Jose Mourinho has described himself as "fed up" and "tired of football" after an exhausting first season at Manchester United that left him needing a break.
This, the Portuguese coach said, would mean the burden of transfer business at Old Trafford would be left to United CEO Ed Woodward while he took a step back. Mourinho added that he had given a list of players he wants to Woodward.
United's three trophies last season included the Europa League, which qualified United for next season's Champions League, in turn making the Premier League club a much more attractive destination for prospective players. Here, Newsweek looks at the areas that Mourinho —or, rather, Woodward—will have to address this summer:
Dealing With Rooney
When Wayne Rooney came on for Juan Mata in the 89th minute of the Europa League final last month, the move was seen as a sentimental gesture from Mourinho; a way of allowing him to say goodbye and leave on a high. Rooney had been linked with a lucrative move to the Chinese Super League, but reports suggest he wouldn't be keen on the move. The MLS in the U.S. is an option, too. Rooney, however, is said to want to make a return to Everton, the club he left for United in 2003, aged 16, and the club he grew up supporting. More sentimentality; but that all ends as reports suggest Everton would not be able to afford his wages and the Daily Mail says he would be willing to sit on his contract at Old Trafford until it expires next summer. That wouldn't suit United, nor Mourinho.
Replacing Ibrahimovic
"Thank you and goodbye" seems to be the message from United to Zlatan Ibrahimovic. At the age of 35, Ibrahimovic has come to the end of his one-year contract at United having scored 28 goals in 46 appearances, with crucial goals that helped Mourinho's team to three trophies. But a cruciate ligament injury sidelined the Swede before the end of the season, and the BBC says United will not offer him a contract extension.
This leaves Mourinho in need of a striker. Everton's Romelu Lukaku was believed to be a target but the Belgian reportedly prefers a return to Chelsea, so now Alvaro Morata, the Real Madrid forward, is believed to be United's top target, according to The Guardian. The pace and aerial threat Morata possesses would fit as a replacement for Ibrahimovic, and the 24-year-old has also shown his prolific ability having scored just under a goal every other game last season with 22 in 47. Andrea Belotti, of Torino, is also said to be an option but the Italian club is demanding £70 million for him. United is in a compromised position; it needs a striker and everyone knows it, so inflated valuations will be charged.
Related: Jose Mourinho Makes Big Bid While Chelsea Deals With Diego Costa in Today's Transfer Round-Up
Settling The Defense
That Daley Blind played a large chunk of games at center back for United last season shows the faith Mourinho had in his defenders. Injuries ravaged Chris Smalling's season but the United manager has criticized the English defender, and doesn't appear to have great faith in him. The expectation is that a center back would be high on that scribbled list Mourinho handed to Woodward. In January, Benfica's Victor Lindelof was sought after but the deal didn't make it over the line. This summer, the 22-year-old Swede could be one of United's first confirmed transfers, as reported by The Independent.
Adding Experience to Midfield
Manchester United has one year of 35-year-old Michael Carrick left. The club said goodbye to Bastian Schweinsteiger earlier this year. Morgan Schneiderlin, too. The midfield at Old Trafford is lacking experience, with pressure mounting even greater on the shoulders of the world's most expensive midfielder Paul Pogba. The highly sought after Belgian Radja Nainggolan, 29, is one of the possible targets for the club. Tiemoue Bakayoko, of Monaco, is another midfielder linked with a move to Old Trafford, but for all his quality, the Frenchman is still only 22 and lacks the experience Mourinho likes—and needs.
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