RYAN GIGGS reckons Manchester United need five new players to bring back the glory days to Manchester United.
United are in a real rot, without an away with in the Premier League since February and lost at Newcastle yesterday.
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But as the pressure mounts on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, he will need serious financial backing when the transfer window opens in January.
So SunSport assesses five players that Ed Woodward might try and sign to turn around the Red Devils’ fortunes.
Christian Eriksen
The Spurs playmaker is clearly not happy. He said after the Champions League final he wants to leave.
And it appears nothing has changed this season – if anything, he is even more unhappy, playing in every game but registering just one goal and one assist.
With his contract up at the end of the season, Eriksen could agree a move abroad for free from January or Manchester United could swoop with a cut-priced deal.
Jadon Sancho
No doubt about it, Jadon Sancho is one of the most exciting young footballers in the world – and someone who would drastically improve the Red Devils’ attack, albeit for a fee well in excess of £100million.
They are currently starting with Andreas Pereira on the right – no disrespect but the two are simply incomparable as wingers.
One has six goals and eight assists this season, the other has one goal since October 2017 (and 12 yellow cards). No wonder United have already held talks with Borussia Dortmund.
James Maddison
Leicester’s No10 has been one of the standout players in an exciting Foxes team this season, with three goals and two assists.
He teed up Wilfred Ndidi to rescue a point at Chelsea then set up Jamie Vardy at Sheffield United but his biggest moment of the season was bagging the winner against Spurs late on. A creative player who loves the ball at his feet, brilliant at set pieces and hungry to go to the top, Maddison would be an improvement on United’s current options.
But at this moment in time, why would he want to leave the King Power for Old Trafford? Plus Leicester are unlikely to let him leave for anything less than the £80m Harry Maguire went for, if not more.
Mario Mandzukic
He may not scream vintage Manchester United – but who does at the club at the minute?
The Croatian striker would offer a different attacking option, playing through the middle and allowing Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial the chances to feature out wide where they are arguably more dangerous.
His headed goalscoring record is brilliant – unlike United’s – and would no doubt be fairly easy to get hold of after being frozen out at Juventus this season.
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Declan Rice
West Ham’s three-time Young Hammer of the Year is showing all the attributes of being one of the best holding midfielders in the top flight.
Together with Scott McTominay, the pair would provide a defensive nous but also the range of passing necessary at Old Trafford.
Nemanja Matic’s days at the club appear numbered, Fred has simply not been good enough and Paul Pogba cannot be trusted in a disciplined, defensive role, especially against the big boys. Miss out on Rice and he may well be heading to the blue side of Manchester instead.
