Who should Jose Mourinho buy and sell at Manchester United?
With Jose Mourinho taking over at Manchester United, the mercurial manager will be tasked with overhauling a squad that failed to live up to expectations -- FA Cup win notwithstanding. Which players could the Portuguese send packing, and who might be brought in to help right the ship at Old Trafford? We take a look at some potential ins and outs here:
OUT: Juan Mata, IN: James Rodriguez
Oh, Mata. For all we know, there's a clause in Mourinho's contract stipulating Mata be sold posthaste. Curious though it may be, Mourinho never rated the Spaniard ... dating back to their time together at Chelsea. Mou demands defensive contribution from all of his players, one thing that Mata is in short supply of. Despite all of the 27-year-old's desirable qualities, he's sure to be plying his trade anywhere but Old Trafford. He won't be tough to sell, though.
In Mata's place, James Rodriguez could enter ... albeit at a steep price. A lack of Champions League football might be a sticking point for James, but he isn't getting very regular European minutes with Real Madrid, anyway. The Colombian playmaker could be a boon for a midfield that will most likely line up in Mourinho's preferred 4-2-3-1. The versatile James can play anywhere in the attacking band of midfielders, assuming United pony up the cash to pry him away.
OUT: Adnan Januzaj, IN: Joao Mario
The Man United faithful likely won't be happy to see him go, but a split for Januzaj and the Red Devils could be mutually beneficial. It's no state secret that Mourinho has a preference for fielding established players rather than nurturing the on-field development of youngsters. Januzaj isn't quite ready to be a day-in, day-out starter for United, but he should be getting consistent playing time. The easiest solution for both parties is to part ways.
The raid on clubs in Portugal is already at full tilt, as Bayern have snapped up Renato Sanches from Benfica for a pretty penny. Mourinho and United could be next, with Sporting Lisbon midfielder/winger Mario the perfect target. Portuguese connection aside, Mario's versatility fits Mourinho's profile like a glove. A reported $67 million buyout clause might be a stumbling block, but not for United. Considering the rumored numbers being bandied about for Mourinho's transfer budget this summer, whatever Man U and Mourinho want, Man U and Mourinho can get.
OUT: Phil Jones, IN: Raphael Varane
Manchester United's defense needs a major upgrade. Chris Smalling is a keeper, but anyone else in the since-departed Louis van Gaal's patchwork back line could see the door, or at the very least be dropped to the squad and replaced in the starting XI. Phil Jones fell out of favor with van Gaal, and it's tough to imagine him making an impression on Mourinho. Then again, Jones is just 24 years old and has the coveted homegrown designation. Nevertheless, his days could be numbered.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid likely have no interest in selling Varane, especially to Mourinho, but money solves everything ... and United have the capital to make an offer that'd be tough to refuse. As for Varane, the Frenchman's recent injury and dicey form have seen him fighting for a consistent spot among Real Madrid's starters. At United, he would undoubtedly start regularly when healthy. Considering Mourinho once called Varane the "best central defender in the world," it'd make sense for the two to reunite.
IN: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
With Wayne Rooney on the back nine of his career and Anthony Martial a relative unproven commodity; Mourinho will need reinforcements up top. Marcus Rashford has been a nice story, but when is the last time Mourinho counted on an 18-year old to lead his attack? Ibrahimovic is no spring chicken at 34 years old, but his track record is undeniable. He's also available for free, which is always a nice bonus. Mourinho managed to find a role for an aging Didier Drogba at Chelsea, so why not Dare to Zlatan at United?
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