With a new manager at the helm and untold millions to spend, it looks set to be a very exciting and expensive summer transfer window at Manchester United.
In fact, the Red Devils have already sealed one signing in the form of defender Eric Bailly, who arrives from Villarreal to become Jose Mourinho’s first official acquisition as United boss.
But who should follow Bailly to Old Trafford? Which target should Manchester United focus their transfer attentions on next?
Earlier this week, we gave you the chance to have your say on United’s summer by giving a simple thumbs up or thumbs down to 22 of their top targets – and we now have the results.
So Football FanCast are delighted to exclusively reveal the ten transfer targets Man United fans want their club to sign most before the start of 2016/17.
Agree with this list? Disagree? Is there someone we missed out? Let us know by commenting below!
10. MARQUINHOS
Ranking in at No.10 is defender Marquinhos, an apparent £40million target for Manchester United. The Brazil international hasn’t flourished as expected since signing for PSG in 2013, finding himself stuck behind countrymen David Luiz and Thiago Silva in the pecking order, but remains highly-rated through a mix of versatility, athleticism and natural Selecao technique.
9. TONI KROOS
United allegedly pulled the plug on a deal to sign Toni Kroos in summer 2014 and have been tipped to revive their interest amid rumours the German international is unhappy at the Bernabeu. Arguably the top deep-lying playmaker in world football, oozing intelligence and impeccable technique, he may be slightly beyond United’s reach this summer without the incentive of Champions League football.
8. MIRALEM PJANIC
Jose Mourinho reportedly wants to add Miralem Pjanic’s attacking flair to Manchester United’s engine room and a fair segment of Red Devils fans would appear to support such a swoop according to our poll. But rumour has it the Bosnian international, who bagged ten goals and twelve assists for Roma in Serie last season, is on the verge of signing for Juventus.
7. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
We expected Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to be a little higher on this list, having just come to the end of the most potent campaign of his career with 39 goals across all competitions. But Manchester United supporters may have been put off by news the Borussia Dortmund striker is in advanced talks to sign for bitter rivals Manchester City – not to mention his apparent £70million price-tag.
6. Saul Niguez
Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez narrowly misses out on a spot in the top six – by just 21 votes – following what has been a fantastic season for the youngster at Vincente Calderon. The Mattress Makers’ march to the Champions League final has springboarded the 21-year-old to superstardom following a superb assist against Barcelona and an incredible solo goal to help clinch victory over Bayern Munich. Manchester United are known admirers but the Spaniard has committed his future to Diego Simeone’s side – both verbally and in the form of a new contract.
5. John Stones
It’s been a difficult season for John Stones but the Everton defender still finds himself in our poll’s top five for obvious reasons. Manchester United need a long-term partner to Chris Smalling and the 22-year-old is one of the most exciting centre-backs in world football at the minute, laden with unique agility, technique and attacking flair. The Red Devils, Chelsea and City are all chasing the £45million-rated prodigy but recent reports suggest Everton will refuse to sell again this summer.
4. Antoine Griezmann
Capable of playing out wide or centrally, Antoine Griezmann would address a number of deficiencies in Manchester United’s attack. Another phenomenal season at Atletico Madrid has seen the France international bag 32 goals across all competitions and be repeatedly linked with Manchester United, who were reportedly willing to activate his £63million release clause. But recent reports claim the 25-year-old has just signed a contract extension with Diego Simeone’s side, suggesting he won’t be on the move this summer.
3. RAPHAEL VARANE
Another potential partner to Chris Smalling and the most popular on this list with an impressive 925 up-votes. Jose Mourinho once dubbed Raphael Varane the best young defender in world football and has inevitably been tipped to swoop for the French centre-back this summer. He’s the total package at the age of 23, combining a fantastic reading of the game with physicality and confidence on the ball, but Real Madrid certainly won’t let him leave on the cheap.
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2. Zlatan Ibraimovic
Surprisingly enough, Zlatan Ibrahimovic didn’t top our poll, despite his move to Manchester United being seemingly a done deal. The Sweden international is set to arrive from PSG on a free transfer after firing the French club to four consecutive titles with 156 goals in 180 appearances across all competitions and even at the age of 34, remains one of the best strikers in the business.
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1. Paul Pogba
Seeing Paul Pogba at the top of our poll is no great surprise, having flourished into arguably the top midfielder in world football since leaving Manchester United for Juventus back in summer 2012. Indeed, the France international is somewhere between Yaya Toure and Patrick Vieira on the goalscoring enforcer spectrum and United fans are undoubtedly scratching their heads as to why he was allowed to leave four years ago. Some sources claim the Red Devils have already tabled a £60million bid for the23-year-old, but they face competition from all across Europe and the Premier League.
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