Here we take a fanciful look at our idea of which player from each of Manchester United’s main Premier League rivals they would love to have in their already talented squad, being Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea.
We aren’t saying these are the best players the respective teams have to offer – just who, we feel, would slot best into the current Manchester United squad/line up :
MANCHESTER CITY – Kevin De Bruyne (CM)
With Paul Pogba flattering to deceive and leaving the Manchester United midfield centre lacking creativity and drive, its fair to say the City’s Belgian sensation would certainly fit the bill should he swap City blue for United red. De Bruyne can unlock the tightest of defences with his radar like passing and vision, as well as having a real eye for goal himself. With United having the likes of Lukaku, Sanchez and Rashford for De Bruyne to work with, you would have to imagine he would be as potent at Old Trafford as he is for City. Maybe something of a no brainer this one!
LIVERPOOL – Virgil Van Dijk (CB)
Manchester United boast the Premier League’s second best defensive record, but there is still the feeling that their centre halves are a weak spot, with big question marks over Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly, whilst Marcus Rojo remains injured and Victor Lindelof struggling to make the grade at this level. Van Dijk came into Anfield from Southampton with a huge reputation and associated transfer fee, but, after a slowish start, he has already grown into the player the Reds hoped he would be and would seem to be their feature CB now for seasons to come. With United having a great reputation for long serving, quality, centre halves, Van Dijk would certainly fit that bill and likely be mentioned in the same breath as Vidic, Ferdinand, Bruce, Pallister, Stam and all the other greats that provide the base for United’s (normally) fluid attacking football.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR – Eric Dier (DM)
We strongly resist the urge to select Harry Kane as we don’t feel Romelu Lukaku is doing that bad – so we look to Dier, who has been linked previously with a move to Manchester United so this one could yet become a reality! Although United have the exceptional Nemanja Matic playing this role, boss Jose Mourinho loves doubling up at this position and we feel Dier would slot into this space beautifully – as well as future proofing the position as Matic is fast approaching 30. Dier has a great engine and reads the game excellently, and would give licence for his colleagues to press forward at will, whilst being able to support the raids himself – although his goals tally leaves a little to be desired. But his versatility would be a great boon also to the Manchester United cause – and we think he would be the one United would love to take from Spurs.
CHELSEA – Eden Hazard (FW)
How could they not? OK, we know that Alexis Sanchez was brought in to do this job, but even with Sanchez available, your mouth would salivate profusely with Hazard there also, with Lukaku spearheading this holy trinity of forwards. Hazard is as effective on the flanks as well as in a more central role, and can even press on to play two up top should United need someone closer to Lukaku. As talented as the likes of Rashford, Martial and Mata are, Hazard is a huge upgrade on all three, and we feel is the standout candidate the United would snatch from Stamford Bridge in a heartbeat if they could.
We reckon it would only cost Manchester United around £350/400 million to land this diamond quartet….but these are the ones we think would suit United best as things currently stand.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? DO YOU AGREE WITH OUR SELECTIONS? WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE? LET US KNOW BELOW!
