Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will press ahead with plans to shape his squad this summer regardless of the impact the coronavirus pandemic will have on the transfer market.
The upcoming transfer window represents the latest chance for the Norwegian to accelerate his rebuild at United and close the gap on rivals Manchester City and Liverpool in the Premier League.
Manchester Evening News report United are looking to capitalise on their enviable financial position with moves for their top three targets Jadon Sancho, Jude Bellingham and Jack Grealish.
While it is important to improve the squad with additions that bring serious quality, it is also important to find a balance and this means Solskjaer needs to be ruthless and sell players he does not see having a long-term future at Old Trafford.
And according to the Daily Express, Alexis Sanchez, Jessie Lingard and Angel Gomes could all leave this summer.
Sanchez is set to return from his injury-ravaged loan spell at Inter Milan and the plan will be to remove the Chilean international from the wage bill as Solskjaer looks to build his attack around exciting young talent. It is claimed that West Ham have emerged as shock contenders for the 31-year-old’s signature.
Jesse Lingard has slipped down the pecking order in Solskjaer’s midfield and has failed to register a Premier League goal or assist in over a year, a pitiful record for a creative outlet. The Express reports that Solskjaer could be about to let the 27-year-old go this summer with Newcastle, Everton, West Ham and Leicester all viewed as potential suitors.
Meanwhile, it would be a great shame to see Angel Gomes leave the club this summer. United are at risk of losing one of their most promising young prospects for free as Gomes’ contract expires at the end of the month. There has been little indication that he is willing to commit his long-term future to the club either with the attacking midfielder said to be frustrated with his lack of first-team opportunities at Old Trafford. Chelsea are leading the race to sign the 19-year-old who could join a core of British youngsters at Stamford Bridge.
Another of United’s academy starlets is also said to be questioning his future at the club. 17-year-old wonderkid Deji Sotona is yet to sign a professional contract at Old Trafford and is attracting interest from top European clubs.
We would advocate the transfers of Lingard and Sanchez who are not going to be central to Solskjaer’s long-term plan in competing domestically again. But United should do all they can to hold onto their brightest academy prospects that could go on to make the club rue letting them slip through the cracks.
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