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How Manchester United could line up with Philippe Coutinho, Antoine Griezmann, Jadon Sancho

Sports Mole looks at how Manchester United could line up if they land some key transfer targets, including Philippe Coutinho, Antoine Griezmann and Jadon Sancho.

Manchester United have been linked with a host of big names ahead of the summer transfer window as they look to re-establish themselves as Premier League title contenders.

The 2018-19 campaign appeared to be heading for disaster until Jose Mourinho was replaced by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has overseen an instant improvement in form.

The Red Devils have dragged themselves back into top-four contention and reached the Champions League quarter-finals under the Norwegian, who is now expected to get the job on a permanent basis.

A sense of renewed optimism around Old Trafford has raised belief that the club will attract some of Europe's best players this summer as they attempt to win their first league title since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement.

The likes of Philippe Coutinho, Antoine Griezmann, Jadon Sancho and Kostas Manolas have all been linked with a move to the 20-time English champions, making for an impressive possible XI next term.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how United could line up if they land all of their prospective targets.



MNUXI

Unsurprisingly, the arrivals of Griezmann and Sancho would greatly increase the level of competition up front with Marcus Rashford, Romelu Lukaku and Anthony Martial among those already vying for a place.

Griezmann would likely cost more than £100m - a figure Borussia Dortmund are reportedly demanding for Sancho too - so both would be expected to start on a regular basis, leaving just one spot up for grabs in a 4-3-3 system.

Solskjaer has been keen to give Rashford a chance in a central position so far, but he could be forced out wide by Griezmann while Martial and Lukaku could miss out altogether in a first-choice XI.

Coutinho's struggles at Barcelona have largely been down to not fitting into Ernesto Valverde's system, but a midfield role alongside Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic would suit the former Liverpool man better.

There has been speculation linking Pogba with a move to Real Madrid - in which case Coutinho could be a natural replacement for the Frenchman - but United are unlikely to let their star asset leave Old Trafford, with the future beginning to look brighter now.

The club's search for defensive reinforcements has been well publicised, with Kalidou Koulibaly and Toby Alderweireld on their radar as well as Manolas, and if any of those three arrive then they will surely slot straight into the starting lineup.

Victor Lindelof appears to be the first choice centre-back under Solskjaer, while Diogo Dalot will hope to edge the ageing Ashley Young out of the team on a gradual basis as he continues to mature.

Luke Shaw is back to something close to his best this season and United are therefore unlikely to move for a new left-back this summer, while arguably the most important player to keep hold of is David de Gea, who has once again been linked with Real Madrid amid an ongoing contract dispute.

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Written by
Barney Corkhill
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