Manchester United transfers: XI of potential summer signings linked with signing for Red Devils moves

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Manchester United will have a new manager in the summer and when the new hire is appointed, he will quickly get to work on reshaping the squad.

With the high number of players likely to leave due to either expiring contracts, or simply wanting to move on, there is likely going to be an overhaul rather than a few squad tweaks.

No longer is there just one position which needs a fix. Strikers, midfielders, defenders and even a goalkeeper linked. Yes, enough to put together a full starting XI.

XI of players linked to United

Many of the players linked with moves to United are attacking ones. And even then we can’t quite fit them all into the XI.

With the only position lacking from speculation being left-back, this has led to us selecting a 3-5-2 formation. Here is a look at the 11 who could head to Old Trafford, along with the links…

• GK: Sam Johnstone, United are considering signing Johnstone from West Brom on a free, to replace Dean Henderson, 90Min report.
• CB: Antonio Rudiger: The German is of interest to United on a free transfer and Ralf Rangnick is an admirer, The MEN report.
• CB: Manuel Akanji: Dortmund defender Akanji has one year left on his deal and BILD report United are keen.
• CB: Ronald Araujo: Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo also has a contract expiring in 2023, with Sport claiming United are lurking.
• DM: Joao Palhinha: United are keen on Sporting midfielder Palhinha to fill the defensive midfielder void, The Mirror report.
• CM: Youri Tielemans: Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans could replace Paul Pogba. The Star report United’s interest, his contract also expires in 2023.
• LW: Arnaut Danjuma: Fabrizio Romano told FIVE that United are keen on Arnaut Danjuma, who scored for Villarreal against United at Old Trafford this season.
• AM: Christian Nkunku: ESPN report Ralf Rangnick has instructed United to consider Christian Nkunku. He has 23 goals this season for RB Leipzig.
• RW: Antony: Ajax star Antony could potentially follow Erik Ten Hag to United. 90Min first reported United’s interest in the 21-year-old winger.
• CF: Darwin Nunez: Benfica star Darwin Nunez is Uruguay’s next top striker. A Bola report United have been scouting him, he has a contract until 2025.
• CF: Patrik Schick: BBC Sport say Schick could be on United’s striker shortlist. He has 20 goals for Leverkusen this season and was signed before by Ralf Rangnick at Leipzig.

Extra players ‘on the bench’

Of course the names linked to United are not just limited to these 11. We can fill a substitute’s bench too.

• Cody Gakpo of PSV, linked by The Mirror.
• Fabio Carvalho of Fulham has been linked by The Star.
• Declan Rice of West Ham recently linked by ESPN the big money defensive midfield option.
• Dan-Axel Zagadout of Dortmund has been linked as a free agent signing by Fussball Transfers.
• Tariq Lamptey of Brighton has been linked by The Mail.
• Tino Livramento of Southampton, another right-back, is linked by Calciomercato.
• Amadou Haidara of RB Leipzig is another midfield option, The Times report.

The crazy aspect about all of this, is that even this potential new squad of 18 does not cover all the names linked with moves to United over the past month or so, and it is only March 2.

The transfer window does not officially open until June, and while hopefully some of this talented group will head to Old Trafford, it could all change, and be shaped in a more focused manner once the club decide on a direction for manager.