After a busy week of transfer activity, Manchester United look poised to complete early business via the signings of Shakhtar Donetsk’s Fred and FC Porto’s Diogo Delot, after sources reported both were due for medicals in the coming days.
Jose Mourinho’s men finished runners-up in both the Premier League and FA Cup, and will be eager to go one better this year.
The 55-year-old has spoken of the need for reinforcements, and will be looking for a marquee signing to give the Red Devils the edge over their rivals Manchester City, who stormed to the title last term.
With a summer full of football, there are sure to be twists and turns in the transfer market. Billy Cundall looks to Sky Bet for odds on potential incomings to Old Trafford…
Gareth Bale – 11/4 (with Sky Bet)
Welshman Gareth Bale produced one of the best cameo performances when he stepped onto the pitch in Kiev last month.
The Real Madrid winger came on midway through the second-half of the Champions League final and almost instantaneously scored a spectacular overhead kick followed by a long range strike that secure Real their fourth title in five years.
However, after the game, Bale was not as ecstatic as one would imagine. The 28-year old didn’t hold back with his post-match comments, stressing that he felt he should have been in the starting line-up, and that if first-team opportunities were not going to be regular then he would look elsewhere.
Manchester United will have been listening intently, and could choose to pounce to try bring the ex-Spurs star to Manchester.
Bale has already proved his adaptability to the Premier League, and if fit, could be one of the league’s top players once more. United are top of the betting if Bale choose to leave Spain at 11/4.
Cristiano Ronaldo – 7/1 (with Sky Bet)
Bale’s fellow Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo was also coy with his comments after the Champions League final, thanking the Madridistas for his time in Spain, and explaining he will make a decision in the coming days regarding his future.
If the Portugal star does choose to move on, the Red Devils will feel they’re ideally placed to land the five-time ballon d’Or winner, having previously played at Old Trafford in the years that kick-started his illustrious career.
United are behind PSG in the betting, but Mourinho might feel he could prize CR7 if the price is right.
Alex Sandro – evens (with Sky Bet)
Juventus defender Alex Sandro has been a constant source of transfer speculation for Manchester United.
The full-back is highly rated for his electric pace and wicked left foot. United are even money to sign the Brazilian, who failed to make the World Cup squad, and may feel his opportunities may be better served in the Premier League.
The move would make sense for United, who look set to move on England international Luke Shaw after his dismal spell at Old Trafford following his initial £27m move from Southampton in 2014.
Danny Rose – 7/4 (with Sky Bet)
If Luke Shaw is to leave, another viable option to replace him would be Tottenham’s Danny Rose.
The pace driven full-back has fallen out of favour at Spurs, having played second fiddle to Wales’ Ben Davies throughout last season, so may be looking for a route out of London.
United could see Rose as the ideal replacement, with the Englishman possessing a physical and attacking play-style that would suit Mourinho’s desires.
Toby Alderweireld – 4/6 (with Sky Bet)
Toby Alderweireld could be another Tottenham player on his way out of the door.
The Spurs centre-back reportedly endured a fractious relationship with manager Mauricio Pochettino towards the end of last season and, with the rise of Colombian centre-back Davinson Sanchez, Alderweireld could find himself surplus to requirements.
Manchester United are odds-on 4/6 to sign the Belgian, who would be certain to fix their defensive worries.
Antoine Griezmann – 13/2 (with Sky Bet)
Last summer it seemed that Antoine Greizmann was a certainty to make the switch to United, but the stars didn’t align, and the Frenchman remained an Atletico Madrid player.
The 27-year-old has since been in fantastic form, and drawn admirers from all over the planet.
Most recently, Barcelona have been linked with the striker, and remain top of the betting to secure his services.
However, the Red Devils could feel as though they could reignite the spark and tempt the Atleti forward to join Mourinho’s ranks.
Harry Maguire – 6/4 (with Sky Bet)
Leicester City defender Harry Maguire has ensured a whirlwind two years.
From supporting England at Euro 2016 in France with his friends to being in contention for a starting spot at this summer’s World Cup, Maguire has seen his stock skyrocket since his impressive performances at Hull City.
The centre-back could improve United’s centre of defence, which has been a source of inconsistency and rotation throughout Mourinho’s tenure, and the Portuguese coach may identify the 25-year old as the key solution to remedy this.
Malcom – 13/5 (with Sky Bet)
Bordeaux winger Malcom has lit up the French Ligue 1 in the past few months, drawing plaudits for some of Europe’s most attractive suitors.
The talented Brazilian has gained attention from the likes of Chelsea, United and Madrid for his flair and dribbling abilities, but the Red Devils look like front runners to land the 21-year-old this summer.
Willian – 11/8 (with Sky Bet)
If Chelsea do win the race for Malcom, perhaps it would leave the door open for Brazilian international Willian to depart Stamford Bridge.
The energetic winger has played a pivotal role in Chelsea’s success in recent years, but a social media outburst from the 29-year old has cast doubts over his future in London with United looking his most likely destination if he leaves.
Marco Verratti – 7/2 (with Sky Bet)
Another star that is set to miss the World Cup is Italy’s Marco Verratti.
A season of shortcomings saw the 25-year-old struggle in the Champions League with PSG before losing out on a World Cup place in Russia after a play-off loss to Sweden.
These disappointments may make the Italian reconsider his future, with United set to swoop-in should PSG reluctantly sell.
The battling central midfielder is notorious for his energy and tenaciousness, and Mourinho could welcome him into the centre of the park for the 2018/19 season.
Page last updated at 1445 BST (05/06/18)