Respected Source: Manchester United targeting 5 stars this window

With such a disappointing end to an already average campaign there will be even more pressure on Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho to come up with the goods in his third and possibly final season at the club.

His tactics, man-management and United’s performance levels have been heavily scrutinised in the last 9 months and TFF plans to do a lot more of that but not in this article.

Because this piece pertains specifically to potential transfer business and, if latest reports are to be believed, Manchester United are about to break the bank again.

You’d need a crystal ball to figure out who will come, who will stay and who will leave this club this summer. But, with the window now open, United are reportedly keen on Tottenham centre back Toby Alderweireld and at least four other players.

Respected British media outlet, The Guardian, reports:

While the interest in Alderweireld may put Chris Smalling’s future in the balance, the manager also wishes to add a fresh right-back, left-back, wide forward and at least one midfielder, Shakhtar Donetsk’s Fred is thought to be of interest to Mourinho in the latter position.

TFF has not been a fan of Chris Smalling this season. He’s an excellent athlete but putting the ball at his feet tends to be a disaster, to the extent that we often wonder whether football is even his best sport.

Manchester United need to clear the decks and play Eric Bailly plus one other next season. And Alderweireld would be an awesome signing for the club.

He may be close to 30 but even three years is a long time in football and if he helps to bring a title or two back to the club then the transfer fee will seem immaterial.

The 6ft 2in Belgium international turns 30 next March and has 68 caps and three goals for his country. He’s been a stalwart for Tottenham but looks certain to leave this summer if a fee can be agreed with the ultimate hard bargain driver, Daniel Levy.

United fans: a good signing?