Forget £200m-rated Bale – 3 Cheaper alternatives who Man United could target including £87m superstar

Manchester United were way off the pace in the race for the Premier League title last season. Although they were second, they finished a huge 19 points off leaders Manchester City. United need massive signings to get back to the glory days.

That involve a defender, a right-back, a left-back, a midfielder and a right-winger. The Red Devils have been linked with quite a few of them, with Gareth Bale being reported as a key target. However, Real Madrid have slapped a £200m price tag on the Welshman.

Gareth Bale’s move to Real Madrid hasn’t gone to plan at all. After an impressive first season at the Santiago Bernabeu, where Bale scored in the Copa Del Rey as well as the Champions League final, it has fizzled out for the Welshman.

He has been injured most of the time and rarely makes the starting XI when fit. Manchester United should not sign him, as he is ageing, would cost a lot of money in the transfer fee as well as in the wages. United don’t need another player just to hog on the wages to underperform.

So, here are the three right-wingers Jose Mourinho and Manchester United must consider instead of Gareth Bale.

Riyad Mahrez

There are rumours linking the Algerian winger to Manchester City but, there were rumours linking Alexis Sanchez to the Etihad too. Riyad Mahrez should be Manchester United’s number one choice for the right-wing spot.

Mahrez is 27-years-old, at the peak of his career. He has taken the Premier League by storm in the past three years.

He has consistently delivered in a Leicester City side that often underperforms. He is proven in the Premier League, has won the league and has even won the PFA Player of the Year award. He is the consummate right-winger.

The Leicester star can provide width or cut inside depending on the situation. He has an excellent cross in him, which will surely help Romelu Lukaku bang in a few more headers.

Mahrez is a trickster, blessed with pace and mature decision-making along with tremendous work rate and counter-attacking abilities. He has reached double figures for goals and assists once again this season and will work wonders for Jose Mourinho’s team.

Antoine Griezmann

Once again, an obvious choice. Antoine Griezmann has been on Manchester United’s radar for quite a while now. He can play anywhere across the forward line and is more than capable of playing as the right-winger for Manchester United.

Griezmann is among the top, top players of the world and finished 3rd in the race for the Ballon d’Or behind the ever illustrious duo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi last time out. He recently won his first honour with Atletico Madrid, as he led the Rojiblancos to Europa League glory.

The £87m Frenchman is a player that can literally do it all. He can make runs in behind, come short, thread through balls to the runner, dribble past players, cross, play short one-twos, initiate attacks and most importantly, finish them.

Like Mahrez, he is an able counter-attacker and can link up play like only a few others can. He has played under Diego Simeone and so he would know how to succeed under Mourinho. Moreover, the friendship and on-field connection with Paul Pogba would surely help.

Justin Kluivert

Son of the legendary Patrick Kluivert, Justin may well match his father’s footballing abilities. He has made it clear that he will leave Ajax in the future. He only has 12 months left on his contract and is expected to move away from the Johan Cruyff Arena this summer.

Kluivert is among the hottest prospects in world football right now. Roma, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are all being reported to be in the chase for the Dutch wonder kid. He can play on either flank.

It looks like his goalscoring is hereditary. His agent is Mino Raiola, who has transferred a fair few of his clients to Old Trafford.

Kluivert is blessed with incredible speed and agility and he also has amazing ball control, which saw him complete 2.7 dribbles per game this season. Apart from that, he scored 11 goals and registered 5 assists this season.

He is a very talented winger who can run a long way with the ball gliding off his feet. He is excellent in the build-up play and will be a fantastic acquisition for the Red Devils.