Jose Mourinho has sent a clear message to Manchester United – he needs one more signing before the summer is out as he looks to complete his squad for the new season ahead.
The Red Devils have made a fine start to the summer by bringing in Romelu Lukaku and Victor Lindelof, spending over £100million in the process, but it’s been known for some time that Mourinho would ideally have liked four new additions.
The Portuguese may now be coming round to the idea that that won’t be possible, saying yesterday: ‘When I look to the team and Lukaku, Lindelof, I would like my squad to be here, my whole squad, if you manage to get one more player – I’m not even crying for two – if we get one player as soon as possible.’
Barring a late shock in the transfer window, it’s pretty clear the final signing will be one of the four names above, if recent speculation is anything to go by.
So, what do United need right now and which of the four best fits the bill? Read on for a look at who should be the club’s priority, and then cast your vote…
Nemanja Matic
This one may finally be happening if reports today are accurate, with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich said to have
sanctioned Nemanja Matic’s sale to United .
The Serbia international would bring title-winning experience to Old Trafford, and of course knows Mourinho well from their time together at Stamford Bridge.
However, it’s clear that he looks set to cost big-money, possibly as much as £50million, despite being a Chelsea cast-off. He didn’t exactly impress towards the end of Mourinho’s time at the club, and was aided hugely by the presence of N’Golo Kante last season, who, as we know, is capable of turning even Danny Drinkwater into a top class player.
Undoubtedly a fine talent on his day, it seems like Matic may be past his peak now and not ideal for the Red Devils as they look to move forward. That said, he’s a safe option and there’d be the added satisfaction of weakening a rival if it worked out.
Eric Dier
Another option in midfield would be Eric Dier, though all speculation suggests that Tottenham are highly unlikely to sell such an important player.
At 23, the England international is at the opposite end of his career to Matic, and would arguably be more useful due to his ability to fill in at centre-back or even right-back if needed.
That said, he’d probably be at least £10m more expensive, and that can become silly money for a player essentially being eyed to play the Michael Carrick role – and that’s while Carrick himself is still at the club, as is the excellent Ander Herrera.
MORE: Why Man Utd should sign Eric Dier over Nemanja Matic
Should central midfield really be such a top priority for a team whose struggle last season so clearly came in the opposition penalty area? There’s a method to the madness, of course, if a holding player like Dier or Matic could free up Paul Pogba to play a more attacking role, but it might not be worth breaking the bank for.
Ivan Perisic
An old-fashioned pacey, direct winger who hogs the touchline and loves a cross, it’s easy to imagine Ivan Perisic having a lot of fun playing with Romelu Lukaku next season.
That said, the Croatia international remains a key player for Inter Milan and doesn’t look like moving despite months of speculation, with his club also keen to bring in beyond-reasonable money for him.
Somewhat one-dimensional and supposedly infuriatingly inconsistent, Perisic doesn’t exactly look the kind of player worth spending £50m on, even in today’s market.
Still, as already noted, it is in attack that United are arguably most in need of signings, and with time and alternative options running out, this could be the purchase that makes the most sense for Mourinho.