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Ole’s at the wheel: How much better can it feel for United?

Qasim Mujtaba Naqvi·
Manchester United
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Who should come in?

Loads of room on United’s wage bill will be freed up if these players are let go. With some quality talent rumoured to be available, this could be a great window for the Red Devils. Some options are fairly obvious, while others could prove to be shrewd pick-ups.

Already on the books

GK: Joel Pereira/Dean Henderson

Both these young goalies have been on loan for the past two seasons. Henderson was part of the Team of the Year in League One in 2016-17 and then moved to Sheffield United, who are likely to be promoted to the Premier League this year. Pereira, on the other hand, has been impressive in spells at Belenenses, Vitória de Setúbal, and K.V. Kortrijk. If Sergio Romero does leave, it’ll open up a place in the squad which either player can take. Both fulfil the home-grown quota that Premier League clubs value, and offer a decent back-up option. If needed, they could even replace David de Gea – United fans and Ole will hope it doesn’t come to that.

CB: Axel Tuanzebe

Axel Tuanzebe is a former Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year, who has gone from strength to strength since his debut for United in January 2017. He has since been on loan at Aston Villa, having done well enough to be loaned out to them for a second season. Moreover, Axel has shown he can do the job in midfield too, earning praise from former England stalwart John Terry while at Villa. If Jones or Rojo were to leave, United and Ole would already have a project waiting to be worked on – potentially saving millions for the club..

RB/CB/CDM: Timothy Fosu-Mensah

The fact that TFM, as fans call him, can fill three different positions as well as anyone is testament to his ability. His contract ends next year, but United should push for a renewal for someone who’s consistenly impressed since his debut in 2016. He’s flourished during his subsequent loan spells at Crystal Palace, and then done fairly well for a Fulham team devoid of success. He is already a regular for the Netherlands, and could offer competition to Diogo Dalot for the right-back spot. Possessing bags of pace, he was revealed to be the fastest player in the Premier League in 2018/19. Fosu-Mensah is also adept at crossing the ball and is defensively solid. More than that, he’s capable of serving United at centre-back and in defensive-midfield, functioning as another utility player. At 21, his best years are ahead of him – and if his recent performances are anything to go by, he’s bound to improve. United and Ole will have to stave off rumoured interest from Ajax to keep him though.

The likes of Tahith Chong (RW), Angel Gomes (CAM), James Garner (CM), and Mason Greenwood (ST) are the highest-rated among a number of academy players, and have made first-team debuts. They could very well earn promotions and be given first-team places instead of the players mentioned below, but this article presumes United will look to buy its players from elsewhere instead of looking within.

Ideal players to buy

The likes of Tahith Chong (RW), Angel Gomes (CAM), James Garner (CM), and Mason Greenwood (ST) are the highest-rated among a number of academy players, and have made first-team debuts. They could very well earn promotions and be given first-team places instead of the players mentioned below, but this article presumes United will look to buy its players from elsewhere instead of looking within.

Options at centre-back: The obvious ones

The one everyone wants: Kalidou Koulibaly – Napoli (estimated price: £90 million)

Having emerged in recent seasons as a solid, experienced and capable centre back, Koulibaly embodies everything Manchester United faithful are screaming for. A strong yet pacey presence, the Senegalese defender has built a reputation for being one of the world’s best on his day. United fans are already predicting that Koulibaly could have a Virgil van Dijk-esque impact on United’s defence, after the Dutchman led by example and transformed Liverpool’s defence. However, he will not come cheap. At 28-years old, he is very much the finished product and not prone to errors in a league notorious for producing world-class defenders. The estimated price comes off what Napoli reportedly demanded last season when Real Madrid and Chelsea were sniffing around, and would be a world-record fee for a defender.

Koulibaly does seem the perfect fit for Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s United though. He had a passing accuracy of 91% across the 2017-18 season, while making more passes forward (43% of complete total) and overall passes per 90 than any of United’s current options. He also averages 1.47 interceptions, 1.53 goals, 1.93 tackles,  and 2.47 aerial duels won per game – starkly better than any of United’s options. There is also the fact that Koulibaly is a huge star in Africa, and the marketing opportunities there mean the Glazers are interested too. It remains to be seen whether he moves though, given Napoli’s standoffish attitude towards negotiations.

The probable bargain: Toby Alderweireld – Tottenham Hotspur (estimated price: £25 million)

One look at the price-tag and you wonder how someone like Alderweireld can possibly come this cheap in an inflated market. However, rumour has it that Alderweireld signed a contract which, when extended by Spurs in January, triggered a clause that makes him available for £25 million. A strong and experienced centre-back, the Belgian has established himself as one of the best defenders in the Premier League and has been the subject of United’s interest in the past too. The 30 year-old is someone Spurs fans want to keep a hold of, but nothing is confirmed as of yet. Alderweireld has been brilliant during his four years at Spurs, and was excelled for previous clubs Southampton and Atlético Madrid as well.

He has a passing success rate of 88.8%, and wins 1.5 aerial duels every match, while making 1.1 tackles, 0.7 interceptions, 0.8 blocks, and 4.4 clearances a game this season. Even more astonishing is the fact that Alderweireld has never been sent off in his senior career, averaging less than a foul per match. That is phenomenal for a defender. His Premier League proven pedigree and his price-tag mean that United and Ole could do much worse than signing the him in the summer. His asking price is supposedly so low that it could lead to more than one signing for the sake of depth too, making the move especially convenient for the club.

Options at centre-back: The outsiders

The possible punt: Matthijs de Ligt – Ajax (estimated price: £60 million)

De Ligt has been a phenomenon since impressing for Ajax against United back in the 2017 Europa League final. At 19, he is the captain of an Ajax team that is in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. Taking his potential into account, the price seems very fair. The teenager averages less than a foul a game this, while making 1.2 tackles, 1.3 interceptions, 3.9 clearances, and a block every match. His rise has been meteoric, and he has three full years of experience in the Dutch top flight behind him, all before turning 20. He’s been heavily linked with Barcelona, but he’s certainly a viable option for Ole and Manchester United should they save on someone like Alderweireld.

The dream: Raphael Varane – Real Madrid (estimated price: £80 million)

There’s not much to write about Varane that football fans don’t already know. A World Cup and three-peat Champions League winner, he’s been rumoured to want to leave the Bernabéu this summer, having achieved everything he could’ve at Real. United are reportedly interested, but Real are unwilling to sell. All things considered, the 25-year old is someone United are undoubtedly interested in as Ole rebuilds the squad.

Options at right-back:

The only one: Aaron Wan-Bissaka – Crystal Palace (estimated price: £25 million)

Wan-Bissaka burst on to the scene last year, but has become a regular fixture for a decent Palace side this season, and has been linked to United’s RB role, with most people categorizing Ashley Young’s days at the club as numbered. AWB represents a young, English option and seems like he could serve the national team for years to come. Man City are also being linked to the pacey full-back, who has won a ridiculous 4 tackles per game, completing a whopping 94% of tackles attempted. He can offer competition to Diogo Dalot, as well as replace Tim Fosu-Mensah if the Dutch youngster leaves. Downsides include occasionally diving in and the chance that his form could fade, but United seem interested in taking a gamble on the 21-year old defender.

Options at defensive-midfield: The mega-money possibilities

The ideal target: Tanguy Ndombélé – Olympique Lyon (estimated price: £50 million)

French and combative, Ndombélé has been the subject of much praise from European pundits this season. Having contributed to 8 goals this season, his defensive output has seen him make just 1 interception and foul per game, while maintaining 2 tackles per match. He has also averaged a shot and key pass every game, while winning two fouls and being dispossessed thrice every two games. Those statistics have only amplified his worth. A product of the football factory that France currently is, United ought to look to him as a player who can have a decent impact for Ole and replace the ageing Nemanja Matić in a couple of years. Moreover, at 22, he represents sound investment and an upgrade to Ander Herrera. Rumours of interest are strong, but whether he looks to Old Trafford as the next step is something we will find out soon.

The guaranteed success: N’Golo Kanté – Chelsea (estimated price: £90 million)

While Alexis Sanchez’s plight has meant nothing is guaranteed, you don’t get a better guarantee than this man. N’Golo Kanté has established himself as arguably the best CDM in the world for the last few seasons. Since being bought for a pittance by Leicester in 2015, he has gone on to win 2 league titles, an FA Cup, and the World Cup. Kanté has been essential to each of those triumphs. A diminutive midfielder full of running, he’s expanded his passing range without deterring his monstrous tackling ability. As a result, Maurizio Sarri’s decision to buy Jorginho and play Kanté out of position is beyond everyone.

However, people at United have noticed the otherwise thorough professional’s disappointing body language recently. His performances for France prove he is still world-class when playing in his favoured position and United would pull off a real coup if they could snap him up for a fee below £100 million. He can play with former teammate Matić and country-mate Pogba in a formidable midfield, more than making up for the loss of Ander Herrera. Chelsea selling him while facing a transfer ban, that too to a direct rival, is unlikely. However, we do live in an era of player power, so you never know.

Option at defensive-midfield: The fall-back options

The versatile combatant: Thomas Partey – Atletico Madrid (estimated price: £50 million)

Partey has recently emerged as a quick DM capable of contributing great numbers defensively and an eye for long-range strikes. He ranks highly in tackles and interceptions per game, while also making a dribble every game. The Ghanian midfielder can also fill in at right-back, which just increases his value for United. He would also represent an attraction for the African fan base, something the club’s commercially-inclined owners would appreciate.

The local lad: Declan Rice – West Ham (estimated price: £30 million)

20 year-old Rice started the season viewed as just another Irishman playing at a mid-table club. He has stirred a fair bit of controversy though, and is apparently being courted by the biggest club in England now. Changing from Ireland to England, the nation of his birth brought a lot of criticism for Rice. It also represented a massive 12 months for the young midfielder, who can fill in at centre-back when needed. Rice has been brilliant for West Ham, making 3 tackles and committing less than a foul every game – while also contributing a couple of goals and a trio of assists.

He also averages a dribble and interception every game, and could represent an English alternative to Ndombélé. Moreover, he would fit right in at United, a club famed for its core of British players. Although not Irish anymore, Rice could land himself a dream move to United as early as the summer. He has just signed a new contract with the Hammers, but an offer from Manchester may be too good to turn down.

Options at centre-midfield: The box-to-box epicentres

The loyal one: Saúl Ñíguez – Atletico Madrid (estimated price: £120 million)

This one is highly unlikely because the player mentioned still has 8 years left to run on his current contract. However, Saúl Ñíguez is one of the hottest commodities in football. A rampaging box-to-box midfielder, the 24-year old is still young and would represent probably the best replacement for Ander Herrera. Possessing an eye for goal and a pass while still boasting enviable defensive stats, Saúl has thrived under Simeone, partnering up with Thomas Partey and Rodri (another player linked with United, but one not linked strongly enough to be mentioned here) in midfield. The issue, however, remains his long-term contract in Madrid. Manchester City are also keen on his services, which has recently meant United are automatically interested too (Alexis Sánchez and Fred being prime examples).

The relative unknown: Bruno Fernandes – Sporting CP (estimated price: £45 million)

The Portuguese midfielder is a technically supreme midfielder with an eye for goal, but also possesses the finesse to thread that final ball. He’s created 3.1 chances a game but also takes 3.4 shots per game; the only player with more in Liga NOS this season is a striker. He’s developed a Frank Lampard-esque habit of arriving in the box at just the right time. The combination play with the likes of Pogba, Lingard and others under Solskjær’s pass-and-move system would mean he fits right in and could rotate in-game as creator and scorer with Paul Pogba. His crosses from the right could find the heads of Pogba and Lukaku as a recipe for goals. Bruno would possibly be the best option among the rest, and fill a void in midfield. At 24, he would serve United for some time too.

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