Manchester United’s Ideal Starting XI with Viktor Gyökeres and Two Other Potential £60m Signings
As Manchester United looks to rebuild under Erik ten Hag, the upcoming transfer window could be pivotal. Among the names linked with a move to Old Trafford is Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres, whose prolific season at Sporting CP has attracted interest from Europe’s elite. With a reported price tag around £60 million, Gyökeres could be the clinical No. 9 United have lacked since the departure of Robin van Persie.
Gyökeres offers more than just goals—his strength, work rate, and pressing ability make him a perfect fit for Ten Hag’s system. He would slot in as the focal point in a front three, likely flanked by Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho, with Bruno Fernandes orchestrating play behind them.
Another £60m signing being considered is Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite. The young centre-back has impressed with his composure and physicality, and could form a solid partnership with Lisandro Martínez. His arrival would allow Raphael Varane to rotate or even move on, given his injury struggles and age.
In midfield, United may push for a dynamic partner to Casemiro—someone like João Neves of Benfica, or possibly Frenkie de Jong, long admired by Ten Hag. Adding an elite box-to-box midfielder would offer balance, creativity, and energy.
With these reinforcements, United’s dream XI could look like this: Onana in goal; Dalot, Branthwaite, Martínez, and Shaw in defence; Casemiro and De Jong in midfield; Fernandes as the playmaker; with Garnacho, Rashford, and Gyökeres forming a dangerous front three.
This mix of youth, experience, and quality would not only solidify United’s top-four ambitions but also bring them closer to challenging for major honours again. The board now faces the challenge of making these signings
a reality.
