5 players Manchester United could have signed instead of Jadon Sancho

#3 Erling Haaland - Borussia Dortmund

FC St Pauli v Borussia Dortmund - DFB Cup: Round of Sixteen

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.

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#2 Pau Torres - Villarreal

Villarreal CF v Manchester United - UEFA Europa League Final

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.

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#1 Declan Rice - West Ham United

Crystal Palace v West Ham United - Premier League

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.