Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a tough assignment to catch Man City and Liverpool.
The campaign which embarked the journey where it looked certain that Man United’s ascendency among the European elite would be a painful ride, the nerve-jangling league showdown against Leicester City proved to be a fitting conclusion to the season.
Crucially, the Red Devils find a place beneath Liverpool and Man City, and a ticket to Champions League football after a hiatus of more than 12 months. Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has done his season’s job by providing solid evidence of his rebuild heading towards a positive direction. Now, it’s time he gets the financial backing from Old Trafford bosses, deservedly.
Jadon Sancho, who has been Man United’s most revered transfer target, should be pursued by the club on all fronts, having secured the elite European competition for the upcoming term. Having their finances sorted out, this deal should accelerate in a few days time.
However, this has not been the modus operandi of the Salford club, who, despite spending big bucks, take careful steps in the transfer market in a bid to avoid being played at the hands of the selling party. This is a visible trend since Ed Woodward began dialogues with Steve Paris, Crystal Palace’s part-owner, for the services of Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Not that United don’t want to spend exorbitant amounts, the understanding of the club’s board has been to make the dialogues tedious so that opposite end is tired into accepting their offer. The best example of Red Devils’ adamance has been Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes, where the deals have been struck in the dying stages of the window.
What a man 🥰#MUFC @GulfOilIntl pic.twitter.com/QeuV2kXx5d
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 26, 2020
Similarly, Matt Judge and Ed Woodward, Manchester United’s negotiator-in-chiefs, might play the waiting game where, currently, they stand £20m apart in the valuation of Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund. However, with UCL now being secured, the dialogues could begin shortly between the clubs.
More from Manchester United
- Arsenal transfer news: Mikel Arteta rivals Manchester United for wonderkid
- Manchester United: Erik ten Hag pinpoints 4 players amid Brighton loss
- Manchester United predicted lineup vs Bayern Munich – UEFA Champions League 2023/24
- 3 reasons why other clubs are ‘annoyed’ by Erik ten Hag and Manchester United
- Manchester United: Erik ten Hag’s constant “crybaby” excuses don’t add up
"Manchester United will push ahead with their move to sign Jadon Sancho after confirming their place in next season’s Champions League.Sancho remains United’s top summer target and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and chief negotiator Matt Judge will now set about agreeing a fee with Borussia Dortmund. (Rob Dawson, ESPN)"
It is a negotiation ploy which has worked for Man United, thus far. Although considering a short gap from now till the start of next season, it would be a wise move to conclude the deal early, ensuring optimum time for Sancho to find his feet in a different environment.
All developments suggest that Die Borussen have begun their preparations for life after Jadon Sancho. Milot Rashica, and recently, Jonathan Ikone have been identified as the candidates to reinforce the attacking department if/when Jadon Sancho leaves the Bundesliga.
Citing the economic constraints of the majority European clubs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Man United are the only club who is learnt to be in the race to attain the services of highly-rated Sancho.
Recently, Sancho, too, has asked his current employers to let him leave should a suitable offer from England arrives as he feels ‘homesick’. All-in-all, each factor hints at Man United attaining their number one target, but it completely depends on the English club to pull the strings of the deal with Borussia Dortmund.