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.
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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
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I think man utd need 3 to 4 new players they simply lack creativity in mid field we depend so much on Nani to create goals please fergie buy buy.
Sorry but that is a boring conclusion with limited star quality bar De Gea and possibly Rodwell in the future. Adam and Young really don’t do it for me.
Sneijder is a must have and would be a perfect partner for one or two from Fletcher, Anderson, or Carrick. Pogba and Tunnicliffe offer as much potential as Rodwell and wouldn’t be pushed about signing him.
Young is just not good enough to be a potential replacement for Giggs. It’s possible that Ravel Morrison will be a real option and certainly don’t need to invest in a winger this summer.My preference is to buy only world class players this summer and would buy just De Gea and Sneijder and add Pogba, Morrison, Tunnicliffe, Welbeck, and Cleverly to the squad as real options for the first team.
ur the 1 person that gets it mate
ive been saying the same thing
obviosly we have to replace shcoles and by a keeper de gea and sniejder both are perfect replacements. plus i always have been since the start of the season that morrison, pogba, tom cleverley, and tunnicliffe are ready for the first team but i think we do have to sell some players off, like carrick and replace him with pogba or tunni, oberton for morrison,
In my honest opinion I really don’t mind who we sign as long as we go all out to sign Sneijder anyone else is simply a bonus, Him Rooney & Chicha is a devastating prospect and you can get 4 or 5 solid years out of Sneijder, & at 26 having played for Inter, Ajax & Madrid he is unlikely to want to go anywhere else except maybe back to Holland. Sneijder is in the top 5 players in the world right now arguably top 3 with Messi & Ronaldo only Xavi & Iniesta can have a serious claim to top 3. & to me this season is the best chance at signing him i’d happily see United fork out £30-40 mill for him with possibly De Gea at £18 mill just those two and i’ll be a very happy Red Devil as i don’t see Fergie signing 4 or 5 he’ll definitely target a Keeper highly likely De Gea and probably a CM hopefully Sneijder.
If you were to ask me of potential departures then my opinion would be: VDS (Retired), Scholes (Retired), Anderson (£10-12m), Bebe (Loan), Obertan (Loan), Diouf (£2-5m), Brown (£5m), Owen (Free), Hargreaves (Free) & possibly Berbatov though i still see Berba staying as I don’t see Fergie going all out for a Striker there’s no way Fergie will go with Rooney, Chicha, Welbeck & Macheda as i see Macheda possibly on loan to somewhere like QPR or one of the lower or promoted sides possibly Wigan like with Cleverley.
i dont really agree with your choice of keeper and i would plump for Neuer. mainly cos not only does he look a great keeper but his a little bit older yet still young enough to have a very long spell at the club. he has great experience sine he was the german no.1 during a world cup as well as his time in the champions league. I would be gutted to see him slip through our fingers as De Gea doesnt look that great whenever i have seen him on sky.
I would also argue for a defender as brown might well leave and picking up say mexes on a free would be a smart move.
central midfield is the hardest area as we have been linked to so many and its our weakest area.
i would be over the moon to see de rossi and snejider join but thats shooting for the stars.
but a creative player is a must and a defensive one would be handy too so maybe pastore and m’vila or rodwell.
i would also get rid of gibson he doesnt seem to have it and maybe try and swap him for adam plus a bit of cash. although i think he will prob end up at liverpool cos it will be easier for him to get in there team.
on the wingers i agree it would be a luxury and that young hasnt proven himself as a £20m manu player. however if we signed sanchez or douglas costa then i would be happy.
upfront its very tough as mini mex and rooney look awesome at times and berba is very hit and miss. so benzema or someone that could offer something different up top would be excellent.
the main problem no one knows what cash we have nor how clear the path is to any player.
the last few summers i have felt we needed one or two players and no one came in, so i wont be getting my hopes up but i will always listen to the gossip before dismissing it.
“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).”
This proves you are full of crap. Hell NO to de gea, when Neuer is available. just cause he is 4yrs younger we should sign him? Isnt over 1 and a half from neuer enough? Crap article
Having a different opinion over who would be a better choice for United’s next ‘keeper does not make an article crap.
Criticism is always welcome however I feel you’re being harsh on the author to dismiss what I feel is a well written and fairly argued piece because of one line you disagree with.
I hope SAF doesn’t repeat past seasons of buying a few lesser players instead of 1 world class proven player.Example, Obertan, Bebe etc. It’s obvious players like Carrick, Fletcher and Anderson cannot put in a consistent display. Carrick plays one good game then 3 rubbish games, goes back to his specialty…3 yard pass sideways. Fletcher hasn’t played well even before his recent illness and Anderson is a fat slob.
I would like to see De Gea, Rodwell,(great name)Young and Snijder.
I don’t think Adam would play consistantly to warrant his place, as with Modric.Bale is injury prone and cost too much. Everyone is making comments about Snijder, but who says he wants to come to MU? I hope he does.
his friends and family have said that he wants to come to manchester united, im sure he has said himself that manu is a great club and that it would be a great deal for him if he plays in england
p.s
very good article, as proven by most of the mature replies…
i think they gonna analyse how much the other top clubs gonna spend and they gonna buy for sure someone who is needed.mancity getting stronger ,chelsea gonna buy for sure ,liverpool also stronger arsenal more experienced ,totenham gonna get good strikers ,so man utd gonna spend ,who is gonna be i dont know
Neuer is more suitable than De Gea and 25years is still a very young for a goalkeeper. He is technically gifted and his agilities are second to none. Snijder will bring about a huge variation and option to our predictable and pedestrian midfield and the fact he is a dead-ball specialist will be an added advantage for a team that has been ordinary in set-pieces since the departure of CR7 and the injury crises of Hergreaves.Jack Rodwell will be a good investment into the future while the sales of players such as Obertan, Gibson,Kuszczak,Brown and Owen will create enough space for returning Welbeck, Cleverley and Macheda.