Fansided

5 players Manchester United could target this summer

By Liam Bekker

Manchester United's French midfielder Paul Pogba (L) shakes hands with Manchester United's Norwegian manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (R) on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Cardiff City at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on May 12, 2019. - Cardiff won the game 2-0. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)
Manchester United's French midfielder Paul Pogba (L) shakes hands with Manchester United's Norwegian manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (R) on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Cardiff City at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on May 12, 2019. - Cardiff won the game 2-0. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 12: Aaron Wan-Bissaka of Crystal Palace looks on during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and AFC Bournemouth at Selhurst Park on May 12, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 12: Aaron Wan-Bissaka of Crystal Palace looks on during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and AFC Bournemouth at Selhurst Park on May 12, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images) /

Aaron Wan-Bissaka

With veteran full-back and captain Antonio Valencia on his way out, Manchester United are in need of a quality player to take over at right-back. The club have been linked with a move for a number of players in recent weeks, with PSG’s Thomas Meunier and Crystal Palace’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka identified as two potential replacements.

Meunier is one of the best attacking full-backs in the game and would be a quality addition but the Belgian international should be an alternative to Wan-Bissaka rather than the priority signing. The latter enjoyed a break out season in the Premier League and is the latest in a line of talented right-backs to have come out of England in recent years.

Crystal Palace have reportedly slapped a £60million ($76million) price tag on their starlet which may prove a stumbling block but a player of Wan-Bissaka’s quality warrants a significant outlay. The 21-year-old was the star turn in Roy Hodgson’s side this season and featured in all but three league matches for the club. Such was his influence that he was named Palace’s Player of the Season despite it being his first full campaign in professional soccer.

United have failed in the market in recent seasons as a result of short-term thinking and overlooking the England youth international would see them repeating the same mistakes. Meunier may well prove to be the cost-effective option, but he doesn’t offer the same benefits in the long-run as Wan-Bissaka, who has all the qualities to become a key figure for the club over the next decade.

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