Will the Dutchman be joining United in the Summer?
It’s getting closer isn’t it? Summer is in the air, bees and wasps (can’t stand them, more annoying than trying to decipher a Steven Gerrard interview) are starting to appear, that summer holiday is getting ever closer, and the transfer market is looming ominously, just over the horizon.
It’s that time of year when all things are possible (if only in journalists minds), when dreamers dare to dream, and the rumours have already begun. United are linked with hundreds of players every summer, but rarely are the media stories accurate. Last summer? Over 100 players linked with moves to United. How many signed? None.
It seems certain, however, that United will enter the market this summer, and strengthen in some pretty major areas, with Edwin Van der Sar hanging up his gloves and Paul Scholes (in all probability) hanging his boots on the next peg along. So where will United strengthen? And who will they sign? Here I’ll attempt to separate fact and fiction and hopefully provide a window into the summer ahead.
Goalkeeper
It seems almost certain United will sign a goalkeeper this summer, with the decorated Dutchman hanging up his gloves. So who are the candidates in this key position, and will Sir Alex learn from his mistakes when attempting to replace The Great Dane.
David De Gea
A goalkeeper of commanding presence, De Gea (nicknamed Van de Gea for his similar stature to Van der Sar) has already accrued experience under pressure in Atletico’s Europa League triumph last season, as well as facing Messi, Ronaldo, Villa and (last season) Silva in La Liga. Arguably one of the brightest young prospects around and is certain to become Spain’s first choice between the sticks.
Potential Price: £20m
Manuel Neuer
Neuer, older than De Gea at 24, has been linked with United for even longer than De Gea. Forced into Germany’s World Cup starting XI due to the death of Robert Enke and Rene Adler’s injury, Neuer was a key figure in Germany’s march to the semi-finals and has also been key in Schalke’s progression to a Champions League semi-final against United.
Potential Price: £15m
Pepe Reina
This would certainly be controversial wouldn’t it? Liverpool’s first class Spanish stopper, idolised by the Kop, moving to United. If his nationality was anything other than Spanish, Reina would be first choice for his country, but is held back by the excellent Iker Casillas. A keeper with excellent reactions and a tendency to frustrate penalty takers with his agility.
Potential Price: £25m
Verdict: For me it has to be De Gea due to his youth and potential to be United’s first-choice keeper for 20 years (or more). De Gea would provide a calmness and assurance and is certainly not inexperienced, despite his youth.
Central midfield
United’s central midfield has been the focus of much criticism from fans and pundits alike this season, accused of a lack of creativity, a problem which will only become worse if Paul Scholes were to retire in the summer.
[bet_365 type='generic' size='468'af_code='365_061447']
Wesley Sneijder
Inter Milan’s world class attacking midfielder was at the centre of both their treble triumph of 09/10 and the Netherlands march to the World Cup final, where they were defeated by Spain. A class midfield operator (many would argue the best in the world), Sneijder pulls the strings, often from a position just behind the striker. May be a gamble as unproven in Premier League.
Potential Price: £35-40m
Luka Modric
The man many United fans crave to replace the Ginger Prince, Modric, originally considered too lightweight when he arrived in England, is calm, composed, able to find space and pick a pass, as well as pop up with the odd goal, albeit only two this season in the Premier League. His passing range is excellent, although, like Sneijder, he seems to need the insurance of a purely defensive minded player alongside him in CM.
Potential Price: £30-35m
Charlie Adam
He had to pop up somewhere. A man who’s been a bone of contention on Twitter for weeks, as arguments rage between me an everyone else (it seems) concerning his merits as a future United player. The Blackpool captain has a superb passing range, capable of splitting a defence with a subtle ball or pinging 60 yard crossfield passes. Also provides a massive threat on free-kicks (something lacking at United right now), is a clinical penalty-kick taker and provides leadership and drive from the centre of the park.
Potential Price: £8-10m
Continued on page two.
Why has no one been talking about Alexis Sanchez…The kid is an amazing talent, hge has been setting seria A alight the last 2 season, the best winger in the league, easily. Big comparisons with ronaldo, but he crosses the ball better, however he doesn’t score as many as Ronaldo but he will get 8/14 goals per season.
Not only that Sanchez is a known Man United fan, he said last summer he’d love to join man utd. Problem is because he has had such a good season with Udinese (4th in league) his value has rocketed, last season around 20m now 30/£35m. But he’s worth it.
As for selling, Carrick has to go, he’s first on my list, i am bemused as to why Fergy offered him a new contract he’s utterly useless. He also makes massive mistakes that cost United goals in major games (Barelona final, Bayern QF and against Man city). Every says he is has a great pass, but he always gives the ball away, he cannot tackle, he doesn’t have a lethal shot, what does this guy add to united’s midfield?
Gibson, Brown, Macheda, Owen, Berbatov, Diouf (won’t cut it) can all go, we need a clear out.
There are 2 players must go, Carrick n Gibson. These 2 are totally junk! Gibson at most is wolve’s standard while Carrick is at most Sunderland standard.
Personally speaking i think we could do with a few going, reason i say that is it seems as though this is to be fergies last team/squad.so a clear out of players that have time and again been given chances and not taken them should go, the likes of Gibson,Obertan,Evans, along with players like Brown,Hargreaves,Owen,Carrick.Those coupled with retired players like VdS,Neville and in all likeliness Scholes, would tell me that aswell as promoting Morrison,Cleverley,Pogba and Welbeck, that fergie would want to leave behind a club that had everything in place to continue challenging for honours so I would imagine that Sneijder is a definate possibilty and we should not stop there!…getting a DM is also a top priority, now the point to all of this is does fergie buy for example a De Rossi(experience) or does he go for M’Vila(potential).
I wouldnt bother with Bale(far too pricey)and would rather we got Douglas or Hazard, and and the same with Young i would rather have Sanchez.
Between the keepers i actually would add Steklenburg to that as he is also a very good keeper and also at a good age!.
Exchange + cash Gibson for Adam…and my squad would read something like this:
Keepers:15-20m
?/Linsgaard/Amos
Defence:10-20m
Rafael/Fabio/Evra/O’Shea/
Rio/Vidic/Smalling/?(Thiago/Rolando/Cahill/Chellini)
Wingers:15-30m
Nani/Valencia/Park/Morrison/Giggs/?-(Sanchez/Hazard/Douglas/Young)
Midfield:10-30m
Sneijder/Anderson/Fletcher/Pogba/Cleverley/Adam/?-(De Rossi/Mascherano/M’Vila/Lass)
Strikers:20m
Rooney/Hernandez/Berbatov/Welbeck/? (Benzema/Cavani)
with the players sold and ronnies money…we can dream!
Neuer is going to Bayern Munich, havent you lot heard the news?!!!
Aaron- there is a 2nd page to this article which mentions Sanchez.
I don`t really fancy young I agree with degea,sniejder, and bale. anderson will go no where. diouf,obertan, gibson, owen, carrick, and berbatov should all leave
There is a theory going round that if we can win the champions league sir alex will step down. Let’s face it, when he does it will be a big shock – leave at the top – that’s why Neville retired & schools will too.
If we win it I think he’ll will step down & then who knows what will happen. If we don’t win the CL this year then I predict te following changes.
Macheda, cleverly & wellbeck return
Pogba & Morrison promoted
Sneijder – de gee & one more (hard tackling midfielder coming in) coming in
Berbatov – brown – obertan – owen – Thomas k – all transferred
Scholds – vds retire
Gibson – j Evans – loaned out
And honestly see Hargreaves given a pay as you play contract.
Final thought – no one has mentioned (dare I say it )
Drogba
Your analysis is very sound. The only flaw is you did not consider a defensive midfielder that can provide real cover for the defence. Rodwell has not proved himself in defensive midfield role. A defensive midfielder of the stature of Makelele/Viera/Hagreaves/Essien in their hey days is needed especially when Vidic and Ferdinand are not playing.