Transfer Centre

How Manchester United could line up with Paulo Dybala, Samuel Umtiti

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 31 July 2019

Paulo Dybala and Samuel Umtiti are currently being linked with a switch to Manchester United, but how could the pair slot into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's starting lineup?

Despite just eight days remaining in the summer transfer window, Manchester United still find themselves having to work hard in order to strengthen their squad ahead of the new campaign.

Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka have arrived from Swansea City and Crystal Palace respectively, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer still wants to add fresh faces in other areas of the pitch.

The Norwegian is currently keen to ensure that he is able to bring in a replacement for Romelu Lukaku, who is being heavily linked with Inter Milan and Juventus.

The latter are allegedly prepared to offer Paulo Dybala in part-exchange, leaving the Argentine playmaker to make a decision about his future in the coming days.

There is also a desire to sign a high-profile centre-back - especially due to the long-term injury to Eric Bailly - and Barcelona's Samuel Umtiti is said to be back on the radar of the Premier League giants.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at how United could line up against Chelsea on August 11 if Dybala and Umtiti arrive at Old Trafford.

Dybala's versatility in attack could prove to be a considerable asset to Solskjaer, who has several other players who can play in more than one position across the forward line.

As a result of Solskjaer potentially having to accommodate Paul Pogba in his team, we feel that Dybala could end up out on the right-hand side, rather than him playing in the number-10 role and Pogba having to feature in a two-man partnership further back.

There is room for rotation, however, with Marcus Rashford also being able to play down either flank and James an option instead of Anthony Martial, potentially leaving Dybala to play down the middle.

Given the increasing calls for Solskjaer to use Scott McTominay, Pogba would almost certainly be used as the most advanced player in the centre of midfield, with Solskjaer likely to rely on the experience of Nemamja Matic alongside McTominay.

Solskjaer would be left with an easier equation in defence with Samuel Umtiti able to slot into the backline alongside Victor Lindelof, meaning that Chris Smalling and Phil Jones would be kept in reserve.