Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is determined to sign Jadon Sancho. And the Norwegian could use the English contingent of Harry Maguire, Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard to help the club in their mission to recruit the Borussia Dortmund star when the transfer window reopens. It was a sneaky tactic that worked in the summer – and could do so again this year.
Last summer, Manchester United boss Solskjaer wanted to sign Maguire.
He had identified the England international as a priority target to shore up his club’s defence with the likes of Marcos Rojo, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones all not good enough.
Leicester, however, were tough negotiators. They flatly refused to sell Maguire and, with days of the transfer window to go, a move was left in limbo.
Ultimately, United got a deal over the line with Solskjaer landing his man in a huge, world-record deal worth £85million.
But it was only made possible because of the work of Lingard and Rashford behind the scenes.
The English duo spent weeks talking to Maguire, bombarding him with messages about what it would be like to play for United – and how Solskjaer had big plans for him.
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The United manager trusts his players and their judgement. What he heard about Maguire from Rashford and Lingard only emboldened his belief the centre-back must be signed.
And Solskjaer could feasibly ask Maguire, Rashford and Lingard to embark on a charm offensive when it comes to securing Sancho’s signature.
United aren’t the only club keen to recruit the Dortmund star. The 20-year-old also has admirers at Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool and PSG.
But Rashford, Maguire and Lingard could all help swing the transfer pendulum their way.
It’s Rashford who is understood to be closest to Sancho. The pair grew close while the Dortmund star lived in Manchester and they’re regularly in contact with one another, exchanging messages on social media platforms.
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For Sancho, the prospect of playing alongside his friend at Old Trafford will be tempting. Especially with Solskjaer’s side in such fine fettle at present.
Lingard may not have been much use for United on the pitch this season.
But he can be useful off it and is another one who knows Sancho personally. Playing alongside somebody with such a bubbly personality will also be a temptation to the Dortmund forward.
Solskjaer used United’s English players to talk Maguire into moving to Old Trafford 12 months ago.
And now the Norwegian can use that same cunning tactic with Sancho.
If he does, the title the club have had to live without since Sir Alex Ferguson’s emotional retirement may be within reach once again.
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