All the talk has been about the potential signing of Real Madrid star Angel Di Maria and how good a player the Argentine is, and, although I agree that he would be an excellent signing, he is not the answer to Manchester United’s prayers.
Louis Van Gaal has endured a difficult start to the Premier League, a 2-1 home defeat to Swansea and a 1-1 draw with Sunderland at the stadium of light have the Old Trafford faithful feeling pretty much how they did last season, glum.
While United have not looked sharp going forward, their biggest problem is a lack of leadership and vulnerability at the back.
At least one world class centre back is needed to partner new signing Rojo and a new defensive midfielder to provide cover for his centre backs, who ever they may be, is just as important. So let’s look at 3 possible options;
Nigel De Jong – The A.C Milan midfielder would fit right in to the system Van Gaal is trying to use, having played under him for the Dutch national team. The former Manchester City midfielder would also add a much needed bite to United’s tame midfield and would sit deep, allowing the full backs, or wing backs in United’s case, to venture forward. De Jong’s ability to read the game is exactly what Manchester United are after. Milan, much like the Red Devil’s, are out of Europe and looking to rebuild, so a deal could definitely happen.
Arturo Vidal – Juventus’ Chilean midfielder has been a long term transfer target for United, being linked with a move for as long as two months now. Vidal would not sit as deep as other midfielder’s would, but he has a never ending engine and would contribute greatly to United’s attack and defence over the course of the 90 minutes. Both creative and tough tackling, the Chilean international would offer a bit of everything to Manchester United’s midfield, he would, however, be very expensive, with Juventus determined to hold on to one of their main men.
Sami Khedira – As a world cup and Champions league winner, Khedira may be the best option for Van Gaal right now, with his side lacking the experience that the German has. The Real Madrid man possesses great distribution of the ball, added to an excellent reading of the game and the fact that he likes to sit deep means he could be the perfect candidate for a Manchester United side lacking anyone with that kind of quality. Spanish giants Real Madrid have just signed another world cup winner in Toni Kroos and a Khedira exit could be likely with no guarantees about a regular starting eleven place.
Any one of these three would offer a much needed contribution to United’s midfield, but at least one of them is desperately needed at Old Trafford, so, Mr. Van Gaal and Ed Woodward, over to you.
What other positions do you feel that Louis Van Gaal still needs to strengthen at Manchester United, and will one of the above midfielders be enough to reverse their current slump? Let us know in the comments or on twitter @TBRFootball .