Four Manchester United players that Arsenal should try to sign

Jadon Sancho


By Tum Balogun 


The run continues and with every passing victory the dream of not just Champions League football, but a title push starts to feel more real. 


Next on the chopping block is the ever-improving Manchester United who have rebounded from their Brentford nadir and secured three wins on the bounce. 


There is a surprisingly long list of players who have featured for both clubs, in recent history, the likes of Robin Van Persie, Danny Welbeck, Alexis Sanchez and Henrikh Mkhitaryan have called both the Emirates and Old Trafford home.


So ahead of this afternoon’s storied match-up let’s look at four United players who should accompany the Gunners and all three points on the team bus back down south. 


Jadon Sancho 


One of United’s marquee signings last summer, Sancho suffered from the same malaise that has befallen pretty much all Old Trafford arrivals since Alex Ferguson’s departure in 2013.

 

Now with Erik Ten Hag at the wheel, the 22-year-old is starting to show the trickery which had all onlookers purring in his glittering two-season cameo at Borussia Dortmund with last Monday’s calm touch and deft finish against Liverpool being a case in point. 


Sancho is of the mould of Arsenal’s best attackers and would be a good addition to the exciting roster Mikel Arteta has at his disposal. 


If we delve into the realms of reality - only for a second - the astronomical fee that would be required to pry him away from Manchester would be an issue, but in terms of his style of play and application, Sancho would be a terrific addition. 


Casemiro 


There’s not much to say about the Brazilian who has anchored one of modern football’s most imperious midfields. 


It is still a little crazy that United currently boast three of Real Madrid’s most influential players who helped them secure four Champions League crowns in five years - Casemiro of course prolonged his stay to claim a fifth in last year’s 1-0 win against Liverpool.


A tough tackling number six who possesses a nostradamic ability to sniff out danger, as well as a postgraduate degree from the School of Dark Arts, there is a very short list of clubs who wouldn’t benefit from the 30-year-old's talents. 


At the very beginning of his journey with his new club, Arteta would have to produce one hell of an inspirational speech to convince him to swap Carrington for London Colney. 


Alejandro Garnacho


A slightly left-field selection but Garnacho has quickly ascended the ranks at Old Trafford to be one of United’s brightest young stars. 


At only 18 years old the Spanish-born Argentinian has many years of development ahead, but he already has three first-team appearances to his name. 


As well as five caps for Argentina at U20 level with an impressive return of four goals in those games. 

A skilful winger, Garnacho starred in the Red Devils’ FA Youth Cup final win against Nottingham Forest in May, scoring twice in a 3-1 win in front of 67,492 fans at Old Trafford. 


The starlet is certainly one to watch and considering the ludicrous fees paid for footballers in this day and age, an early swoop may be the only way to secure his services. 


Raphael Varane

 

Stay with me here. 


Arguably the story of Arsenal’s season so far has been the dominant performances of William Saliba and, in a wider context, his impressive partnership with Gabriel Magalhães. 


But despite the heart-warming resurgence of Arsenal’s now third-favourite Gabriel, few could argue he is a better player than four-time Champions League and 2018 World Cup winner Raphael Varane. 


Don’t let last season fool you, the atmosphere at United has proven itself to be crippling to all but a few who have passed through their gates and early signs of the Ten Hag reign suggest the Varane of old may soon return. 


Still only 29, Varane’s biggest weakness may be his troubles with injuries but his ability on the ball, his speed and his aerial abilities mean he should be considered one of the finest central defenders of his generation. 


An all-French partnership of Varane and Saliba would make even the most ardent Gabriel fans drool and almost certainly improve the Gunners' defensive numbers. 


If nothing else, he’ll be an improvement on the current defensive unit. 

Saliba, Gabriel, Ben White and Raphael Varane - now that’s a set of centre-halves befitting Premier League title winners.  

Photo Credit: Getty Images 

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