MANCHESTER UNITED could be reinforced by two Chelsea outcasts before Friday’s transfer deadline.
The Blues are said to be among a number of clubs interested in Jadon Sancho, alongside Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain.
Sancho, 24, is yet to feature in a matchday squad for Erik ten Hag‘s side this season despite apparently patching things up with the Dutchman following their bust-up last season.
Chelsea have squad concerns of their own after another summer of heavy recruitment.
Enzo Maresca has told Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell they will not be getting minutes at Stamford Bridge this season.
And according to reports, they have offered Man Utd the chance to add the pair to their squad in a swap deal involving Sancho.
But should that deal materialise, how could the Old Trafford outfit line up?
SunSport have taken a look at the possible look of the Red Devils for the upcoming season.
The first and most likely formation would see Sterling and Chilwell come into the team on the left side of attack and defence respectively.
Sterling, 29, could replace Marcus Rashford on the wing as Alejandro Garnacho is then moved to the right side, where he played his most productive football last season.
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Meanwhile, Chilwell, 27, would play in place of injured pair Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
There is also the option for Ten Hag to switch to an aggressive back three.
This could see Chilwell playing in his strongest position of left-wing back and Sterling playing in the front three as either a striker or supporting forward.
Man Utd are also closing in on a deal for Manuel Ugarte, so he is likely to fit into the midfield alongside the other two new arrivals, while the likes of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui are also given game time.
Both Chelsea and Man Utd have one loss and one win so far this season.
Man Utd beat Fulham at home on the opening day before losing late on at Brighton.
Chelsea meanwhile lost to champions Manchester City at home before thrashing Wolves 6-2 away.
MANCHESTER UNITED suffered more misery on the seaside as they lost again at the Amex.
It was almost all so different for the Red Devils as, at 1-1, fans celebrated what they thought was a winner – only for the goal to be ruled out in a bonkers offside call.
And Joao Pedro pounced to snatch the three points for Brighton deep into added time.
Here’s how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rated United’s stars…
ANDRE ONANA – 4/10
Not convincing from a goalkeeper we know can perform with the best in this league.
NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 6
Has been a good upgrade on Wan-Bissaka judging by his opening performances in a United shirt.
HARRY MAGUIRE – 4
Was caught ball watching for Danny Welbeck’s opener, and was rendered useless after letting it run past him twice.
Improved in the second half with some crucial blocks and was decent in terms of building from the back, but his error may have cost his team three points.
LISANDRO MARTINEZ – 5
Not a particularly noticeable performance from ‘The Butcher’ in a positive or negative sense.
Suppose it was a solid showing but was also caught ball watching for the opening goal.
DIOGO DALOT – 7
Was unlucky not to have an assist in the first half, but played well and put the team on his back at times.
Made a crucial goal line block early on in the second half to deny Brighton a two-goal lead and played some good crosses throughout.
CASEMIRO – 6
Stepped into tackles well when required and is having something of a resurgence at the start of this season – doesn’t look as off the pace as he did last campaign.
His final ball was disappointing at times, but overall a solid showing.
KOBBIE MAINOO – 7
Composure personified, Kobbie played like a midfielder well beyond his years.
Was always on hand to break up play, a la N’Golo Kante, but showed a calmness and ability on the half-turn which really puts him up there with the best in the league – a great performance let down by that of his teammates.
MASON MOUNT – 5
Didn’t play badly in the first half, but also added nothing really going forward for this Man Utd team.
Hooked at half-time for the more threatening Joshua Zirkzee.
MARCUS RASHFORD – 6
Had a goal ruled out in the first half after he had persisted brilliantly to head home.
A little unlucky but it was still far from the finest Marcus Rashford performance we have seen, he looked a little low on confidence before being hooked for the more confident Garnacho.
AMAD DIALLO – 8
Had a great chance to open the scoring early on in the game as he arrived at the back post, but it wasn’t quite at the right height for him.
The young winger clearly has bundles of ability, and bagged the equaliser with a fine cut inside and finish with his left foot.
Worth a note that after losing his mother it takes a hell of a man to even be out on that pitch at 22-years-old. Well played Amad, we are with you.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 7
Cut a frustrated figure up front for Man Utd in the first half before thinking he’d bagged an assist when Alejandro Garnacho tapped home, only for it to be ruled out by VAR.
Just wasn’t his day today, but still created chances for his team and looked the most likely source of a winner for the Red Devils.
SUBS:
JOSHUA ZIRKZEE (MASON MOUNT, 45) – 4
His only real action of note in the game was denying his team the winning goal.
Alejandro Garnacho had done the hard work and was about to give Man Utd the lead, only for Zirkzee to slide in and see it ruled out for offside.
His mistake did display an eagerness to score, but it was an error which cost his side nonetheless.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO (MARCUS RASHFORD, 65) – 6
Did his job well in replacing Marcus Rashford and adding the end product which was needed by Erik ten Hag, but was robbed of a goal by his teammate as aforementioned.
Looks a danger whenever he plays on that left hand side, but after the goal that never was he was well defended for the remaining minutes.
SCOTT MCTOMINAY (BRUNO FERNANDES, 79) – 5
Bought on as a target man once again to try and get the winner for United, he wasn’t really provided with many opportunities in just over 10 minutes to really do that.
MATTHIJS DE LIGT (HARRY MAGUIRE, 79) – 5
Wasn’t really given enough of a chance to show what he is all about, but it’s minutes in the tank for the new man and he did what was asked of him after coming off the bench.
ANTONY (AMAD DIALLO, 90) – 5
In fairness to him, made a good run as soon as he entered the pitch and crossed well for Scott McTominay.
However, he wasn’t given enough time to make any significant impact.
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