It is safe to say that Manchester United’s ostentatious start to the campaign, which saw numerous big names of the footballing world joining the side, reached a more or less perfect conclusion as the Red Devils lifted the Europa League trophy on Wednesday after a convincing 2-0 win over a young Ajax side.
Jose Mourinho’s lamentations concerning Premier League’s hectic schedule with a harsh disregard for the European tournament were well-founded. And now that United are in the Champions League, the Thursday night torment is gone, meaning more rest before the weekly domestic league matches.
However, this win doesn’t paper over the cracks for Mourinho’s pathetic Premier League season. The Manchester outfit had to settle for a sixth place in the league table as they succumbed to a terrible 15 draws this season, two more than relegated side Middlesbrough. Mourinho’s squad looked really thin in the closing few weeks of the season and the Portuguese gaffer would make sure they don’t face such a calamity next season.
The largest void present in the United squad is in their midfield. With Morgan Schneiderlin leaving in the winter, which was followed by Bastian Schweinsteiger’s move to Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire a few months later, United are yet to get the necessary reinforcements to fill those gaps. To compound that, Michael Carrick is likely to retire now, which leaves United with Paul Pogba, Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera as the only available options.
And while the towering Fellaini was instrumental against Ajax’s kids, who were unable to cope up with him physically, the Belgian’s Premier League campaign has been a one to forget. Mourinho knows his strengths and weaknesses very well and he has reportedly identified the next crucial addition to the side in Inter Milan’s Ivan Perisic.
The 28-year-old Croatian international has been a star player for the struggling Serie A side and is reportedly willing to move to the Premier League after yet another disappointing season by the Nerazzurri. Inter have finished seventh in the Serie A this term with a Europa League playoff again on the cards. Perisic has been their second highest scorer from the midfield with 10 goals and the same number of assists.
United’s defensive play has cost them big time in the league and Mourinho is willing to change that by bringing in this attacking midfielder. A left winger by nature, Perisic can play on the right flank as well as in the number 10 role. His brilliant ability to hold the ball and create chances which will give Pogba enough time and space to make his impact that was evident at Juventus.
