5 players Manchester United could buy to win the Premier League

It’s fair to say that it has been a turbulent couple of seasons for Manchester United under Jose Mourinho. The Special One came to Old Trafford in 2016, with the job of returning former glories to the club, which hadn’t been seen since Sir Alex Ferguson’s time at the club, and certainly hadn’t been recreated by David Moyes and Louis van Gaal.

Mourinho’s first season was a relative success, winning the double of the League Cup and Europa League, therefore qualifying for the Champions League, making up for the disappointing sixth place finish in the Premier League.

It was expected that Mourinho would look to go big in his next year, and continue the excellent record he has in the second season at a club. He did lead his side to second place, but they were comfortably behind Manchester City, and there was clear disharmony amongst the squad.

That particular disharmony mainly involved Luke Shaw, who was constantly, and harshly, publicly criticised by Mourinho, with some even suggesting it was humiliating for the young full back. The likes of Matteo Darmian, Chris Smalling and Anthony Martial also came in for regular criticism in public.

All four of them could be sold this summer, but that will not rid Mourinho of all his problems. He still needs to work out how to get the best out of Paul Pogba, as France have done at the World Cup this summer. He will also hope for more consistency from his attacking players, who often failed to produce when Mourinho needed them to the most last season.

Manchester United have already signed Fred, Diego Dalot and Lee Grant so far this summer. They are all good players, but none of them are game changers who will take them to the Premier League title. Here are five men who could make the difference for United.

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#1 Alex Sandro (Juventus)

Sandro is one of the best full backs in the world

One area where Mourinho should really be looking to strengthen is left-back. Ashley Young played there for much of last season, and although he did a decent job, he isn’t a natural there, and occasionally looked out of his depth against the strongest opponents. It might be useful to keep him around as a squad player, but he isn’t a good enough full back to start for a team challenging for a title.

United will want a top left back if they are to close the gap on Manchester City, and there aren’t many better in the world than Alex Sandro. The Brazilian has been a key man for Juventus during his three seasons in Italy, and at 27, is approaching the peak of his powers. He is the perfect modern full back, and is as good in the defensive third as he is in the attacking third. He wouldn’t come cheap for United, but he would certainly be worth the fee.

#2 Harry Maguire (Leicester City)

Maguire was brilliant for England at the World Cup

Maguire has become somewhat of a cult hero in England after his impressive World Cup performances. He was sensational for the Three Lions in Russia, and played a key role as they reached their first World Cup semi-final since 1990. It is no surprise that this has attracted attention in Maguire, and Manchester United are one of those team credited with an interest in the Leicester City centre back.

United will be disappointed that they didn’t anticipate Maguire’s improvement in performances before the World Cup, as that has undoubtedly raised Leicester’s asking price, which is believed to be £75 million. He is a solid centre half though, and there aren’t many defenders as reliable on the market this summer. United have some decent centre backs already at the club, but all of them are error prone, and Maguire is certainly someone who keeps mistakes to a minimum.

#3 Ante Rebic (Eintracht Frankfurt)

Rebic announced himself on the world stage in Russia

Another area where Mourinho will be looking for reinforcements this summer is on the right of midfield, where they look a little short. Juan Mata has often played there, but he is much more capable playing central behind the striker, leaving Jesse Lingard as the only man they can get the best of on the right, and because of this, Rebic could be the perfect man to come to Old Trafford.

He is another man whose value will be vastly greater because of his performances at the World Cup in Russia, where he helped lead Croatia to their first final. He is very much a traditional winger, as he is very direct and will look to get to the byline and put crosses into the box. With Romelu Lukaku up front, this will suit United, and he is certainly someone Mourinho should be taking a look at.

#4 Andrea Belotti (Torino)

Belotti's playing style is similar to that of Romelu Lukaku

Belotti was one of the most sought after players in Europe last summer after scoring 26 goals in Serie A. He was linked with a move to Chelsea and AC Milan, but eventually stuck with Torino for another year. He struggled to have as big an impact last year, and due to suffering with niggling injuries for much of the campaign, and scored just 13 goals in all competitions. That shouldn’t put United off signing him this summer though.

Obviously, a striker won’t be top of Mourinho’s wishlist, given that he already has Romelu Lukaku at his disposal, and he has proven himself to be a top striker. But after that, there isn’t too much. Anthony Martial is likely to leave the club, after telling them he is unhappy, while Marcus Rashford is more of a threat out on the left wing. Belotti is that physical player that Mourinho has always liked up front in English football, ever since he bought Didier Drogba to Chelsea. Belotti is strong, powerful, and knows where the goal is, so would act as both competition and back up to Lukaku.

#5 Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich)

Alcantara is an excellent passer of the ball

One of the conundrums for Mourinho to work out for the upcoming season is how to get the best out of Paul Pogba. France managed this by giving him less defensive responsibility, and more freedom going forward. However they did this by partnering him with N’Golo Kante in the centre of the park, and he does the running of two players. United don’t have a player like that, and as a matter of fact, no one other than Chelsea does. Therefore, United will have to find another way to get the best out of their French superstar.

One way they could do this is to play Pogba behind the striker, with two midfielders in behind him. If they do that, they haven’t really got another player as capable of linking defence and attack. Thiago can do that, and is as good a passer of the ball as anyone. He will strengthen United in midfield, as he is someone who sees passes others don’t, and with the likes of Fred and Nemanja Matic already at Old Trafford, would make United pretty formidable in the centre of the park. Obviously, this one is a bit of a wildcard, and it would be a real surprise to see it go through.