Lets start with the title; Is William Carvalho the man to answer Manchester United’s midfield problems? Short and snappy, no. Although, the Portuguese starlet will go a long way to reviving a more than average Manchester United midfield that is full of deadwood.
It’s been well documented that one of the main reasons, if not THE reason that the Red Devils have experienced such decline over the past fifteen months, is their serious shortage of a world-class midfielder or two. Carvalho , relatively unproven at the top-level and just 22 years-of age, is probably not the solution to the problem, unless Can Gaal is willing to take a massive gamble on the Sporting player. However, all signs point to a player who would simply be another ‘young’ footballer with ‘potential’, a player who ‘could’ be one of the best midfield players in the game.
United’s interest in Carvalho was pre-dated to the time that Louis van Gaal was announced as their new manager, but it has been widely reported this week that the former Netherlands boss is keen on the youngster as interest in Chilean and Juventus star Arturo Vidal has cooled. With United concerned about a long-standing knee problem in their prime target, Vidal, and Sporting looking to raise cash, Carvalho may just provide the alternative.
The Manchester United midfield currently consists of Tom Cleverley, Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher and new-boy Ander Herrera. Compare that with Chelsea; Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic- Manchester City; Yaya Toure and Fernandinho- just two examples of top four clubs who are lightyears ahead of van Gaal’s midfield department. Carvalho would no doubt add some steel and maybe some composure to that central area, but United need a player who can dictate the entire tempo of a game. One then wonders why Ed Woodward didn’t go all out to seal deals for players such as Cesc Fabregas and Toni Kroos- both of whom United were clearly interested in, but Woodward gave up in their pursuit of for one reason or another
The financials are hardly a problem either with the red devils signing a multi-million pound deal with sportswear firm Adidas earlier in the summer, a deal thought to be worth up to £800 million shall it pass the length of the contract. But with United’s start to the season and the fans’ red hot desire for their club to bring in a top-class midfielder, it may force Woodward and co. to play their cards as the pressure mounts on the United hierarchy. Woodward has brought in a top-class attacker in Angel Di Maria this week, a deal that Woodward certainly deserves praise for given the pedigree of the Argentine wing-wizard, but they simply need more.
So you may beg the question; why are Man United not bringing a world-class central midfielder into the club? Carvalho would add something to the cause but not what United and their fans are really crying out for. Yet, with transfer deadline day fast approaching, don’t be shocked to hear that the Old Trafford club have finally got their man.
Is Sporting’s William Carvalho the man to solve Manchester United’s midfield problems? Join the discussion in the comment section below, or on Twitter @TBRFootball.