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3 midfielders Manchester United should target if Pogba stays at Juventus

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has been linked to a sensational return to Manchester United, with reports of a £100-million bid surfacing as the summer transfer market heats up.

With new manager Jose Mourinho attempting to guide the storied club back to Premier League glory, the Red Devils have already splashed some serious cash in acquiring Armenian international Henrikh Mkhitaryan and bolstered their offensive ranks even further with Swedish icon Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Bringing the French star back to Old Trafford would indeed be incredible, but here are three players Manchester United should consider if Pogba decides to stay in Turin:

Blaise Matuidi

Finding an alternate for Pogba largely depends on how Mourinho envisions playing the Frenchman in his lineup in the first place; since Pogba is quite versatile in midfield, he could be used in a number of different positions.

In a United lineup that features a front four of Ibrahimovic, Anthony Martial, Wayne Rooney and Mkhitaryan, perhaps Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Blaise Matuidi would be an interesting option. Though PSG isn't necessarily strapped for cash, a big-money offer for the 29-year-old might be enough to pry him away from the French capital.

Since PSG recently acquired Grzegorz Krychowiak, Matuidi might astoundingly end up being surplus to requirements under Unai Emery, and he's reportedly already been lined up as a "back-up" option for Mourinho, should Pogba choose to remain at Juventus. His connection with Ibrahimovic would be an added benefit, too.

James Rodriguez

Should Mourinho choose to start a tandem of two central midfielders from the likes of Ander Herrera, Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger, and Michael Carrick, and chooses to drop Rooney and start Martial and Mkhitaryan as left and right wingers, a need emerges in the No. 10 position, a hole James Rodriguez would fill in well.

Very clearly on the outs at Real Madrid, the Colombian wouldn't need much convincing to make a Premier League switch, as United would be a lateral move to an equally iconic club and a platform for Rodriguez to flex his footballing muscles once more.

His talents would be well received by the Red Devils' faithful as former manager Louis van Gaal was oft-criticized for his boring brand of football; Rodriguez offers flair, fancy footwork and a penchant for beautiful goals.

Riyad Mahrez

Mkhitaryan's natural position with Borussia Dortmund was at right wing but in Mourinho's first few friendlies in pre-season, the Armenian was used as a No. 10. If Martial plays out wide on the left, and Ibrahimovic starts up top, perhaps United would do well to spend some cash on reinforcing the right-hand side.

Enter Leicester City star Riyad Mahrez.

The Algerian dominated the Premier League last season en route to a title victory and while the Foxes would certainly like to keep him at King Power Stadium, the club is reportedly willing to part ways with Mahrez for a bid of more than £45 million.

His skill on the ball and his penchant for free kicks makes Mahrez an all-around threat and while he certainly wouldn't command quite as high a fee as Pogba, his presence on the field would be comparable.

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