There are only three things certain in life: death, taxes and Manchester United's incredible knack of being linked with every decent player in world football. From the minute that transfer window opens to the minute it slams shut, It's a never ending circle of gossip and rumours that can send a man crazy.
You're pretty much guaranteed to open a newspaper gossip column and find Jose Mourinho's side heading the list front, line and centre. Whether that be Antoine Griezmann, James Rodriguez or Gareth Bale for the seventh consecutive year, It must be a real rollercoaster of emotions for all you United supporters out there.
Image: Twitter
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To celebrate the weird and wonderful transfer rumours involving Manchester United over the years, we've created a 'what could have been' starting XI of players who have been strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford.
Jan Oblak
The Atletico goalkeeper is David de Gea's like-for-like replacement according to reports. He may have an £85million buy-out clause written into his current contract, but Jose Mourinho is apparently ready to sign the 24-year-old if Real Madrid swoop to buy Manchester United's current number one in the coming weeks.
Atletico recently turned down a €75 million offer from PSG for Oblak.
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Nelson Semedo
Back in February, the Manchester Evening News claimed that the club had agreed a deal 'in principle' to sign Benfica right-back Nelson Semedo in the summer. Well, we're currently two weeks into the transfer window and there's still no sign of a move.
It was claimed that the Reds had a £35m offer for the 23-year-old accepted.
Raphael Varane
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Sir Alex Ferguson was on the verge of signing Varane in 2011, but Los Blancos beat them to it. Six years later, the French defender has been linked with a move to Old Trafford on several occasions. Most recently, gossip emerged that a key part of any United offer for Varane could also involve a deal for the previously mentioned De Gea.
Varane said last year: "I feel good here, everything is here to show my best." He's not going anywhere.
Image: PA
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Marquinhos
It was claimed earlier this year that Jose Mourinho made PSG centre-back Marquinhos his top defensive target this summer. They were 'confident that they would seal a £50million deal' for the Brazilian, but it looks like a deal for Benfica defender Victor Lindelof is now on the cards.
Another seemingly false transfer claim from the bizarre world of gossip columns and 'back page talk'.
Benjamin Mendy
Manchester United or Manchester City? It was on the cards that Pep Guardiola would win this transfer battle, but at one point, Jose Mourinho was apparently plotting a £60 million move for the Monaco full-back. Did it happen? No. Was it just another 'reports from France suggest'? Yes.
Mendy has recently claimed that he will not be rushed into deciding his next club.
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Wesley Sneijder
This inclusion might stand out from the rest, but I just couldn't leave him out. Wesley Sneijder was linked with Manchester United for five consecutive transfer windows from 2011 onwards. He was even rumoured to be heading to Old Trafford in 2016 - despite his age. I'm sure he plays up to the gossip, as well.
Wesley was never one to shy away from the links. The ultimate tease.
Image: Twitter
Fabinho
The Monaco full-back might be the most likely in this list to actually join Manchester United in the coming weeks. It has been heavily reported that the defensive midfielder is on his way to Old Trafford, but this isn't the first time he has been touted for a move to Manchester.
Despite being contracted to Monaco until 2021, it looks likely that he will join Jose Mourinho's side sooner rather than later.
Gareth Bale
If there's a number one contender for the World Heavyweight championship of transfer rumours, then Gareth Bale is on the verge of stealing Wesley Sneijder's crown. It almost feels like Manchester United have wanted the Welsh wizard from day one at Real Madrid.
Back in May, reports in Spain even suggested that Gareth Bale had agreed to sign for Mourinho's side. When will this madness end?
James Rodriguez
After being left out of the Champions League final squad to face Juventus last month, it looks nailed on certain that James will leave Los Blancos in the summer. Manchester United have been heavily linked with the Colombian, with another target Alvaro Morata apparently keen to link up with teammate Rodriguez at Old Trafford next season.
Ok Diario today claim that United have agreed a deal in principle to sign James Rodriguez.
Image: Goal
Neymar
The Brazilian apparently told pals last month that Manchester United are willing to spend almost £170 million on him, but last year, United were reportedly set to meet his £140m release clause after the 23-year-old's contract talks stalled.
This transfer in particular is plastered all over gossip columns from month to month, but can you really see him leaving Barca anytime soon?
No, me neither.
Antoine Griezmann
Where do we start with this one. From rejecting a call from 'Jose' in a recent Huawei's advert, to apparently flirting with the club on Instagram - it now looks like the deal is all but over after reports suggest that he will sign a new contract at Atletico until 2022. This has dragged on for way to long, but it finally looks like the French striker has decided on his next move.
There was a "six out of 10 chance" it would happen, but now it's a definite 'one out of 10'.
Image: Goal
What could have been...
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