Man Utd should sign Mario Mandzukic, 34, on free transfer after completing Jadon Sancho deal, urges Owen Hargreaves
FORMER Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves has urged Manchester United to sign Mario Mandzukic on a free transfer.
The former Juventus and Bayern Munich striker, 34, was linked with a move to United in the winter window but instead moved to Qatar.
But, after just just seven months and as many games played Mandzukic announced his stint in the Middle East was over.
MAN UTD NEWS LIVE: Click here for the latest United news
The Red Devils are close to landing Jadon Sancho in a record £110million deal.
There has been a breakthrough in negotiations as the Red Devils have forced the Germans into accepting staggered payments, with £70m up front - but the deal could still wipe out most of their summer budget.
And boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has told United chief Ed Woodward that he'd like a new winger, centre-back and striker as part of a summer transfer splurge.
However, while Hargreaves agrees the club need a centre forward, he reckons Solskjaer can save his funds by landing free agent Mandzukic.
The former Bayern Munich ace said: "Defensively they were one of the better teams in the league, but in terms of goalscoring they were way behind Liverpool and City,
"You can do with a 20-goal scorer but I think I’d take Jadon [Sancho] first and then maybe get Mandzukic on a free."
Mandzukic has also been linked with a move back to Italy, with AC Milan reportedly interested.
Most read in Football
It is understood San Siro bosses see the veteran striker as a direct replacement for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, whose contract expires at the end of the season.
United's funds have been boosted by finally managing to offload Alexis Sanchez, after Inter Milan took him off their hands on Wednesday night.
The Chilean forward reportedly cost the club a staggering £20MILLION per Premier League goal and £28,800 per TOUCH thanks to his £505,000 a week wages.