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Expect no more swaps between Super Cup contenders

By Josh McSwain

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 04: David De Gea of Manchester United looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford on April 4, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 04: David De Gea of Manchester United looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford on April 4, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
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No possible Super Cup clubs will swap stars

There have been a lot of rumors about Manchester United and Real Madrid, the two teams going to compete for the Super Cup in August, sending players to the other squad recently. Friday forward Alvaro Morata agreed to go to United but I would expect that to be the only transaction between the two this summer.

Of course, Real has been interested in acquiring United goalkeeper David De Gea for some time. But alas it has been reported that the Spaniard will not be going back the Spanish capital this summer. Apparently winning back to back Champions League titles was enough for Zinedine Zidane to keep Keylor Navas as the #1 goalie on Real’s depth chart.

There has also been reported interest in Gareth Bale on the part of United, which I don’t buy. I just don’t think Bale plays the style that Jose Mourinho would want and his injury issues have made him simply not an elite player anymore—and there is no doubt Real would want an elite price for Bale.

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Meanwhile, there were frequent reports of James Rodriguez coming to Old Trafford. Apparently those stories are unsubstantiated, with James being far down on United’s list of options. Also with the recent purchase of Ivan Perisic, even though they are different positions I think adding James would be unnecessary at this juncture.

It’s wise to give Henrikh Mkhitaryan another year to adjust to the Premier League. With Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera taking up spots in the midfield, I’m not sure where James would fit in. Moreover, without a stud defensive midfielder, United needs to bolster their defense. Other than Antonio Valencia and Eric Bailly there is room for improvement on the backline.

Raphael Varane has been a target of United for some time, but as I expected it would take De Gea going back to get Zidane to give him up. So then that leaves limited options. Burnley defender and former United product Michael Keane is one option that has been thrown around. Of course there still is the Phil Jones/Chris Smalling/Marcos Rojo crowd. Unfortunately the resurgent Rojo is out for some time with a ruptured left cruciate ligament. Then you still have the issue at left back. The oft-injured Luke Shaw and Matteo Darmian are just not going to cut it.

Next: United star will give it one more year

So how many players will be playing for that Super Cup while representing the other squad? My guess is none more than Morata.

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