Unthinkable transfer, priority solved - Five players Man United should target from u21 Euros
With no major senior international tournament to keep fans occupied in the absence of Premier League football, the under-21 European Championships perhaps caught the imagination even more than the money-spinning Club World Cup.
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Lee Carsley guided England to a second successive European championship win at under-21 level as the Young Lions beat Germany in Saturday's final in Bratislava.
Goals from Liverpool winger Harvey Elliott and Ipswich Town star Omari Hutchinson put England into a 2-0 lead but they were pegged back thanks to strikes from Nelson Weiper and Paul Nebel.
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With the match finishing level after 90 minutes, Marseille forward Jonathan Rowe scored the decisive goal in extra time as England ran out 3-2 winners.
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A number of players caught the eye in the competition and, as Manchester United look to strengthen their squad this summer, we have taken a look at five players they should be monitoring in the transfer market.
Harvey Elliott
To cross the divide from Liverpool to United is almost unthinkable but it is perhaps a deal that would suit all parties.
Elliott scored five goals in the competition and was named the tournament MVP. However, game time has been limited at Liverpool and he has hinted he could look for a new challenge this summer.
The 22-year-old would thrive in an attacking midfield role in Ruben Amorim's 3-4-2-1 formation and it is a position United need to strengthen.
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The rivalry between the two clubs make any move difficult but if the opportunity arises, United would be fools not to consider it.
Djaoui Cisse
United need more strength in depth in midfield and Cisse could provide that. The 21-year-old Rennes midfielder helped France reach the semi-finals of the competition and he was one of the standout performers.
He impressed in the middle of the park and scored three goals in the competition, including in les Bleus' quarter-final win over Denmark.
Nick Woltemade
Woltemade was arguably the breakout star of the competition. His six goals for Germany saw him win the Golden Boot and he has a similarly impressive goalscoring record at club level.
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The 23-year-old scored 17 goals for Stuttgart last season as he helped them win the DFB Pokal. United are in the market for a forward this summer and could do a lot worse than the giant striker.
Bayern Munich are keen on a deal, though, and United would have to be quick to challenge the German champions in their pursuit of the forward.
Lucien Agoume
Another midfield option who made quite the impact at these finals. United are known to be in the market for one and the 23-year-old Sevilla star could be a dependable option.
His ability to break up the play was a key factor in France's run to the semi-finals and he has already proven he has what it takes to succeed at La Liga level.
Rocco Reitz
Reitz is a fan favourite at his boyhood club Borussia Monchengladbach and he announced himself on the international scene with his performances for Germany this summer.
The 23-year-old would be another potential midfield option for United to pursue but he still has three years remaining on his current deal at Borussia Park.
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