Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United crashed out of the FA Cup earlier this week and are now in danger of losing out on a place in the top-4 if they fail to find consistency from now to the end of the season. But with the Europa League also giving them a way into the Champions League, Mourinho might be planning to add some star players to help his squad compete with the elite group of clubs in Europe. But who will Mourinho buy at the end of the season? How will his team look at the start of the next season? Here is the predicted lineup that Mourinho might field for the first game come the start of the next campaign.
Defence:
Though linked with an exit in the summer, Spanish star David de Gea should stay at the club, thanks to Mourinho’s presence at Old Trafford. He should remain the first choice for the Red Devils next season. Antonio Valencia has done a decent job this season but Mourinho might want to strengthen further. Nelson Semedo looks like a potential target and Jose could sign him in the summer if a chance arises. Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind and Matteo Darmian have all been used sparsely by the manager this season and hence Monaco full-back Djibril Sidibe might join the back line for United next season.
Eric Bailly is slowly growing in confidence this season but Mourinho might be looking to add one centre-half, who would be able to partner Bailly at the back. Benfica star Victor Lindelof might be the man to do it, with Smalling and Jones acting as backups when needed.
Midfield:
French sensation Paul Pogba will remain the first choice next season but Mourinho needs a player who can partner him well in the midfield. Ander Herrera has done a decent job this season but he has not been able to play in the midfield two which is effective with the French star and this might be a problem for the manager in the future. However, Monaco star Fabinho could solve this problem. He is high on the wish list for the club and should partner Pogba in front of the back 4 next season for Manchester United.
Attack:
Henrikh Mkhitaryan on the right and Anthony Martial on the left should remain the first choice combination for Mourinho next season. In the attacking midfield position, Juan Mata and Wayne Rooney have done a good job there this season. However, Mourinho might need a lot more strength in that position. Hence, Mourinho might turn to Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez in the summer. The Colombian would walk into the first team at the club next season playing in his favoured number 10 role.
Leading the attack could be Zlatan Ibrahimovic if he decides to stay, but Mourinho is convinced that he can lure Antoine Griezmann to the club and if he is able to, the French star should bench the 36-year old Swede for the next season.