As Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is about to complete his first full season as Manchester United manager, his track record of signing players at Old Trafford has been nothing short of brilliant so far.
In just three transfer windows, the Norwegian has cleared most of the deadwood at Manchester United, besides making some shrewd signings.
While Solskjaer deserves credit for offloading unwanted players such as Alexis Sanchez, Ashley Young and Chris Smalling, who were on high wages, the 47-year-old also deserves credit for reducing the average age of the Manchester United squad by bringing in talented youngsters.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the signings he has made at Manchester United so far.
#5 Daniel James
Manchester United signed Daniel James from Swansea City for a reported fee of £15 million last summer, with the young Welshman enjoying a brilliant start to life at Old Trafford.
James netted three times in his first four league games, including a goal on his debut against Chelsea. Although the 22-year-old has not found the back of the net in the Premier League since scoring against Southampton in late August, he has chipped in with six assists.
Certainly one for the future, the youngster has a bright future ahead of him.
#4 Odion Ighalo
Odion Ighalo’s signing in January came as a surprise to many Manchester United fans, with very few backing him to shine in a league which he left for China in 2017.
The Nigerian was brought in on loan from Shanghai Greenland Shenhua to provide cover for Marcus Rashford, whose availability for the remainder of the season was in doubt due to an injury setback.
The former Watford man has so far chipped in with four goals in eight appearances in all competitions for Manchester United, who are reportedly keen on making his move permanent this summer.
Ighalo, 30, has thus far mostly played the role of a super substitute for Manchester United .
#3 Harry Maguire
Harry Maguire was signed by Manchester United from Leicester City for £80 million last summer, thereby making the Englishman the most expensive defender in the history of the game.
After his initial struggles, Maguire became a dominant figure at Manchester United as the season progressed. The 27-year-old, who has been a calming influence at the back for Manchester United, was handed the captain’s armband by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after Ashley Young left for Inter Milan in January.
Maguire, whose partnership with Victor Lindelof at the heart of Manchester United’s defence has improved with every game, has started all 29 of the Red Devils’ Premier League games this season, helping his side keep eight clean sheets.
#2 Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s signing last summer was met with a lot of enthusiasm by the Manchester United faithful, owing to his impressive performances for Crystal Palace the season before. The 22-year-old cost the Red Devils £45 million but as things stand, it was money well invested.
Wan-Bissaka is the second-best tackler in the Premier League this season with 99 tackles. The Englishman’s commitment is praiseworthy and his attacking game seems to be improving with every passing match. He’s arguably one of the best full-backs in the league currently.
#1 Bruno Fernandes
A player who was under Manchester United’s radar for quite some time, Bruno Fernandes finally moved to Old Trafford from Sporting Lisbon in January.
While there were doubts about how Fernades would settle in the Premier League, he has scored three and set up four more in his first nine appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils; he has revolutionalised the English giants’ attacking game almost single-handedly.
The Portuguese, who is suited to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s playing style, will likely play a major role for Manchester United in the coming years.Â
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