Contrary to popular opinion there is actually some transfer activity over at Manchester United. However, with the notable exception of Luke Shaw, who has become the most expensive teenager in footballing history with a record £27 Million transfer from Southampton, most of the business has been out of Old Trafford. After 8 seasons with the Red Devils Nemanja Vidic has joined Inter Milan, whilst Alexander Buttner also leaves Manchester United for Dynamo Moscow in £4.4m deal. Furthermore, Rio Ferdinand is likely to be on his way to QPR any day now.
So what can Manchester United fans expect to happen in the transfer market before the start of season? Quite frankly with the World Cup in full swing and the Manchester United manager masterminding the Dutch assault on the Trophy I doubt there will be much opportunity for him to think about buying new players for club football.
However, with one incoming left back replacing an outgoing left back who only had two games in a red shirt last season; it hardly sets the world alight! Shaw is certainly an exciting signing for the future and has performed wonders at Southampton. But what of the big name signing that will set the fans chanting? Who will Van Gaal bring in to the squad to set the cat amongst the pigeons and get people battling for a place in the squad? Historically, when successful international managers return to club management they have a habit of bringing in established names from their international team. As such, can we expect Arjen Robben to make a Premier League return and leave champions League winners Bayern Munich?
For me, that is where the problem lies with United transfer policy. Why would you leave a high profile club such as Bayern Munich, one that is winning trophies and you play regularly for, to go Manchester United? Just to remind those with short memories, the club finished down in seventh place in the Premier League and is without any cup wins, nor are they in any European competition this year?
Before anyone bites my head off, I know that Manchester United’s reputation supersedes one bad season that was clearly a blip in the great history of the club. But, and it is a big but, a club is only as good as its last season and so fans need to think about who they can realistically attract and accept the very big names may avoid United this year and see how they get on in this seasons football.
Liverpool, let us not forget, have been very busy reinforcing their squad ready for a second bite of the cherry this year and if Manchester United don’t compete in the transfer market they will take the risk of struggling to break into the top 4 again.
So, returning to my original question, who can we expect Van Gaal to be interested in signing? Well, the Guardian claims that Arturo Vida, the Chilean midfield dynamo, has been watched by scouts. Valued at around the £40 Million mark by his club Juventus it is rumoured that United could offer Nani as a makeweight in the deal. Next, rumoured to be on Van Gaal’s hit list is Germany and Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels who could fill the gap left by Vidic and Ferdinand’s imminent departure to Inter and QPR respectively.
These two would certainly be popular additions to the squad; in fact a defender and a midfielder would go some way to restore the spine of the team. Lets’ be honest, as for his attacking options, Van Gaal has the England forward line at his disposal (stop tittering at the back) and Robin van Persie!
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