When I was initially asked the question about what one player I would love to see Manchester United this summer, there were two names that came to mind – Bruno Fernandes and Kalidou Koulibaly.
On the one hand, Fernandes is a sensational playmaker in midfield. With 32 goals and 18 assists in 53 appearances for Sporting Lisbon last season, he had one of the most prolific seasons out of any league in Europe. He’d also bring quality set pieces and would be somebody who could come into United and give us a real creative option other than Paul Pogba. He’d massively improve our midfield.
On the other hand, Koulibaly could be the leader United’s defence is crying out for. An experienced, dominant centre-back who could slot in alongside Victor Lindelof with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw at full-back, all in front of David de Gea. It’d transform United’s defence into one of the best in the league on paper.
Both of those would be fantastic signings but as much as we desperately need a new centre-back and more creativity in midfield, if I had to choose I would go with someone who is considered slightly out of reach this summer, a signing we’d all love – and that is Jadon Sancho.
Missing out on a Champions League spot effectively stopped our pursuit of Sancho before it started, but if you could wave a magic wand, he’d be the first player I’d have wanted Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to sign. He’d fit into United perfectly for so many reasons.
First off, he’d solve a problem United have had for pretty much 10 years on the right wing ever since Cristiano Ronaldo joined Real Madrid. We’ve had almost no threat there for so long that fans have forgotten what it feels like to see an exciting, dynamic attacker terrorising defences and Sancho would do that in abundance. He’s the sort of player who would get fans on the edge of their seat at Old Trafford.
Sancho isn’t just about excitement though, he's got the end product already, despite only being 19. In 43 appearances for Borussia Dortmund, Sancho scored 13 goals and had 19 assists. He’s only 19. Those numbers are staggering and he’d be the sort of signing who could make an immediate impact at United if Solskjaer signed him despite being so young.
Sancho would also fit the profile of the type of players Solskjaer wants to sign, like Dan James, 21, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, 21. English, young, hungry, determined and ready to develop at United, 19-year-old Sancho has all the makings of a top ten world player if given the right platform and Old Trafford could easily be the place for that. And If we did sign Sancho, we could finally have somebody who deserves to wear the No.7 shirt that’s not been worn with any conviction since Ronaldo was sold.
When you look at United this summer, there are so many positions that we need to improve but if you’re only giving me one signing, it’d be Sancho. That would be United’s right-wing sorted for the next decade, and even if he cost £100m, it would be an absolute bargain for a player who could easily become one of the world’s best in the next few years.
Jadon Sancho to sign for Manchester United this summer – 6/1
