Manchester United’s 2-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday highlighted the lack of creativity at Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s disposal.
Despite having 71% in the game (BBC Sport), the Reds managed just three shots on target, and something has to change in attack for United against defences likely to sit back and defend deep.
Rather frustratingly for United fans, no attacking midfielder was signed this summer, despite the fact it was an area that clearly needing addressing.
Despite having Juan Mata and Angel Gomes among his ranks, Solskjaer has been persisting with Jesse Lingard in at the role, who is not delivering.
NEXT:Opinion: What Solskjaer must change at Man Utd after Crystal Palace defeat
Many United fans think it’s time for United to sign Leicester playmaker James Maddison. The 22-year-old was linked with a move to Old Trafford this summer, and the latest report from the Mirror states that the Reds will go in with a bid for the youngster in January.
Another player fans would love to see in a red shirt is Jadon Sancho. The Dortmund winger has set the Bundesliga alight since joining from Man City in 2017, but surely United would need to secure Champions League qualification to have a chance of prizing the youngster to the club next summer.
See some fan reaction below:
United missing out on Dybala and Bruno Fernandes isn't the big issue IMO. The fact that we missed on Sancho and James Maddison is what will cost us eventually. Gem players that we so desperately needed. Their price will only go up by 20-30 million quid next summer.
— Ted Schmosby (@BranTheBrokenn) August 25, 2019
If I could sign 3 players this January it would be Sancho, Maddison and Ndidi. Unbelievable we didn't try for Maddison and Ndidi this summer. Obviously Sancho would have been more difficult.
— Si (@RedDevilGuySi) August 25, 2019
Longstaff, Maddison and Sancho need to be done for next season. They could solve some serious issues we have in our team.
— musti 🕊🇵🇰 (@MustafaTweeets) August 25, 2019
Maddison and Sancho are absolute musts for us next season, and this is on top of Pogba. If we lose him we'll need another attacking midfielder as well as Maddison. Left back is a priority too as competition for Shaw and a backup striker too. I wouldn't mind Longstaff either.
— Jordan Henshall (@JordyHensh07) August 25, 2019
There's no point talking about who we should sign, the owners clearly don't want to spend money when we had a 70million net in a big rebuilding summer.. if they realise they need to spend.. Maddison, Sancho, DM, LB.. 4 players that change this side completely #mufc
— Bradley (@MUFCBradleyP) August 25, 2019
3 players that would fix man utd problems imo:
Sancho,T.partey,and maddison— Ibrahim (@16rahimfaisal) August 25, 2019
I’d be looking at Lucas Digne from Everton to upgrade the left back position in January/Summer if I was Ole. Very good at free kicks too which is something we’re poor at. He’s probably targeting Maddison, Rice, Sancho, Moussa Dembele & McGinn too #MUFC
— Burney (@mjburney_mb) August 25, 2019
Manchester United need Jadon Sancho and James Maddison to help solve our creativity problems in the final 3rd #mufc
— tRizZy 👑🇺🇬 (@tendotrizzy) August 25, 2019
In reflection, this team has potential but not everyone in it is good enough to take it to that next level. We have a good core in terms of Rashford, Martial, James, Maguire, AWB. However it needs a Sancho, it needs a Maddison, and it needs a new left back. Time will tell.
— Ryan Harrison (@RyanHarrison637) August 24, 2019