UNITED SPECIAL
JOSE Mourinho insists he will not add to his attack this summer after securing the services of Alexis Sanchez in January.
But the United manager is expected to embark on another busy transfer window as he looks to mount a serious Premier League title challenge next season.
Mourinho has already made eight signings since taking over at Old Trafford a year and a half ago – but insists he needs further investment to deliver a first title since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.
So where will he look to add when the window opens for business again this summer?
WHERE DOES HE NEED TO STRENGTHEN?
Mourinho planned to make additions to every department at the end of the season, just as he has in his previous two summer windows at United.
Sanchez’s arrival means he has addressed his attack, seemingly ending long-standing interest in Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Antoine Griezmann.
It remains to be seen just how committed he is to that stance should, for instance, Ronaldo become available.
But it is clear his priorities lie elsewhere – with midfield key to his title hopes next season.
Finding someone to play alongside Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic is considered vital. But Mourinho is likely to try to recruit two midfielders to improve his options and give him more opportunities to rotate his engine room.
Having signed a centre-back in each of the past two summers – Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof – Mourinho is likely to try to strengthen at full-back.
ANTONIO VALENCIA MAINTAINS FORM, WHILE ASHLEY YOUNG HAS IMPRESSED AT LEFT-BACK
But both are over the age of 30 – and given the demands on the modern full-back, Mourinho is sure to want to inject youth into his squad.
Luke Shaw’s impressive form in recent weeks has made Mourinho think twice about proposed moves for Alex Sandro and Danny Rose.
The England international has between now and the summer to convince his manager he has a future at Old Trafford and doesn’t need to invest heavily on the left.
On the right, Mourinho is only likely to look for cover for Valencia and Timothy Fosu-Mensah’s form for Crystal Palace could see him added to the squad for next season. WHO ARE THE POTENTIAL TARGETS? Bayern Munich’s Arturo Vidal is one midfielder under serious consideration, while Jean Michael Seri from Nice has also been heavily linked as Mourinho plans changes to his engine room. United’s manager is an admirer of both Rose and Sandro at left-back – but Shaw’s form could prompt a change of plan. MOURINHO WILL WANT COVER FOR VALENCIA ON THE RIGHT Monaco’s Djibril Sidibe was expected to leave the French champions last summer and could be available 12 months on, but Mourinho could spring a surprise, as he did with Bailly two summers ago. HOW MUCH WILL HE SPEND? As Sanchez was a straight swap for Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Mourinho’s summer budget should remain intact. Having spent the best part of James Robson