Griezmann one of five new starters: Manchester United possible starting XI on first day of 2017/18
COMMENT By Dominic Toner
Football Insider gazes into its crystal ball and predicts the Manchester United team for the opening day of the 2017/18 campaign.
Jose Mourinho is set for a busy summer transfer window as he aims to help the Red Devils return to the top of English football.
His side have fallen just short this season in the title race and are 14 points adrift of leaders Chelsea.
However, they are still in the hunt for the top four and Mourinho is set to receive the backing of the board in the summer to improve his squad.
Victor Lindelof, Danny Rose, Toni Kroos, Willian and Antoine Griezmann have all been reported targets for United, and would help provide a formidable starting XI next season if Mourinho could complete a remarkable summer of business.
United supporters will be desperate to see David De Gea stay at Old Trafford for another season, despite interest from top European clubs following him every year.
Antonio Valencia has managed to become a very consistent performer at right-back and Mourinho could look to keep him in that role, while summer signing Eric Bailly has also impressed with his performances at centre-back.
They may be looking for a long-term partner for Bailly and have been strongly linked with a move for Benfica centre-back Lindelof.
The Mirror claimed he was a priority signing in January, but they could return in the summer after failing to capture the highly rated 22-year-old.
English left-back Luke Shaw has seen his future at Old Trafford become uncertain after falling out-of-favour and could be replaced by Tottenham ace Rose.
The Sun claim that United are interested in Spurs duo Kyle Walker and Rose, and the latter would be an excellent addition at left-back.
Paul Pogba and Ander Herrerea look set to be in contention for a starting spot last season, but Mourinho will surely purchase a replacement for the ageing Michael Carrick.
United have been linked with German international Toni Kross in the past and he would be a marquee signing if they persuaded him to join.
Attacker Henrikh Mkhitaryan has seen his United career ignite after a slow start and is set to play an important role in the next few seasons, but they will be keen to add more attacking options.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is reaching the latter stages of his career, while Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata and Marcus Rashford have been alternated this season.
The Daily Star report that the Red Devils are preparing a summer move for Chelsea winger Willian and an offer of around £40million could seal the deal.
United are also eyeing Atletico Madrid star Griezmann in the summer, but the Sun report he will snub a move if they miss out on the Champions League.
Mourinho is highly unlikely to pull off each of these deals in the summer, but the manager is certainly looking to build a squad that can clinch the Premier League title.
In other Manchester United news, Jamie Carragher has compared Liverpool to the club.
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