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Jamie Carragher has appointed Liverpool and Manchester City as his favorites to win the 2020/21 Premier League title but says the addition of Jadon Sancho could be enough to transform Manchester United into true challengers next season.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer identified Sancho as his number one attacking target at the start of the summer, but Borussia Dortmund appeared to rule out a move for the 20-year-old winger last month after United failed to meet their € 120 million (107 , 8 million pounds). starting price.
The Red Devils have since signed Donny van de Beek from Ajax for a fee of £ 40 million and many are imagining the club’s chances as a potential underdog heading into the new season, based on his excellent streak at the end of last. period.
The mood at Old Trafford improved dramatically after Bruno Fernandes arrived at the January transfer window and Carragher insists they are not a million miles away from being able to compete with players like Liverpool and City.
‘I don `t believe Manchester United is as far away as people think, ” said the former Liverpool and England defender The Telegraph.
Roy Keane brought me down last year when I said that, but I’ve always thought one or two little things can change it and for me, signing Bruno Fernandes in January has completely changed United.
‘That’s just a signing. He came in and suddenly United were a completely different team.
That’s how close it is. It could be that Jadon Sancho comes in and all of a sudden Manchester United is fighting for the title. ”
When asked if signing Sancho could be crucial to United’s hopes next season, Carragher replied: ‘I think United will finally pay what they have to pay. Ed Woodward is doomed if he does and damned if he doesn’t.
“When United paid huge fees for players in the past, we all laughed and said, ‘They’ve been done again! ”
“People say Woodward is a joke because selling clubs can get him an extra 10 million or 20 million pounds.
“But now Borussia Dortmund have asked £ 108m for Sancho and as United did not pay for it immediately, everyone is criticizing again.”
Carragher says he would be surprised if Liverpool fail to make a move for Sancho within 12 months if United lose him this summer.
United almost have a clear run at Sancho now, but that will change if he is still in Dortmund next year. I would be very surprised if Liverpool didn’t try to sign him next summer. ”
“ Unless United get a couple more I don’t see how they will challenge City and Liverpool at the top.
United also need a center-back. But the fact that Chelsea have signed Thiago Silva tells you that there aren’t many great center-backs. ”
Champions Jurgen Klopp finished 33 points better than United in the English top flight last season and Carragher feels that the gap, as it stands, remains too great for Solskjaer’s men to mount a serious challenge.
“I still see it as Liverpool and Man City,” he replied when asked which team he supports to lift the trophy next year.
“There is too big a gap to bridge for Chelsea and Manchester United to win the 25/30 points they still need.”
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