da bet sport： Manchester United have appointed a world-class manager in Jose Mourinho and look set to give him a world-class transfer budget for the summer, but transforming them into Premier League champions almost instantaneously would take a minor miracle on the Special One’s part.
da bwin： Indeed, the squad Louis van Gaal has left behind is miles away from the English title, lacking the quality of the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal and seemingly absent of any cohesive philosophy – or at the very least, an effective one.
But Mourinho is no stranger to achieving minor miracles; in fact, he shot to super-stardom by pulling one off with FC Porto as they unexpectedly claimed the 2004 Champions League title; and always delivers when given a healthy wad of cash.
So in order to help Mourinho pull off another miracle once again, we’ve conjured up a six-step plan to make Manchester United Premier League title winners in the space of one transfer window. If the Portuguese follows this article to the letter, he’ll be lifting a fourth English title next summer!
Sign Ibrahimovic
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s rumoured move to Manchester United appears to be only edging closer to completion and signing the iconic striker would be a fantastic way to kick off Manchester United’s summer. With the exception of the short-lived Angel Di Maria, it’s been a long time since the Red Devils signed a true world-class entity (even an ageing one) and his enormous profile should compensate for the absence of Champions League football in helping lure players of similar quality to Old Trafford.
But also sign another striker
That being said, goals were a real problem for United last season – they scored the fewest of any side in the Premier League’s top eight – and although Ibrahimovic has just come to the end of the strongest campaign of his career in terms of finding the net, notching up 50 across all competitions, it’s unlikely he’ll be able to match that potency in the Premier League at the age of 34. Likewise, when you think of United’s greatest sides, they all boasted strike-forces of enormous depth and variety. Having Ibrahimovic, Marcus Rashford, Wayne Rooney, Anthony Martial and another star-studded forward to choose from should bring that definitive attacking football back to Old Trafford. The likes of Alvaro Morata, Romelu Lukaku, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Gonzalo Higuain remain the strongest candidates.
Don’t loan out the Class of 2016
For all of Louis van Gaal’s failings, he unquestionably delivered on one aspect of the traditional United philosophy – giving first team chances to young players. Jose Mourinho’s reputation in developing young talent, on the other hand, leaves something to be desired and the lingering fear is that those who showed so much promise under LVG last season will be sidelined for instantaneous success. But there is no reason the Red Devils’ latest batch of hotshots can’t contribute to next season’s title; Marcus Rashford is the obvious mention in this regard, but Timothy Fosu-Mensah is a real prospect who can play in a variety of positions, hardworking midfielder Jesse Lingard suits Mourinho’s industrious ethos and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson showed strong form when called upon last season. Likewise, if Rashford can make the step up from the academy so easily, fellow youth products surely can.
KEEP DAVID DE GEA
Losing the services of David De Gea this summer would be an enormous backwards step for Manchester United. He’s the only true world-class star in their starting Xi and has verged upon talismanic in recent seasons, evident enough through his three consecutive Player of the Year awards at Old Trafford. Of course, fending off Real Madrid is no easy task, especially amid rumours the Spain international’s contract includes a release clause exclusively for the Bernabeu giants. Mourinho’s presence gives United half a chance of holding onto the 25-year-old shot-stopper but actions speak louder than words and it may be the club’s efforts in the transfer market that eventually convince De Gea to stay.
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SOLIDIFY THE SPINE
Every title-winning side Jose Mourinho’s forged has been centred around a top-quality spine but Manchester United’s is currently incredibly underwhelming. Signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic and keeping David De Gea is a very good start, providing world-class ability at either end of the backbone, but United still need similar talent running through the rest of it. Indeed, finding a long-term partner to Chris Smalling has to be a priority for Mourinho this summer, with utility man Daley Blind filling the void (by no means disgracefully) last season, but the Red Devils also require a signing who can revitalise their engine room with offensive dynamism. Inevitably, Paul Pogba comes to mind – but Mourinho may find the Frenchman out of his reach this summer.
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Mourinho-ise the squad
There has been a great debate surrounding the ‘philosophy’ Jose Mourinho will bring to Old Trafford and whether it conflicts too sharply with United’s traditional ideals. But the Special One is the Special One and although he’s likely prepared to adopt the Red Devils’ greater emphasis on attacking football, moving away from his own beliefs too much will only lead to a spectacular implosion. It’s imperative Mourinho implements some elements of the pragmatic, disciplined and organised approach we saw at Chelsea and that will require some additions in the transfer market. He may cost a bundle but Willian is the obvious choice in that respect – and United are in need of options on the wing. The ‘Mourinho-ise’ process applies to axing players too; Memphis Depay, Ander Herrera, Marcos Rojo and of course, Juan Mata, all seem like a poor fit.
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