Even though Manchester United spent over £150m during the summer – the largest sum in a single transfer window ever – there is still work to be done at Old Trafford. Victor Valdes has now arrived on a free transfer to ease the burden on David de Gea, yet Louis van Gaal has plenty of other issues, with the legendary power of Sir Alex Ferguson having masked problems that really came to the fore last season under David Moyes.
It seems that money is in place for the ‘right deals’ this month, and there are a few players on the Red Devils’ radar. To sign they may, however, have to sell, so with that in mind here are four to come in, and four to go…
IN – Mats Hummels / Joao Miranda
Without doubt the one area United must strengthen this month is the centre of their defence. A series of injury blows have exposed a lack of depth at the heart of Louis van Gaal’s rearguard, and the presence of youngster such as Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair has served to increase the scrutiny on ‘senior’ players Phil Jones, Jonny Evens and Chris Smalling, which in turn has led to realisations that they’re not quite up to scratch.
Hummels and Miranda are two of the players to have been closely linked with United for this month, with the German and Brazilian both stars Van Gaal is thought to be keen on. As the stats show, neither can match Smalling in terms of intercepts, clearances and pass accuracy – which may be boosted due to him having played at right-back – but there’s no doubt that their skills would suit the Red Devils’ XI. Of the two, Hummels is the standout, but with a fee of around £35m potentially not enough to convince Dortmund to sell, Miranda may be the realistic option.
OUT – Juan Mata
//www.youtube.com/embed/Vs1qWdhTLSQ
Juan Mata has not been a poor player this season, as the stats below show, but his presence at United is not strictly needed anymore, with LVG having to crowbar his wealth of attack-minded midfielders into an XI.
Of the quartet of the Red Devils’ ‘No. 10’ suited players, Herrera included, Mata’s numbers certainly tally with his competitors, but away from statistics, he seems the least likely to stay long term. The Spaniard lacks the pace to function in a counter attacking team, will not get picked ahead of captain Rooney, will not be in front of record signing Di Maria and is not as effective from deep as Herrera. Interest from clubs in Spain is thought to be genuine, and this month presents a good chance to get a respectable fee for him.
IN – Seamus Coleman
//www.youtube.com/embed/6URMIvfAyss
With Rafael United’s only orthodox right-back, Van Gaal clearly needs to add to his options. Antonio Valencia is well-suited to a wing-back position, but being an attack-minded player, the Ecuadorian is not the most dependable when in his own box. Everton’s Coleman appears to be a good balance between the two disciplines, and is available for a rumoured figure of £20m.
The Irishman well and truly shone last season in an effective Toffees side, but the downturn in fortunes at Goodison Park has coincided with some less than impressive showings from him. Despite this, if surrounded by better players, the 26-year-old is sure to find his feet again, and his forward-thinking ability could add to United’s armoury.
OUT – Chris Smalling
Although he has been the pick of United’s defenders this season, not exactly a glowing slice of praise, Smalling could be one to be sacrificed this month, particularly if LVG is successful in his quest to get another centre-back in. Arsenal are thought to be long-term admirers of the England international, and with Arsene Wenger desperate to get in new defenders, the Red Devils could negotiate a good deal for their man.
IN – Radamel Falcao
It will cost around £43m on top of the rumoured £6m loan fee to keep Falcao permanently, but doing the deal this month may have its advantages. United are able to make use of the clause in his temporary switch from Monaco at any time, yet David de Gea’s future is understood to be hinging on a deal for the Colombian, with the players both represented by super agent Jorge Mendes, who is keen to resolve the striker’s future first
Falcao’s fitness no longer seems to be a major issue now he’s back in the first-team squad on a permanent basis, and there are indications his troublesome knee injury is not set to be a recurring problem. Getting a deal done soon would prevent De Gea’s deal from edging towards expiry, keeping Real Madrid at bay.
OUT – Anderson
Yep, Anderson is still at United. The troubled Brazilian arrived with such high hopes in 2007, but he’s struggled to convert the promise he showed with Porto into performances on the Old Trafford turf. A short-term loan with Fiorentina last season was not enough to rectify his ailing career, and it looks like that a free transfer will be granted… if the 26-year-old can find an interested club – which could be tricky due to his wages at United.
IN – William Carvalho
A defensive midfielder is another missing cog at Old Trafford, with United’s side extremely top heavy. An all-out enforcer like Nigel de Jong is not entirely what’s needed in a Van Gaal side, but a player able to do the dirty work while offering inventiveness going forward is. Carvalho fits the bill – just check out his assist in the above clip – with the powerful Portugal international just the latest midfielder to be dubbed the ‘new Patrick Vieira’.
Kevin Strootman is considered to be the club’s major target, but the Roma man will not be available until at least the end of the season, while offers of £20m – £25m are likely to be accepted by Sporting Lisbon over the coming weeks.
OUT – Adnan Januzaj
//www.youtube.com/embed/VBq9PHIwq3I
Not one to be sold, but Januzaj needs to leave Old Trafford this month to play football regularly. The Belgian was on a par with Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling last season during his breakthrough campaign, but a lack of playing time has severely hindered his progress, and getting ahead of Di Maria, Mata, Rooney and others looks unlikely in the short-term.
Former manager David Moyes wants to take the youngster to Real Sociedad on a temporary deal, while there’s unlikely to be a shortage of interest from Premier League sides.
