Manchester United could be about to be the latest club bought by an oil rich country, so who would the Premier League side bring in?
Things at Old Trafford are potentially about to be mightily different, with news that Qatari investors are interested in buying the club from the Glazer family.
It will come as a relief to many fans who just want to see the Americans gone, in the same way Newcastle fans wanted rid of Mike Ashley by the end of his reign.
That sect of fans won’t care about the human rights issues involved with being owned by a Middle East group, whether they are directly connected to the owners of PSG or not.
Featured Image Credit: Alamy
There is also reports that the Qataris will come in and demolish Old Trafford, before building a new stadium on the same site, rather than a huge refurb of the iconic stadium.
Perhaps most interestingly to fans is the fact that they would be ready to hand over a huge transfer budget to Erik ten Hag, allowing him to compete for major honours.
We’ve had a look at five players that the English giants could bring in if Ten Hag is given the kinds of money being talked about:
Diogo Costa – Porto
Cost has been linked with United previously and there’s no doubt that a goalkeeper could be near the top of the club’s priority list.
David de Gea has been excellent for the club throughout his 12 seasons, since leaving Atletico Madrid, winning the club’s player of the season award four times.
However, the Spaniard’s inability to use his feet lost him his place in the national team and led to questions if he could play how Ten Hag wants to set up his team.
Portuguese keeper Costa would certainly bring that part of his game with him to Manchester and could be the long term replacement for United’s current number one.
Costa could be United’s next keeper. Image: Alamy
Noussair Mazraoui – Bayern Munich
There’s no doubt that the club wanted to add another right back last summer, if they could have sold Aaron Wan-Bissaka, but that never happened.
The former Crystal Palace player has improved since coming back into the team but it feels like Ten Hag would still want to massively improve that position.
Mazroui proved he’s just as adept playing at left back during Morocco’s run to the World Cup but his best position is at right back.
He has seen new boy Joao Cancelo assist two goals in two games since his arrival from Manchester City and may feel a move to the north west of England’s other club benefits him.
Mazraoui could be the perfect signing for United’s problem position. Image: Alamy
Frenkie de Jong – Barcelona
The new United manager was desperate to be reunited with the midfielder whose career he helped take off during their time together at Ajax.
De Jong had no interest in leaving Barcelona last summer but the Catalan giants may once again try getting rid of him next summer, even if his girlfriend thinks he’s only going to Manchester for the Europa League.
His desire to move to United might be boosted a bit more if they return to the Champions League and having seen how much better Ten Hag has made them.
Casemiro and Christian Eriksen have obviously improved the team in the middle of the pitch but their current absences shine a light on United still needing more strength in depth.
De Jong was tracked by United all of last summer. Image: Alamy
Jude Bellingham – Borussia Dortmund
There’s basically no team in the world who wouldn’t be improved by signing Bellingham, and he’s expected to be the Dortmund star to leave this summer.
Liverpool, Manchester City and Real Madrid have all been highly linked to the England international but they all have their own issues currently.
An injection of cash, guaranteed first team football, playing in the Champions League and a potential first league title in 11 years would make a move to United extremely interesting for Bellingham.
No matter who they already have in midfield, finding room for the former Birmingham City star would be pretty easy and he could be there for years to come.
Bellingham will be chased by all the biggest clubs in the world. Image: Alamy
Victor Osimhen – Napoli
New money or not, United will almost certainly try to sign a striker in the summer, having already been a bit light up top before Cristiano Ronaldo left.
They have been heavily linked with both Harry Kane and Osimhen, and neither striker is going to be cheap, even if the former only has a year left on his deal come the summer.
Kane would be the obvious, ready made player to bring in, and there’s few forwards in the world as good as him right now, however, Osimhen is one of those who comes close.
Osimhen is one of the most in form strikers in the world. Image: Alamy
The Nigeria number nine is currently leading Luciano Spalletti’s team to their first Serie A title since Diego Maradona did it in 1990.
At just 24-years-old he would be a longer term signing than Kane, his ability to link up play, as well as his eye for goal, would be excellent in a team who play in the style of Ten Hag’s, and he also wouldn’t drop deep as much as Kane to fill the space that Bruno Fernandes wants to deal in.
Certainly have unlimited amounts of money for transfers could be fun for United fans, but they only need to look at their local rivals at how it can go wrong…
Manchester United in advanced talks with David de Gea
Manchester United are hoping to secure a contract agreement with David De Gea.
According to a report from Football Insider, Manchester United are currently locked in advanced talks with the 32-year-old Spanish goalkeeper regarding a new contract.
Apparently, the goalkeeper has agreed to accept a pay cut and Manchester United have offered him a three-year deal worth around £200,000 a week. The deal will be worth around £30 million.
Manager Erik ten Hag has been impressed with his performances this season and the Dutchman is willing to keep De Gea at the club beyond this season.
The 32-year-old’s current contract worth around £375,000 a week will come to an end at the end of the season and he could have left the club on a free transfer in the summer. However, David De Gea remains an important player for Manchester United and he is one of the leaders in the dressing room.
It makes sense for Manchester United to keep him at the club.
De Gea has been solid for Manchester United this season (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
The 32-year-old could still be a very important player for Manchester United in the coming seasons because of his quality, leadership skills, mentality, and experience.
The report from Football Insider claims that the new contract has not been agreed upon yet and some of the issues will need to be sorted before the deal can be finalised. However, the two parties are hopeful of reaching an agreement soon.
The Spaniard has been a key player for Manchester United since joining the club in 2011 under former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
He has helped the Red Devils win multiple trophies during his time at the club and it remains to be seen whether he can help the Premier League giants return to their former glories once again.
It has been an impressive season for Manchester United so far. They are still outsiders in the title race and have a chance of winning all three cup competitions.
De Gea has been a fan favourite since his £18 million move from Atletico Madrid and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Spanish international end his career at Old Trafford.
Source: sportbible.com; thehardtackle.com
