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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Jack Grealish of Aston Villa applauds the fans after the Sky Bet Championship Play Off Semi Final first leg match between Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion at Villa Park, Birmingham on Saturday 11th May 2019. (Photo by Leila Coker /MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Jack Grealish of Aston Villa applauds the fans after the Sky Bet Championship Play Off Semi Final first leg match between Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion at Villa Park, Birmingham on Saturday 11th May 2019. (Photo by Leila Coker /MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /

Jack Grealish

Manchester United could be faced with a midfield crisis heading into next season. Ander Herrera and Juan Mata are both out of contract, Fred has failed to live up to expectation and the futures of Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic appear to be away from the club. Swansea’s Daniel James is close to signing if reports are to believed but United would do well to add further reinforcements.

One player they could turn to is Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish. The 23-year-old enjoyed a stellar season in the Championship and played an instrumental role in the club’s promotion.

Grealish has grown in leaps and bounds over the last few seasons where he has shouldered the responsibility of getting Aston Villa back into the Premier League. His maturity, which was questioned during his early years, has seen him assume an integral role within the club and earned him the captain’s armband during the latter parts of the current campaign.

And while Grealish continues to grow as a leader, his improvements on the pitch have been just as impressive. The Birmingham-born star has excelled in both deeper and more advanced midfield positions where his passing range and confidence on the ball have been on display for all to see. He is also an attacking threat and chipped in with six goals and six assists this season.

Aston Villa will be unwilling to part with Grealish for cheap, especially after gaining promotion, but United are in desperate need of a player who is able to control proceedings from the middle of the park. Grealish might just be the man to step into that role for them.

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