Robbie Savage believes that Manchester United need to sign three players if they are to properly challenge at the top of the Premier League next season, per BBC 606 (February 23, 1:30).
What’s the word?
United climbed into fifth-place after their 3-0 win over Watford on Sunday.
They are three points behind Chelsea and have 11 games of the season remaining as they attempt to finish in the top four and qualify for the Champions League – provided that Manchester City’s ban is upheld, there is the prospect of the fifth-placed team earning their way into Europe’s premier club competition.
Savage believes that United will be able to invest heavily in their squad if they do progress into the tournament and speculates that around £250m would be enough to bring in a trio that could change their fortunes.
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He has urged them to buy Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho, Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish and Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly.
He said: “I wrote a piece in the paper, in my column, suggesting that if you get Champions League, the players I would go for would be Sancho, Grealish and Koulibaly.
“If you get those three players for say 250 million, that’ll be two great transfer windows for Ole and United.
“With those three, you write the team down, it would be a very, very, very good side that could challenge.”
Not the only answer
Spending a shedload of cash might not be the answer here.
United have splashed the cash since the 2013/14 season, racking up a total investment of £997.7m
They have spent, in succession, £69.42m in 13/14, £175.82m in 14/15, £140.4m in 15/16, £166.5m in 16/17, £140.4m in 17/18, £175.82m in 18/19 and, most recently, £192.6m in 19/20, per Transfermarkt.
Their highest finish in that time came in 17/18, when they were second, but they have averaged a finish of fifth in that time, and have won three trophies, the FA Cup, the EFL Cup and the Europa League.
Throwing money at issues doesn’t work.
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The more appropriate way of spending the summer would be to work on a proper footballing structure, to help the January signing Bruno Fernandes – who cost an initial £47m – and to appoint a Director of Football.
Just going out and pretending to play Football Manager by signing three obvious players for huge sums is not the answer.
It is easy punditry, though, so nobody should be surprised that Savage said it.
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