Manchester United’s summer recruitment plans
Last weekend, during his podcast for Sky Sports, Gary Neville discussed what Man United plan to do this summer.
Neville made his comments within the context of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s appointment as the club’s full-time manager.
Solskjaer has agreed a three-year deal to coach the Red Devils.
For Neville, the timing of Solskjaer’s contract reflected the massive recruitment job facing United. He said:
There are four or five players (Man United) want to keep who are out of contract.
There are four or five players (Solskjaer) will need to bring in. And there are probably four or five players he needs to get out.
Over the next two or three months there are 12 live situations… and that needs a good wheeler-dealer behind the scenes.
Manchester United target 12 summer deals
On Thursday in the Times, reporter Paul Hirst has built on Neville’s comments.
Hirst believes that Man United are planning a major overhaul of their squad this summer.
The club are looking at 12 different deals in an effort to close the gap on Liverpool and Man City:
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could discard as many as six players, including Alexis Sánchez, this summer as the Manchester United manager looks to build a squad capable of challenging for the Premier League title next season.
United’s usual transfer policy is to bring in three players and sell three each summer but that number may be doubled in both instances given that the club are some way behind their rivals.
Alexis Sanchez leads the sales
On Alexis Sanchez, readers are told that Solskjaer holds total power over his future.
If OGS wants to sell him the club will try to make that happen.
Saying that, the Times note that “it will be hard to find a club willing to pay his wages of £350,000 a week”.
United fans are also told decisively that Antonio Valencia, Marcos Rojo and Matteo Darmian will all be sold this summer.
Juan Mata and Ander Herrera are also likely to leave Old Trafford. Both Spaniards are free agents at the end of the campaign.
One player who won’t be allowed the leave, however, is David De Gea. Man United remain determined to agree a new deal with the keeper.
Who are Man United targeting?
When it comes to possible signings, Man United’s transfer strategy is outlined as follows:
They also want to sign a right back, at least one centre half, a forward and one or two midfielders.
The Times then name-drop a series of players: West Ham’s Declan Rice, Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi, BVB’s Jadon Sancho, Crystal Palace’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Atletico Madrid’s Saul Niguez, Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane and finally Benfica’s Joao Felix.
Liverpool & Man City
It’s worth noting the job Man United have on the hands to close the gap on rivals Liverpool and Man City.
While Man United have 61 points from 32 games this season, Man City have 80 points and Liverpool are on 79.
Also see: Paul Ince believes Paul Pogba will leave Manchester United this summer.
Everyone saw how Phil Jones reacted to the Wolves winner vs Man United.
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