How United could line up with Neymar or Griezmann ... or both
Manchester United looks hellbent on flaunting its hefty chequebook this summer. With various reports flying that Jose Mourinho will invest heavily to ensure his Red Devils are back among the Premier League's elite next season, it seems lavish expenditure is guaranteed.
On who, remains the only question.
United, sitting fifth in the table heading into the stretch run of the campaign, remains a flawed squad - particularly in midfield and, especially, in defence. But the Stretford End demands entertainment - in addition to success - that hearkens back to the days of Sir Alex Ferguson, and that could see scatter-gun transfer dealer Ed Woodward reach deep into the coffers to bolster the side by adding further firepower to an already well-stocked frontline.
Reports in Spain emerged Monday that United would be willing to part with the €200 million necessary to activate Barcelona superstar Neymar's mammoth buyout clause. Rumours of a summer swoop for fellow La Liga stud Antoine Griezmann, meanwhile, have long persisted.
Will the club, one summer after breaking the transfer record to bring Paul Pogba back to Manchester, outdo itself and ink one of the two? How about both?
Maybe. Maybe not. But one thing is for sure, either of them would instantly make both United, and the Premier League, more enjoyable viewing. In the interest of said entertainment, here are a few ways Mourinho could line up his side should the high-profile signatures be procured.
Break the bank for Neymar
Again, this needs to be prefaced with the disclaimer that Neymar is highly unlikely to be playing for Manchester United next season. Would the club brass like to sign him? Absolutely. At only 25, he's already the best player on the planet not named Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo right now.
Will it actually happen. Probably not. Alright? Good.
Now on to the fun stuff - for everyone except Anthony Martial and, to a lesser extent, Marcus Rashford.
If the fleet-footed Brazilian was to bring his tricks, flicks, and flair to Old Trafford, he would instantly become the automatic choice to man the left wing, pushing the aforementioned Frenchman firmly to the bench.
A 4-3-3 system would also give Mourinho the kick in the backside he apparently needs to play Pogba, who has been good - if slightly underwhelming - in his first season back in England, in his best position.
Neymar and Pogba together on the left side of the pitch? Yes please.
Pry Griezmann away from Atletico
The more likely summer signing for Mourinho's Red Devils appears, at least at the moment, to be Griezmann. Sure, he's said that he is happy at Atletico Madrid, but that hasn't stopped players before.
It's not quite the kiss of death that a managerial vote of confidence is, but it's good practice not to put too much faith in player statements vaguely claiming loyalty to a certain club.
"My future? I only care about what happens on the pitch," Griezmann recently said. "I am happy in Madrid. Nothing changes."
Related - United target Griezmann: 'No reason' to leave Atletico
Money, of course, has a way of changing things. Particularly when copious amounts of it are being waved in your face.
United would need to trigger the versatile French forward's €100-million buyout clause to make this deal become a reality, but doing so would give Mourinho a handful of options up front; Griezmann can play alone up top, alongside a strike partner, behind a centre-forward, or even tucking in off the wing as part of a three-man support line behind the striker.
The nuclear option
Now we're talking.
Remember when some were worried the trio of Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar may not jive at Barcelona - too many cooks in the kitchen, and all that. It's worked out just fine, you could say.
In theory, only having one ball on the pitch would pose a problem in this make-believe quest to simultaneously have four megastars who can all be focal points of their team's attack.
In practice, this quartet - working on the assumption Zlatan Ibrahimovic returns for another season with the club - would generate more buzz than Eric Cantona flying into the crowd to drop a kung-fu kick on a fan.
We're after maximum amusement here, remember. We can only dream.