Now or Never for United: Can United Get Maguire, Fernandes, and Dybala at Old Trafford Before it’s too Late?

Ah, so the day is August 1st. The 2019-2020 Premier League season is 8 days away and it seems like the wind has left Manchester United's sails. After a heroic start to the transfer window, the Red Devils could field a team very similar to the one that plunged them into despair during the latter period of their previous campaign.

So United was on the cusp of signing Harry Maguire from the Leicester City. The fee was going to be a world-record one for a defender but the move has stalled. It's been weeks since the news broke and yet his move to United is anything but official.

Manchester Evening News

That takes us to Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese midfielder has been linked with United for what seems like an eternity. Despite this, Fernandes remains a Sporting Libson player. According to 90min.com, a deal with Fernandes is close to being made but hasn't that been the headline all summer?  It's now or never for Ed Woodward. Can he get both Maguire and Fernandes to United? 

So I think United need to cough up the money for Maguire. I don't care if it's a bit too much. They're in desperate need of a world-class center-back. They can't afford to field Chris Smalling again if they're hoping to truly compete for a spot in the top 4.

Furthermore, Maguire would be the keystone piece in a defense that is looking superb. Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, and Luke Shaw make up that backline and with Maguire in it, United will have gone from a poor defense to a great one.

So what about the midfield? I've all but given up on Bruno Fernandes. But there might be an even better option. Paulo Dybala. 

Independent

Manchester United are in a position to practically steal Dybala from Juventus. Rumors are circulating that United would send Romelu Lukaku to Juve in return for Dybala. This seems absurd and I think in the end the deal will consist of Lukaku for Dybala plus a cash payment from United to Juve.

I've seen several United fans on Twitter share their disgruntled opinions on acquiring Dybala. I get that considering he didn't have a good season at Juventus last year plus he didn't even start for Argentina in their Copa America campaign this summer. Even so, I still hold Dybala in high regard and I could see him thriving at Old Trafford.

Regardless of his struggles last season, Dybala is exactly what United need. Even without Lukaku, United have enough forwards and wingers in Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard, and Daniel James. Dybala would fall into the #10 role and I think manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is too smart to not play him there.

United's could field a combination of Dybala, Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay in the center of the pitch. Having been former teammates at Juventus, Dybala, and Pogba, two of the worlds most creative players would be reunited. This is something I think people are taking for granted. Pogba and Dybala together once again could see United soar to new heights. All Pogba needs is a solid strike partner and Dybala fits the bill.

Manchester Evening News

So can the arrival of Dybala at United mirror past moves by United that ended terribly? It could. But it won't. Talent is talent and when utilized correctly, Dybala could give United a new dynamic. Outside of Pogba, United had zero central midfielders that can be relied upon to create chances and facilitate play. Dybala could provide that.

So United have an extremely crucial week ahead of them. Can they get Maguire, Fernandes, and Dybala over the line? If they could manage to get 1 of them that would be great but if they could get 2… well that would be huge.

If United want to right the ship, they need to get signings over the line. Something they've been unable to do of late.