Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho is set to oversee a squad overhaul at Manchester United and his first priority will reportedly be to sign one of his best former players from Premier League rivals Chelsea.
The Jose Mourinho era at Manchester United is set to begin with some huge signings to strengthen a side that failed to qualify for the Champions League this season. This means that Man United are willing to spend multi-million pounds to entice big names from other clubs to join their ship. The Special One has identified two midfielders who could be just what the doctor ordered at Old Trafford, but both will cost upwards of £50 million.
A re-union at a new home
Brazilian winger Willian was the only bright spot during Jose Mourinho’s woeful 2015-16 season at Chelsea. The former Shakhtar Donetsk attacker scored 11 goals and provided seven assists for the Blues, most of them coming under Mourinho before December. In fact it was the Special One who brought the Brazilian to Chelsea, signing him from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala three seasons ago for £30 million.
Mourinho is believed to be interested in bringing the 27-year-old winger to Manchester United, but his performances this season will mean that Manchester United might have to cough up double the amount Chelsea paid for him in order to seal a transfer.
However, Willian remains a big fan of the Portuguese, and his recent comments have fuelled speculation that he may be willing to jump ship in order to re-unite with his former manager.
“Jose is one of the most successful coaches in the world and Manchester United will be stronger with him as manager,” he said, according to the Sun. “I played some of my best football under Mourinho. He is a special coach and I have a great relationship with him.
“Winning the Premier League with him was one of the highlights of my career. I was sad things didn’t work out after that.”
Willian can play in any attacking midfield role and could be used as a number 10 if Mourinho decides to push Wayne Rooney deeper into midfield and get rid of Spaniard Juan Mata. He could also play on the right wing instead of Jesse Lingard, with Mourinho known to prefer experience to youthful exuberance.
Manchester United need Champions League hero
Manchester United may not have set the Champions League on fire this season, but one player who definitely has is Atletico Madrid’s 21-year-old midfielder Saul Niguez. The Spaniard’s brilliant solo goal against Bayern Munich in the first leg of their semi-final at the Allianz Arena gave Atletico an advantage they later capitalized on as they moved on to the final on away goals.
His exploits have attracted interest from some of the top clubs in Europe and the Spain international has also caught the eye of Jose Mourinho. The former Real Madrid manager is looking to use the influence of his agent Jorge Mendes — a part-owner of the company who own Saul’s image rights — to bring the promising young Spaniard to Manchester United this summer, according to the Daily Mail.
However, United would need to shell out his release clause of £54 million to have any hope of signing him. Saul recently signed a new deal at Atletico worth £80,000 a week till 2o21, so the new and improved release clause is the only way that the Red Devils could sign the player.
Saul is primarily a central midfielder, although his versatility means that he can also play out wide and even in defence. This will surely appeal to Mourinho, who will also have taken into account the fact that Saul has been a regular of Diego Simeone’s very successful Atletico Madrid team for the past two seasons.
