Manchester United draw up eight-man shortlist for long-term success

Struggling Premier League giants Manchester United have reportedly drawn up a shortlist of eight long-term transfer targets is reports in England are to be believed. 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is likely to be given a big war-chest to strengthen in January as he bids to take the Red Devils back into the top four of the Premier League. 

The top name in the list and also the most accomplished player in the list is Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic, who is a forgotten man at the Turin club. The 33-year-old has not featured for the Old Lady since the summer following the appointment of Maurizio Sarri despite being a key player for the serial Serie A winners for years. 

The Italian giants could be willing to sell the veteran forward on a cut-price and he could still have a major impact for the Red Devils in the short-term. With his immense experience across Europe, Mandzukic would provide a genuine goal-threat, which neither Marcus Rashford nor Anthony Martial has been able to offer playing up front. 

But ahead of January, Solskjaer has reportedly identified another eight players he wants to bring to Old Trafford and they are all long-term targets unlike Mandzukic. 

Reports in England claim that Manchester United are keen on striking a £200 m double swoop for Borussia Dortmund's winger Jadon Sancho and Red Bull Salzburg's Erling Braut Haaland. 

Jadon Sancho would walk into the starting XI if he indeed moves to Old Trafford, while red-hot striker Haaland could be loaned back to Red Bull Salzburg to continue his progress. 

The other names in Solskjaer's wishlist are all under the age of 27 and that clearly shows how the club's transfer strategy has changed. It is not short-term success the club is seeking but rather the bigger picture is considered. 

English duo James Maddison of Leicester City and Declan Rice of West Ham United are both long-term targets of the Red Devils and both of them has made the list. Striker duo Callum Wilson of Bournemouth and Moussa Dembele of Lyon also find themselves on the wishlist. 

Aston Villa star midfield duo Jack Grealish and John McGinn have also made the list with their impressive performances for the Midlands club this season. They both are creative and have an eye for goals from the middle of the park and would be massive upgrades on the players Manchester United have in midfield. 

However, it is unlikely that Manchester United will be sanctioning deals for every name on the list as all of them combined could cost the club close to £500 m which is not possible to sanction in a single window.

Feature image credit - Sky Sports