Fansided

5 possible landing spots for James Rodriguez this summer

By Kevin Parvizi

NUREMBERG, GERMANY - APRIL 28: James Rodriguez of Bayern Munich looks on prior to the Bundesliga match between 1. FC Nuernberg and FC Bayern Muenchen at Max-Morlock-Stadion on April 28, 2019 in Nuremberg, Germany. (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Bongarts/Getty Images)
NUREMBERG, GERMANY - APRIL 28: James Rodriguez of Bayern Munich looks on prior to the Bundesliga match between 1. FC Nuernberg and FC Bayern Muenchen at Max-Morlock-Stadion on April 28, 2019 in Nuremberg, Germany. (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Bongarts/Getty Images) /
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 27: Paul Pogba of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on August 27, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 27: Paul Pogba of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on August 27, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images) /

Manchester United

Manchester United must make massive signings this summer after failing to qualify for the Champions League this season. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer couldn’t give United enough of a lift in the second half of the season, as the Red Devils finished in sixth place.

They were five points behind Tottenham, who grabbed the final Champions League spot in fourth.

While Manchester United’s biggest weaknesses lie on the defensive side of the ball, it’s not like their attacking play is great either. Paul Pogba was easily their best source of threatening passes, leading the team with nine assists.

Currently mired in transfer rumors, Pogba could head to Real Madrid this summer after the Red Devils missed out on Champions League football in 2019-20.

As with PSG, United have been mentioned in swap rumors with Real for James. Though James is not a one-for-one replacement for Pogba – he isn’t nearly as consistent or well-rounded – he can help mitigate the void left by Pogba’s technical class and final ball.

James has the ability to create chances from nothing, and Pogba and Marcus Rashford seem to be the only players on United capable of doing this.

Alexis Sanchez is exactly that type of player when at his best, but United may not be able to count on the high-priced winger after his disastrous 2018-2019 season.

However, a player like James could link up with the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Sanchez successfully, getting the most out of those veteran players and younger stars like Rashford.

James would be an intriguing addition to United’s attack, and, at 60 million euros, he’d be a cheaper alternative to the similarly-skilled (and aged) Christian Eriksen.

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