Manchester United should raid Aston Villa for star trio Jack Grealish, John McGinn and Tyrone Mings, believes former Scotland international Alan Brazil.
The Red Devils are struggling badly under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, wallowing in 12th position in the Premier League ahead of a clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Solskjaer has focused on a transfer policy of young English players, bringing in Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James over the summer, and Brazil thinks he can continue this strategy by targeting Villa.
Grealish, McGinn and Mings have all impressed for the Villains, both in their promotion from the Championship and since arriving in the Premier League.
‘They could do worse than Mings, Grealish and McGinn if they are going to spend a couple of hundred million,’ Brazil said on talkSPORT.
‘If you are Ole and you go to [United executive vice-chairman] Ed Woodward that is who I would want. Do you not think those three would improve Manchester United?
‘Put the three of them in United’s side and I think they finish top five. I respect Villa, but Ole should buy the three of them.’
Brazil’s co-host Ally McCoist agreed with the assertion that the Villa trio would improve the United side, but that the bridge in quality to Liverpool and Manchester City would still be huge.
‘Of course I do [think the Villa players would improve the Red Devils].’ McCoist said.
‘But here’s my question: would those three make Manchester United better? Yes, of course they would.
‘But would they make them better so within a year they would challenge Manchester City and Liverpool?’
McGinn is the one of the three that has been linked with a move to Old Trafford in the past, with the Scot getting the seal of approval from former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
Former Aston Villa scout Bobby Jenks says that Fergie is confused why the Red Devils didn’t make an approach for the midfielder before the start of the season.
‘He’s up there with the best-performing midfielders in the division,’ Jenks told the Athletic.
‘Wait until he’s had a year at that level and then we can say more.
‘What I do know is that Sir Alex Ferguson is wondering why Manchester United let a talented Scottish boy slip through.
‘He’ll be keeping a close eye on him that’s for sure and if he continues the way he is, you can bet he’ll be telling his pals at United, too.’
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