After a season with no silverware at Manchester United, fans of the Old Trafford outfit will be wondering how Jose Mourinho is going to turn things around.
Despite finishing second in the league behind heavy-hitting Manchester City, many United fans will have viewed last seasons performance as under par.
Martial is reportedly a target of both Tottenham and Juventus. The 22-year-old Frenchman burst onto the scene, but hasn’t been a real force in the Manchester United side of recent seasons. Mourinho may well be weighing up his options in his forward line this summer. A new addition, replacing Martial, could be the missing ingredient to the success of the past at Old Trafford.
The January transfer to bring in Chilean Alexis Sanchez just didn’t seem to work out in the way Mourinho hoped it might. Two Premier League goals, and always seeming to slow play down, he showed glimpses but did not set the world alight. Mourinho will want to make sure he has the most effective combination of a front three possible, as he sets about the task of chasing down Manchester City, who look unstoppable under the guidance of Pep Guardiola.
With that in mind, here is Man United’s dream 18/19 attack under Mourinho…
Marcus Rashford has often been left on the sidelines in the Mourinho era. He can’t seem to get a sustained spell in the side to establish himself.
The England international possesses great pace, and will take on the very best defences and likely leave defenders trailing at his feet. He can carry the ball with pace, and knows where the net is.
His pace adds a new dynamic to the United forward line, helping them get in behind defences. If the Red Devils are to lose Martial, Rashford surely has to be given a chance to be a regular starter.
Romelu Lukaku scored 27 goals in all competitions last season.
The target man should be the spearhead of Mourinho’s dream front three. Lukaku is absolutely dominant in the air, and adds strength and physicality up top.
If Lukaku gets the right delivery into the box, he is more likely than not to finish. He adds a directness to Manchester United’s play, and scores big goals. He scored 27 last season, whilst arguably not playing his very best football. He is a natural born goal scorer.
Perisic is heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford, and would be a fantastic addition.
The Croatian recently helped his national side to a World Cup final. He would be a perfect player to play alongside Romelu Lukaku, and would deliver some great through balls and crosses into the Belgian. He himself is something of a set piece specialist and also knows how to score from open play. His experience means he is a classic Mourinho signing.
Capable of playing out wide, or as a shadow striker, there is a directness to Perisic’s play which makes him preferable to Alexis Sanchez. Perisic (valued at £40.5m by Transfermarkt) has been in fine form in Serie A for many seasons, and would become one of the best wingers in the Premier League should the transfer go through.