Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will insist on FOUR new first-team signings for next season in the wake of Europa League final defeat… with Jadon Sancho back to the top of the wishlist
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has already set his mind on rebuilding a new-look team
- The Manchester United boss is reeling after losing the Europa League final
- Solskjaer will tell the United hierarchy he needs four new first-team names
- Jadon Sancho tops the list and the signing of a new centre back will be a priority
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants up to four new major signings to breathe new life into his Manchester United squad – with Jadon Sancho top of his list.
Solskjaer’s lack of faith in the depth of his squad was exposed as United slumped to Europa League defeat on penalties against Villarreal with the Norwegian refusing to turn to his bench until the 100th minute.
But he is determined to rectify that following United’s trophyless campaign with right wing, centre back, centre midfield and striker Solskjaer’s priority positions for strengthening.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been left thinking of signings after losing the Europa League final
The right wing role has been an issue for United for some time and Borussia Dortmund’s Sancho remains Solskjaer’s top choice to solve his search.
United tried but failed to sign Sancho last summer, refusing to meet Dortmund’s £108million asking price.
But they remain frontrunners for his signature. Dortmund will let England starlet Sancho, 21, leave this summer for the right fee.
Jadon Sancho tops United’s wish list once again and Dortmund are now ready to sell up
Their asking price will be lower this time around though they have yet to finalise the figure that will tempt them into a sale and talks over a potential deal are ongoing.
Villarreal’s Pau Torres impressed against United and is among the centre back options being considered along with Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane.
United are also interested in West Ham’s Declan Rice but are wary of the big-money price tag the East Londoners will put on their captain.
With a striker also wanted, Solskjaer has a number of players he could offload to give him further room for manoeuvre in the transfer market.
Among them is one of their main goalkeepers with United braced for either David de Gea or Dean Henderson’s departure.
United need a centre back and will look to move for either Pau Torres or Raphael Varane (right)
Solskjaer has alternated between both De Gea and Henderson this season.
De Gea got the nod in the Europa League final but ended the night as the fall-guy, having his crucial spot-kick saved in the shootout.
Solskjaer knows he will not be able to keep both stoppers happy again by sharing the games between them.
With Sergio Romero and Lee Grant also set to leave, United have already moved to re-sign academy product Tom Heaton on a free from Aston Villa to bolster their ranks.
Heaton, though, is re-joining with the expectation that he will be No 2 next season leaving Solskjaer with another goalkeeping dilemma, this time over who to part with out of De Gea and Henderson.
David De Gea was the man at fault in the final, and it could have been his last United match
