10 FOR TEN
Handy guide to help stumped Reds
GOALKEEPERS 1 ILLAN MESLIER (Leeds)
David de Gea’s calamitous display in the 4-0 rout at Brentford underlined the need for competition, after
Dean Henderson went on loan to Nottingham Forest. Meslier, valued at £25m, is the ideal choice, adept at playing the ball out from the back as Erik ten Hag wants, and could ultimately replace De Gea.
2 MARTIN DUBRAVKA (Newcastle)
Newcastle’s capture of Nick Pope from Burnley has seen Dubravka demoted to No 2. With De Gea’s future as United’s No.1 far from certain, Dubravka could be tempted by the prospect of becoming first-choice at United.
DEFENDERS 3 PAU TORRES (Villarreal)
Spain international Torres has long been linked with a move to United’s neighbours, Manchester City, but has yet to leave Villarreal. Torres is a superb reader of the game, strong in the air and likes to bring the ball out from the back, all attributes that would suit the style of play Ten
Hag wants to impose.
4 JOSKO GVARDIOL (RB Leipzig)
Just 20, Gvrardiol (left) already has 10 caps for Croatia and is emerging as one of the most promising central defenders in Europe. United have signed a left-footed centre-back in Lisandro Martinez but recruiting Gvardiol would allow Ten Hag to push Martinez into midfield, where he played at times for Ajax.
MIDFIELDERS 5 DECLAN RICE (West Ham)
Ten Hag admitted in preseason he would like to sign
English players but they are simply too expensive. United are unwilling to meet West Ham’s £100m valuation of England midfielder Rice (inset bottom), although he is precisely the profile of the player they need to build their midfield around.
6 KONRAD LAIMER
(RB Leipzig)
United’s former interim boss Ralf Rangnick recommended Laimer to the club before he was jettisoned after his unsuccessful spell in charge.
The Austria international (above) would suit the high-pressing style Ten Hag wants to play and would be in United’s price range at around £30m.
7 RUBEN NEVES (Wolves)
Another technically gifted, highpressing midfielder, Neves has been on United’s radar for some time and scored a 25-yard wonder goal against them in a 1-1 draw in August 2019. At 25, and with five seasons in the Premier League, he would slot in seamlessly at United.
WINGER
8 JARROD BOWEN (West Ham)
Liverpool were heavily linked to Bowen before signing Luis Diaz but
the West Ham and England wide man would be a superb fit for United. West Ham would be reluctant to sell and, with three years left on his contract, United would have to pay up to £70m for him – but it would be worth it.
STRIKERS 9 CHRISTOPHER NKUNKU (RB Leipzig)
Another player recommended to United by Rangnick, Nkunku’s versatility in being able to play anywhere across the forward line makes him a shrewd investment. A right-footed forward, adept at beating opponents and with impressive pace and finishing, the 24-year-old France international, valued at around £65m, would immediately improve United’s attacking threat.
10 ANTHONY GORDON (Everton)
Chelsea have seen a £45m bid for Gordon (below) rejected but United could go in with a higher offer to try to land the highly-rated Everton forward. United sent a scout to Goodison Park on the opening weekend of the season to assess Gordon, 21, a fearless and forthright forward, who would add some much-needed impetus to their limp attack.