How Manchester United could line up next season with Donny van de Beek, Jadon Sancho and Dayot Upamecano

Manchester United are aiming to build a third place in the Premier League, with Champions League football also included in the mix for the 2020-21 season.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Red Devils had an exciting run of results following the restart of the season, with United securing a return to Europe’s top club competition during filming.

But if United wants to close the gap between second-placed Manchester City and champion Liverpool, the signings will be key.

Donny van de Beek has completed his stint from Ajax, signing a five-year contract with the option of one more year. Jadon Sancho remains a top priority in attack and Dayot Upamecano is also now reportedly on Solskjaer’s wish list to bolster an already strong defense.

With a lot of work to do, this is what Solskjaer’s team could look like for the new season …

Goalkeeper

This is an area United probably thought they had resolved when David de Gea signed a new long-term contract in September 2019.

However, his alarming drop in form in 2019/20 has apparently led to a rethink, with Dean Henderson likely in the running for the No. 1 jersey after returning from his loan at Sheffield United.

Sergio Romero lost his role as United’s cup goalkeeper during filming despite de Gea’s shaky performances. With Joel Pereira coming out on loan, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Romero leave to let De Gea and Henderson fight, but the Spaniard will start the season in goal.

Defending

If United reaffirms its informed interest in Upamecano, then the 21-year-old would likely be seen as Harry Maguire’s first-choice partner in central defense.

Victor Lindelof may well have a chance to maintain his starting role as Upamecano adjusts to English football, and the Swede formed a good rapport alongside Maguire last season.

However, Upamecano was a first-choice center-back on a team that reached the semi-finals of the Champions League last season, and he’s unlikely to trade it for sitting on United’s bench, even if he gets a big pay raise.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka is Solskjaer’s established first-choice right-back, and Diogo Dalot had little opportunity to make the role his own last term, even losing his backup role to Timothy Fosu-Mensah during the matchup.

On the left side, Luke Shaw regained his starting role from Brandon Williams before the injury ended his season early. Williams will have plenty of opportunities at left back, particularly if Shaw’s injury woes continue.

Another option for Solskjaer would be to return to the three-man defense he used at times last season: With Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw, Eric Bailly, Phil Jones and potentially Upamecano at his disposal, a trio of center-backs would also provide cover. for the lack of a young and top defensive midfielder in the squad.

Midfield

Solskjaer has plenty of options in the middle, but given that he has preferred two players behind an attacking midfielder since the arrival of Bruno Fernandes, he will need them considering how exhausting this season could be.

Van de Beek now offers versatility as he appeared in central, defensive and offensive midfield positions for Ajax in 2019/20.

The Dutch international won’t necessarily be a guaranteed starter for United from the start, but his arrival will strengthen a team that didn’t appear to have quality depth during filming.

Van de Beek will likely initially compete for lead role opportunities with Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic. Scott McTominay is seen as a long-term prospect for United, although Fred’s future may be a bit more uncertain after Van de Beek’s arrival, and Andreas Pereira is expected to be sold if a buyer is found.

Van de Beek should also rotate with Fernandes in a more advanced role in games that United would hope to dominate, particularly as Solskjaer is balancing home and Champions League games in the winter.

Attack

During the showdown, the three forwards of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood tormented rival defenses, while their ages (24, 22 and 18 respectively) should mean there is more to come.

However, when that trio failed to score, Solskjaer wasn’t exactly interested in the other options at his disposal. Dan James played more soccer than anyone would have expected and deserves more time to adjust, while Solskjaer seemed to lose faith in Odion Ighalo as the results became more important.

Juan Mata is an older statesman on the team and is still capable of delivering quality, but that will likely be limited to cameos, so there is a clear need for more quality.

Sancho remains United’s top priority this summer, although a deal with Borussia Dortmund is dragging on and proving difficult.

In pictures | Jadon Sancho training with Dortmund | 10/08/2020

If United and Dortmund manage to find a solution that gets Sancho to Old Trafford, the England international would almost certainly be Solskjaer’s first-choice starter on the right side of the attack with Martial in front and Rashford on the left.

That may sound tough for Greenwood, but Solskjaer is willing to give the 18-year-old time to develop his game away from the immediate need for results.

Regardless, having the best young forwards pushing for starting roles is a problem that Frank Lampard and Pep Guardiola will have this season, and that’s the level United should be at, let alone match Liverpool.

So this is how Manchester United could line up next season with their potential signings …

(4-3-3): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Upamecano, Shaw; Van de Beek, Pogba, Bruno Fernandes; Sancho, Martial, Rashford