MAN UNITED FAN VIEW: With £73m man Sancho set to turbocharge the attack, we must now focus on firming up the defence and boosting the midfield. Players like Trippier, Varane and Ndidi would completely transform our title chances

  • Man United did well to secure their £73m purchase of Jadon Sancho early 
  • But that can't be the end of their summer spending if they want to compete
  • The focus must be on improving the defence with a right back and centre half
  • Raphael Varane and Kieran Trippier would dramatically strengthen back line
  • Declan Rice is too expensive but Leicester's Wilfred Ndidi is a better option 

Following a difficult time for Jadon Sancho, with a penalty miss for England in the Euro 2020 final resulting in a barrage of racist abuse, the young forward has been unveiled as a Manchester United player at long last.

With Ed Woodward not taking Borussia Dortmund's terms seriously last season, ignoring their stipulation that any deal had to be done before the pre-season started, United got their business done quickly this year and agreed a transfer with the German club while Sancho was still away on international duty.

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Securing the transfer for a price reduced by £35m over the past year, Woodward will certainly feel like the cat who got the cream, but may still be looking to go out with a bang in his final transfer window before stepping down from his position at the end of the year.

Manchester United have finally got their man with Jadon Sancho set to be officially unveiled
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be pleased but further reinforcements will be needed
Sancho described signing for United as a 'dream come true' as he looks forward to playing in the Premier League for the first time in his career

Luke Shaw emerged as one of the players of the tournament on the back of his best season for United to date

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While the left back has repeatedly hailed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's man-management for the reason behind his improvement, it's safe to say the arrival of Alex Telles as competition for his place helped push him in the right direction.

Solskjaer may be looking for a similar move to improve the other full-back position, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka yet to reach the highest level during the two seasons he's spent at Old Trafford. 

Having already made 100 appearances for the club, it's worth remembering he's still only 23-years-old so would certainly benefit from having a player to learn from and compete with.

Kieran Trippier made Gareth Southgate's squad for the summer, on the back of winning the league with Atletico Madrid, while Wan-Bissaka was again overlooked. 

Sancho is welcomed to Manchester United by manager Solskjaer after his £73million transfer from Borussia Dortmund was confirmed on Friday
England's Kieran Trippier, a lifelong Man United fan, would be a great signing at right back
Aaron Wan-Bissaka's tackling is impressive but Trippier would be an upgrade going forward

A lifelong United fan from a family of Reds, Trippier would certainly be very keen to represent the club next season.

Assisting Shaw's goal for England in the final against Italy, Trippier showed his attacking strength at its best, as well as being solid in defence. 

While Wan-Bissaka's tackling ability is up there with the best in the league, his concentration lapses at the back post and lack of impact in the final third have led to some criticism.

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Trippier could be available for around £30m which could prove to be a steal, as he offers his wealth of experience at club and country to improve others in the squad.

Harry Maguire was named in the Euro 2020 Team of the Tournament after playing a vital role in keeping England so solid at the back, having recovered from an injury that ruled him out of the end of United's season. 

A central defender of pedigree, such as Real Madrid's Raphael Varane, would be a key signing
Harry Maguire missed the Europa League final through injury, leaving United fans to wonder what might have been after they lost on penalties to Villarreal

It's no wonder fans are left wondering what might have been if Maguire had been available for the Europa League final in May.

United's captain has been partnered with Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof during his time at Old Trafford and neither have proven to be overwhelming successful. 

It's little surprise that United have been linked with Real Madrid's Raphael Varane, whose contract expires next year, as they seek to find a better defensive pairing at the back.

Woodward will likely be cautious with this transfer though, given how Sergio Ramos used a link with United in 2015 to negotiate a pay rise with his club

But initial signs look positive, with the French 28-year-old seemingly keen on plying his trade in a different league.

Varane's Euro 2020 ended in disappointment as France were stunned by Switzerland

Having won the World Cup, as well as multiple Champions League and LaLiga titles, Varane would certainly bring with him the mentality and experience that Solskjaer will be keen to exploit. 

The collective trophy haul of United's current squad is fairly limited so the impact someone with Varane's CV could make on the team is a huge bonus.

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A final priority for United is bolstering the midfield, with Eduardo Camavinga a player the club showed interest in, although that move is looking increasingly unlikely. 

Still only 18, it's doubtful he'd have the immediate impact Solskjaer is looking for, in his bid to win some silverware and mount a serious challenge for the title after finishing second last season.

Declan Rice has been another name banded about and United could certainly do worse than the West Ham midfielder who was a regular in Southgate's team this summer as they reached the final.

Eduardo Camavinga has been mooted as one United target but the move looks unlikely now
West Ham want £80m for midfielder Declan Rice which is more than United would pay for him

The club were initially reportedly seeking £80m for him though, which is an asking price United certainly won't be prepared to meet

With Sancho costing £73m it would be difficult for the Hammers to justify requesting a higher fee for Rice, who arguably isn't a massive upgrade on what United already have in Fred and Scott McTominay.

While it may be wishful thinking, Wilfred Ndidi is exactly the sort of player United should be looking at, although with three years remaining on his contract he could be fairly pricey. 

But the impact he could make in protecting the defence and freeing up Paul Pogba to do what he does best, as we saw in his performances for France again this summer, could be huge. 

With Leicester missing out on Champions League football again for the season ahead, it might not be long before the 24-year-old starts getting itchy feet.

Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi could be a better midfield option for United

Edinson Cavani extended his stay at United for a further season which makes signing a striker less of a priority, especially with there now being the potential for Mason Greenwood to play more centrally thanks to the arrival of Sancho.

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United had been linked with Harry Kane, following the England captain's announcement he was ready to move on from Tottenham, although rivals Manchester City are understood to be leading the charge for a £160m deal.  

His transfer would mean a record fee for United but having experienced the difference signing the best striker in the league makes, after beating City to Robin van Persie's signature in the summer of 2012, United would do everything they could to make it happen if they are serious about challenging for the title.

Solskjaer's plan may be to bide his time and make a move for Erling Haaland next summer though, having previously managed the Dortmund striker when they were at Molde. 

They would have to break the bank for England striker Harry Kane, also wanted by Man City

This would be a fairly risky strategy, given every big club will want him when Dortmund allow him to leave.

Getting Sancho's transfer confirmed early was a rare brilliant move for United in the transfer window and has raised expectations of what the club is trying to do this summer. 

While Solskjaer has improved in league position in both of his full seasons at the club, the squad he's had to work with hasn't been up to scratch with the teams he's been competing with. 

But if United get the right business done this summer, this could be the best side we've seen at Old Trafford since Sir Alex Ferguson, and the demand for success will be enormous.

 

Sancho signs for United 

Manchester United have confirmed the £73million signing of Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho

The 21-year-old forward completed a medical at United's Carrington training base last week and the final negotiations of his transfer from Germany have now been completed. 

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In a slick unveiling video, Sancho declares 'this is my club, this is where I belong' as he poses in the new United home strip. 

Sancho said: 'I'll always be grateful to Dortmund for giving me the opportunity to play first team football, although I always knew that I would return to England one day. 

Sancho believes he can be a part of a United team that develop into something special

JADON SANCHO AT  DORTMUND

2017-18: 21 games, five goals, seven assists

2018-19:  43 games, 13 goals, 20 assists

2019-20:  44 games, 20 goals, 20 assists

2020-21: 38 games, 16 goals, 20 assists 

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'The chance to join Manchester United is a dream come true and I just cannot wait to perform in the Premier League.

'This is a young and exciting squad and I know, together, we can develop into something special to bring the success that the fans deserve.

'I am looking forward to working with the manager and his coaching team to further develop my game.' 

United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: 'Jadon epitomises the type of player I want to bring to the club, he is a forward player in the best traditions of Manchester United. 

'He will form an integral part of my squad for years to come and we look forward to seeing him blossom. His goals and assists records speak for themselves and he will also bring tremendous pace, flair and creativity to the team.

'Old Trafford will give him the platform he needs to release his untapped talent and perform at the highest level. 

'For a player of his age, Jadon has already achieved a great deal and showed the courage to go and prove himself abroad. We all look forward to welcoming Jadon to the squad as we prepare for the new campaign.'

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Sancho moves back to Manchester just four years after quitting United's rivals City to move to Germany, where he scored 50 goals in 137 matches for the Bundesliga outfit.

Sancho moves back to Manchester just four years after quitting United's rivals City

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has held a long-term interest in the winger and the Red Devils attempted to lure him from Dortmund last summer but failed to agree terms with the German club, who wanted £108m for their English star.

Sancho could appear at Old Trafford for the first time in their pre-season friendly at home to Everton on August 7, but that will depend on his match fitness and whether Solskjaer will want to risk him at an early stage after his summer break. 

The winger is United's second summer signing of the transfer window after goalkeeper Tom Heaton returned to the club on a free transfer from Aston Villa, but the Red Devils do not appear to be done in the transfer market just yet.