The Red Devils have a number of possible additions in their sights as they look to build a squad which can win the Premier League in 2018-19
Having finished 19 points behind neighbours Manchester City in 2017-18, Manchester United headed into the summer knowing that there was plenty of work to be done in the transfer market to mount a serious challenge next season.
They have already added Fred to their midfield supplies and brought in Diogo Dalot as another full-back option, as well as signing Lee Grant as their third-choice goalkeeper, but there are still a number of players in their sights.
Below, Goal goes through 10 of the targets they have in their sights, starting with the more serious possibilities and working down to those who are consider back-up possibilities.
Getty Images1Leonardo Bonucci
AC Milan’s financial issues, which have seen them ruled out of the Europa League for the coming season, may well lead to them allowing a couple of major assets to leave. And with a €14m annual salary, Leonardo Bonucci is currently one of the biggest financial liabilities the Rossoneri have.
United have been credited with an interest by some reports in Italy, and Mourinho’s desire to add a centre-back means a move may not be out of the question.
But United’s name may well be being used as leverage for Milan to get a better deal, with PSG among those potentially being enticed to splash out on a man who cost €40m last summer when leaving Juventus for San Siro.
Advertisement2Milan Skriniar
Inter defender Milan Skriniar has caused quite a stir with his performances in Serie A of late, and United are known to be big admirers. The 23-year-old was a stand-out in the Nerazzurri’s run to Champions League qualification in 2017-18 and it prompted United to show a serious interest.
But Skriniar told the Slovakian FA website earlier this summer that his current club had taken a decision out of his hands by rejecting United’s approach. “I’m glad they are interested in me, but Inter decided what they decided so I cannot say anything more about it. However, I am satisfied.”
That would appear to end the story on Skriniar for this summer at least, unless United decide to go for a bank-busting offer rather than seek out a deal with one of their higher priorities.
Getty3Harry Maguire
World Cups are rarely the shop windows they used to be given the vast scale of knowledge of the global club scene these days, but it is fair to say that Maguire’s stock has risen markedly after taking to the international stage with great confidence during England’s run to the semi-final in Russia.
With Leicester City likely to want a huge return on their £17m investment last summer, United would have to part with a sizeable sum for the 25-year-old but Mourinho could be persuaded that he is the best option as he looks to add a centre-half with Premier League experience and a degree of comfort in possession.
Getty4Ante Rebic
While Croatia team-mate Perisic has been a long-term target, Ante Rebic has been thrust into United’s view following his performances at this summer’s World Cup.
Though the club have watched him develop with Eintracht Frankfurt over the last couple of years, it has been his form with his country over the last month which has had them believing he may be a good fit at Old Trafford.
Mourinho’s insistence that he already has what he needs in attack doesn’t tally with a move for both Perisic and Rebic unless there are to be outgoings too, but United might well decide that the 24-year-old is a worthwhile addition for the longer term regardless of whether he was initially a part of their transfer plan.