistics he attained in Portugal, the club still lack a defensive presence in midfield to shield the back four.
The ideal acquisition would be Toulouse youngster Ibrahim Sangaré.
Sangaré’s defensive attributes are remarkable for a player at the beginning of his career.
He has averaged 3.4 tackles per 90 minutes for Le Téfécé across 2019/20 - bettering the 2 produced by United’s Nemanja Matic
His speed and reflexes also make interceptions a strong point to his game.
He made 1.6 interceptions per 90 minutes this season, again outdoing the Serb on 1.2. His clearances have also saved embarrassment for Toulouse at times.
The Ivorian has already been impressing Ligue 1 spectators for two seasons despite his tender age.
Going forward, the African provided 1.1 key passes per 90 minutes and made 0.9 shots on average, proving that he isn’t totally unskilled in attack.
His pass success rate sits at a healthy 79%. At 22, this is a strong statistic and isn’t too far off the mark set by Matic on 83%.
Nemanja Matic certainly improved after the turn of the decade. Nevertheless, at 31, his best days are surely behind him.
A move for Ibrahim Sangaré would make total sense.
Toulouse, sit rock bottom of Ligue 1 in a season where their Ivorian talisman has been their only shining light.
He was valued at around £22m when linked with Everton in June 2019. However, his stock may have risen since then.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang | Striker | 30 | Arsenal | Gabon
Certainly the closest to being a household name on this list, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could prove a solid and reliable goal scorer for United over the next season or two.
United brought in Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo on loan from Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua in January.
The move was unpopular at the time but the former Watford man has proved doubters wrong with his performances on the field.
Ighalo would be a solid option on a permanent deal. However, should they want a more established and experienced centre-forward, Auba is the “champagne” alternative.
At 30, he is much older than my other two suggestions and may seem slightly out of place.
However, the Gabonese Gunner has been linked with a move away from Arsenal and, with his contract due to expire in the summer of 2021, he may be available at a snip.
Aubameyang has scored 17 goals in 26 league appearances for the North London side in 2019/20.
Although it may diminish over the next year or two, his pace is still phenomenal and speed is a trait modern-day managers cannot get enough of.
His 2.5 shots per game in 2019/20 isn’t on the level of Rashford’s 3.4 but his accuracy is superior.
In a new striker, the Red Devils should look for a player with a wealth of experience to dovetail with Marcus Rashford.
The Englishman has proven in the past few seasons that he is a superb goal scorer and is suited to the central attacking role.
Should a new forward be introduced, they need to be a veteran, in the fold for a year or two to help Rashford achieve his full and ever-growing potential.
He is still rarely dispossessed and rarely makes mistakes.
Aubameyang’s sheer experience could be invaluable in a youthful Manchester United offence and could really elevate Solskjaer’s side to the next level.
Would Manchester United challenge for the 2020/21 title with these acquisitions?
Have your say in the comments below.
Article by: George Hartley
Edited/formatted by: Samuel Slaney
Thumbnail by: Samuel Slaney
Images from: Getty Images, Action Images & Footy Renders