The José Mourinho revolution has begun at Old Trafford, and the £30 million signing of defender Eric Bailly shows that the former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss means business.
After three years of frustrating football under David Moyes and Louis Van Gaal, it is expected that the cheque-book will be opened quite a lot this summer at Old Trafford, not least because their neighbours will be busy too, with the notorious Pep Guardiola walking through the door this pre-season.
With that in consideration, perhaps the United scouts will have their eyes on the European Championships this summer. With a lot of Europe’s best stars on show, the temptation to sign the next star is one that could really appeal. Over the next few pages, we have chosen what may be the three best options. Feel free to leave your thoughts on the selection in the comments below.
Ivan Perisic
There can be no doubt that of all the midfields on display in France this summer, Croatia has one of the most naturally talented. With the metronomic midfielder Luka Modric and the Barcelona star Ivan Rakitic, the forwards up top for the Vatreni are unlikely to be short of supply.
Yet, whilst the battling Mario Mandzukic has looked rather blunt up top, the same cannot be said for their winger Ivan Perisic. The Croatian may play wide, but he is not someone who will beat his man to put in a cross as often as Ryan Giggs did during his time at Old Trafford.
Perisic is an entirely different type of wide-man. Crucially for a Mourinho favourite, he is not just a hard-worker, but physical and lethal in front of goal. At 6’2, the 27-year-old is very good in the air and was their top scorer in qualifying for the tournament.
Having moved to Mourinho’s old club Inter last summer, he would be quite pricey, but if he can replicate his country form at Old Trafford, there is almost no doubt that he would be worth it.