Managerial changes in the mid-season come with performance costs and leadership changes. After an unsatisfactory season for Manchester United, new head coach Ole Gunner Solksjaer has been tipped to be spending in the region £200 - £250 million for summer reinforcements in the window leading to the 19-20 season.
Even though the transfer window for English clubs have started on 16th May, the FIFA Transfer Matching System (TMS) opens on 11 June. The transfer window closes on 8th August 2019.
The Norwegian, who won the treble with Manchester United back in 1999 has also been in-charge of Malmo FK and Cardiff City FC before taking the reigns at Manchester United. It is expected he will make at least 4 signings for strengthening key positions that are now occupied by failing players.
The recent transfer targets are: -
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Matthijs De Ligt
James Maddison
Daniel James
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
The half English – half Congolese wing back broke into the first team in the 17/18 season under manager Frank De Boer and Roy Hodgson but only made 7 appearances that season. He made a staggering 39 appearances for the first team the last season and was a part of the starting 11 for 90%+ of the time. Regular at Right Back for The Eagles over the last season, he might be moving to United in the upcoming season while being the first choice right back ahead of Diogo Dalot.
With an average pass success of 73%, 1.7 dribbles, 3.7 tackles, 3.7 clearances and 2.4 interceptions per games he has the perfect balance of a wing-back for a 21-year-old wing back who can get better with time and influences in the locker room which Manchester United can provide to him. Moreover, with a long way to go in his career, the right move he can prove himself in Europa League in the upcoming season.
Matthijs De Ligt
De Ligt, a prodigy has been with the youth team since the age of 9. Made his appearance for Jong Ajax, the reserve team in the second league and made 17 appearances for the team. He also got his senior team cap that season and scored for the team thus becoming the second youngest goalscorer of the team. The Central Defender can play on both sides and on both footings. He also became the youngest player to play in a European Cup final when he started against Manchester United in the 2017 UEL final.
He also secured his place in the upcoming season and was announced as the youngest club captain in March 2018. He has a number of ‘youngest’ titles under his belt for Ajax. Netherland International is also the youngest player to start for the national team.
De Ligt, made 55 appearances in all competitions for the team in 18/19 season and has impressive stats like 4 clearances, 0.7 fouls, 1 block, 0.4 key passes, 67 passes per game and 89% pass success for a defender.
This is the kind of figure that Manchester United needs in the defence role to change the mentality of the team which has gone from Attacking free-flowing soccer to being dependable on certain players.
James Maddison
Maddison was a part of Coventry City's youth team, and was included in the first-team squad in the 2013–14 season, though did not make an appearance until August 2014 but as a substitute. He missed much of that season due to a back injury. In 2015-16 he was bought by Norwich City but was loaned back to Coventry for 2015-16 and Aberdeen in 16-17.
He got regular starts in the 17/18 season and was named the 2017/18 player of the season for Norwich after scoring 15 goals in 49 total appearances. The Attacking Midfielder was bought by Leicester in the 18/19 season and scored 7 goals and got 7 assists in 38 games where he got back to back goals from set pieces in matches.
With an 84% pass success percentage, 2.3 shots per game, 2.8 key passes per game, 1.9 crosses per game he is an attacking midfielder that Manchester United would benefit from after the release of Herrera and no good backup midfielders. Even in the first team, Pogba’s pressure to defend and put the ball in the box would be cut short by a midfielder who can actually pass the ball well.
Daniel James
Pacey Winger? Check.
Passer? Check.
Home Grown? Check.
Trickery? Check.
A product of the Hull City Academy he joined Swansea in 2014 in the U18 segment and started impressing already. He was an integral part of the U23 team by 2016 and went on numerous loans before making his first-team debut in February 2018.
He was in the first team for the season of 18/19 and was part of 28 matches altogether scoring 4 goals and getting 10 assists. The predominantly left winger had a deal accepted with Leeds United over a 10m deal only for it to fail due to the negligence of Swansea City. The Welsh International has also played in the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers and was selected by Ryan Giggs.
Daniel James could pose a threat for Anthony Martial and Sanchez’s place if he signs for United and starts improving or he could play in his second-best role, right wing.
With Manchester City, Liverpool strengthening their squads and getting ready to go for the long run, it’s high time United realises that it’s been 6 years since Sir Alex left and they still haven’t been able to rebuild their team.
