Manchester United will undoubtedly sign players in the summer,
For the final few years of Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign, other than when they signed Robin van Persie in 2012, United rarely made a splash in the summer transfer window.
While David Moyes could only get Marouane Fellaini in his first transfer window, and Juan Mata in the winter window, before being sacked, Louis van Gaal also had a mixed record when signing players during his time at Old Trafford.
Angel Di Maria and Memphis Depay, in particular, would prove to be poor signings for the Dutchman.
Jose Mourinho was more decisive than his predecessors in the transfer market. He signed Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Paul Pogba and Eric Bailly last summer.
What was he doing? https://t.co/hwHT1I7s62
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However, according to Rio Ferdinand, United still need to strengthen their squad with at least four players, including Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann.
“For four years running he’s scored 20-plus goals for Atletico Madrid in Spain and has genuine class and ability,” the former United and England defender wrote in his column for the Sunday Times.
Ferdinand also said United are lacking a powerful midfielder, and reckons Tiemoue Bakayoko, or his Monaco midfield partner Fabinho, would be ideal.
Rio also claimed that United need someone to replace Michael Carrick, who will be 36 in the summer. But it won’t be easy to find a midfielder capable of dictating the team’s tempo.
“The types I’d go for are Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, but you’re not going to prise them from Real Madrid. I like Adrien Rabiot at Paris Saint-Germain, and Saul Niguez of Atletico Madrid is another candidate.
“These are top players and will cost an arm and a leg.”
And the former United defender said Mourinho’s team lack pace in wide areas, and Bayern Munich winger Douglas Costa would be ideal.
“He’s an electric player with pedigree who is not always in Bayern’s starting line-up and he’d be worth paying big money for. United have always played with wingers and you’ve got Ibrahimovic to feed in the air.
“But most of all, the team needs legs.”
