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Last summer, Manchester United went all out for highly-rated Borussia Dortmund winger and long-time transfer target Jadon Sancho. The youngster was set to be a dominant force at Old Trafford, capable of unlocking stubborn English defenses at will. Sadly, nothing has gone according to plan for the €85 million purchase.
Opportunities have come thick and fast for the 21-year-old, but his performances have largely been underwhelming. He often seems clueless about his role and rarely threatens the opposition with his pace and intelligent movements. So far, Sancho has featured in 23 games for Manchester United, scoring only two goals.
As expected, his disappointing return has drawn heavy criticism from pundits and fans alike, with many claiming United would have been better off investing in other players.
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Here, we will take a quick look at five players who could have bolstered Manchester United better than Sancho has this season:
#5 Jude Bellingham - Borussia Dortmund
Given how many attackers Manchester United already had at their disposal, they could have easily gone after a promising central midfielder.
Borussia Dortmund teenager Jude Bellingham is as good as it gets. Bellingham, who turns 19 in June, has already played exceptional football at Dortmund and is capable of improving almost any team in the world.
Had the Red Devils focused on stability rather than flamboyance last summer, they could have already had a capable midfield talent in their hands.
The Old Trafford unit have been rather poor with their distribution this season and having Bellingham would have surely helped their case.
As per reports, Ralf Rangnick’s side have decided to improve their midfield and are keeping tabs on Bellingham. Unfortunately, they will have to wait until the summer to start working on the potential transfer.
#4 Achraf Hakimi - Paris Saint-Germain
Manchester United are in dire need of a capable, attacking full-back. Their wing play has become embarrassingly static, with their overall goal-output taking a massive plunge as a result.
Without a second thought, United should have gone after Inter Milan’s wantaway star Achraf Hakimi when he became available last summer. But Paris Saint-Germain swooped in for him instead. The right-back is quick off his line, is a great crosser, and is even known to score a goal or two when needed.
The former Borussia Dortmund right-back has started in almost every game for PSG in Ligue 1. He has registered three goals and as many assists in the French top-flight already and is expected to hit double figures in goal contributions.
#3 Erling Haaland - Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund ace Erlind Haaland is on everyone’s wishlist right now, and Manchester United are no exception. However, given the sky-high demand for his signature at the moment, the Red Devils would have been better off signing him last summer itself.
The Old Trafford outfit currently have Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani as their primary striking options. However, with both forwards in the twilight of their careers, United will need a replacement sooner rather than later.
United can still technically go after the Norwegian next summer, but without a top-four finish, they are unlikely to be able to persuade him to join them.
#2 Pau Torres - Villarreal
Villarreal centre-back Pau Torres is one of the most sought-after defenders in the world right now. He is strong in one-on-one situations, is good at intercepting the ball, and has a knack for sniffing out danger.
Signing him last summer would have greatly increased United’s chance of keeping things nice and tidy at the back.
Manchester United skipper Harry Maguire has been nothing short of a massive liability this season. He has drawn heavy criticism from almost every football aficionado out there, with many insisting he is not up to United’s standards.
Had the Manchester club been proactive and paired Torres with Raphael Varane, they would have likely been in a considerably better position in the league.
#1 Declan Rice - West Ham United
Premier League’s dark horse for the season, West Ham United have done exceptionally well for themselves. They are currently fourth in the Premier League table and are giving other top-four aspirants a run for their money.
At the heart of their success, there’s been a solid defensive anchor who has single-handedly made a difference in the middle of the park.
Declan Rice has been firing on all cylinders since the start of the season, emerging as one of the best midfielders in the league. He is sharp, poised, and knows exactly how to play out of trouble.
Manchester United could have massively benefitted from a player of his caliber this season. With Rice anchoring the midfield, the likes of Paul Pogba would have had the freedom to surge ahead and wreak havoc on the opposition defense.
Rice is also believed to be on Manchester United’s wishlist for the summer. However, the Hammers are likely to be reluctant to sell their prized asset to a fellow top-four contender.
