Despite there being one game left of the campaign, Manchester United’s season ended with a whimper against Huddersfield on Sunday, with their 1-1 draw making it mathematically impossible for the Red Devils to secure Champions League football for next season.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer now faces a big summer at the club. There will no doubt be a huge upheaval when it comes to the playing staff as United look to close the gap on the Premier League leaders, and they have been linked with some very exciting names such as Jadon Sancho.
But how would these potential future United stars fit in tactically at Old Trafford, and which of the current playing staff face being banished out into the cold?
United are also tipped to make a move for Crystal Palace’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
It’s no surprise United are expected to improve their faltering defence, but whilst their struggles at the back have been well-publicised, their issues in attack have seemingly gone under the radar; they have managed just four goals in their previous seven matches.
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Although his impact in defence would be welcomed, the arrival of Wan-Bissaka could bring more balance and threat to United’s attack.
This season in the league, he has averaged 3.29 successful dribbles per 90 minutes. This betters any current right-back in the United squad and ranks him second overall in this department in terms of Premier League right-backs who have played over 1000 league minutes this season.
A blueprint for all the top sides across Europe is their ability to play out through the keeper and into their defence. United’s centre-backs aren’t regarded for their ball playing abilities, therefore Solskjaer’s men will often look to build attacks through the wings, usually relying on the likes of Luke Shaw on the left or Ashley Young on right to commence these attacks.
Whilst Shaw continues to prove his worth, an ageing Young has proved problematic at times. That is not to say he has not been a fantastic servant to the club, but if United want to close the gap on those sides above them, replacing him with a 21-year-old future Premier League star could prove a very wise investment.
Further up the field, United are also interested in West Ham’s standout midfielder Declan Rice.
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Rice started life as a centre-back but his obvious technical abilities have saw him develop into an impressive central midfielder.
He is a great reader of danger and has averaged 5.1 interceptions per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season. Rice also boasts a phenomenal touch in tight areas which is instrumental for him transitioning his side from defensive situations into attacking ones.
Above all else though, it’s his ball playing abilities that make him such an attractive proposition. He boasts the fourth best passing success rate of any central midfielders in the Premier League with an average of 89.94%.
Rice’s potential arrival at Old Trafford could bridge the gap that has often been exposed by the opposition in the middle of the pitch this season.
Too many times, deep-lying United midfielders such as Fred, Nemanja Matic and Scott McTominay have not been disciplined positionally. They have often been caught pushing towards the ball whilst their defensive line drops, leaving large spaces in between the lines to expose.
Rice has been a master of marshaling these areas for West Ham this season and could finally be the long overdue replacement for Michael Carrick in that area.
United continue to seek more up front, too. Long-time United target Jadon Sancho has lit up the Bundesliga with his ostentatious, energy-filled style of play this season. His pace, close-footed dribbling and direct nature have put him on the radar across Europe and made him one of Dortmund’s prized assets.
Comfortable on either side of the pitch, so far, the wide man has registered an astonishing 11 league goals and 13 league assists. Despite being only 19, he is one of Dortmund’s key creative sparks and ranks second at his club in terms of key passes per 90 minutes, averaging 0.47.
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Whilst there is no doubt he is an unbelievable talent, if Sancho does arrive at Old Trafford in the summer, United must be prepared to amend their tactical set up to accommodate the teenager.
As it stands, Solskjaer relies predominantly on a 4-4-2 with a diamond midfield. However for Dortmund, Sancho plays extremely wide, often as a winger.
As a result, his arrival could see Solskjaer revert to a 4-3-3, a formation he has experimented with several times this season.
He would also need to try and deploy tactics that replicate the ones of Dortmund manager Lucien Favre. The Swiss manager focuses on possession and positional tactics, all whilst looking to control the ball and build up from the back.
This allows them to carve openings through the opposition utilising their full backs, midfielders and wingers. As it stands, United have the lowest ball possession average of any side in the top six - although Solskjaer has made his intentions clear that he wants to build a side capable of dominating possession of the ball.
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If Sancho remains in the Bundesliga, the club could then turn their attentions to Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Like Sancho, he too is versatile in attack, although the English international favours the left side of the pitch where he can play out wide or occupy the half spaces.
He is explosive and extremely skillful, but additionally, his 6ft frame makes him really unique for defenders to deal with because not only does he pose a threat with the ball at his feet, he is also a danger when the ball is played in the air.
The arrival of these two could spell trouble for United’s current most prominent wingers, Anthony Martial and Alexis Sanchez.
Former Arsenal man Sanchez has struggled ever since his arrival at Old Trafford and could leave in the summer, however Martial has at times been a fans favourite.
However this season, the Frenchman has registered just two league assists and has received plenty of criticism for his sub-par displays.
Hudson-Odoi on the other hand has registered five assists despite playing 1021 minutes less than his French rivals.
In Hudson-Odoi and Sancho, Solskjaer would have two extremely lethal flank players capable of marshaling the Old Trafford touchline for years to come.
Both would be worthy of making any tactical amendments required in order to allow both players flourish.
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