As it stands I see us finishing 6th again.
Why?
1. Matic. Slow, Can't turn. He will expose our defence, even if we sign Maguire. If Matic is still starting games. We will lose the midfield battle vs most teams.
2. If he stays, Pogba will get blamed for not being Makélélé/Kante and Pogba at the same time. His job is to create/score goals. He has never been good at the other side of the game. That is why he thrived with Pirlo and Vidal. - Matic, Herrera and Fred are not on Pogba's level.
Wolves. Neves, Moutinho and Dendoncker
Leicester: Ndidi, Maddison and Tielemans
Everton:André Gomes, Idrissa Gueye, Sigurðsson
Spurs: Winks, Ndombele, Lo Celso* (Potentially)
Chelsea: Kante, Loftus-Cheek, Barkley.
Looking at Utd:
Pogba, McTominay and Fred.
Pogba, Matic and Fred.
Pogba, McTominay and Andreas.
I don't think Utd have an adequate midfield 2/3. I think The teams I've mentioned above have better, more all rounded midfields. The issue for Utd is the gulf between Pogba and everyone else. I think Everton, Wolves etc. Have players of a similar level so they work better. I think with Matic. Utd will struggle to win the midfield battle.
IMO Maguire for 80m is a waste of money. He will improve us but I fear that the improvement will be incremental with our weak CM/DM midfield options.
I think Utd need to get 2 midfielders before this window closes instead. A Centre midfielder and Defensive midfielder. I think the DM is more important.
Someone like Thomas Partey alongwith Bruno Fernandes. I think these two players would give Utd a much better chance of finishing in the top four than spending 80m on Maguire. I believe Lindelof will come good. and I think Tuanzebe is ready to step up. He should be ahead of Rojo/Jones now at least.