A look at how Manchester United could line up under David Moyes next season.
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There are plenty of areas that new manager David Moyes may feel could be strengthened at Manchester United. Despite their relatively straightforward title win in 2012/13, they had the worst defensive record in the top four and that may be where additions may be needed the most.
Nemanja Vidic has had some bad luck with injuries in recent seasons, and Moyes may feel it is not worth relying so much on a player who does not play. Supposedly Benfica centre-back Ezequiel Garay is a top target and a deal may already be in place to bring the Argentine to Old Trafford. He could form a fine partnership with Rio Ferdinand, and although the veteran defender could be in his final season with the club, it seems likely that he will remain first choice and that Garay will be the only signing made in that area.
At left-back, Moyes is understandably keen to bring in one of his star players from Everton in Leighton Baines. Patrice Evra has not been at his best for a couple of seasons now and is widely tipped to be returning to former club Monaco this summer. Baines would certainly be an upgrade on the Frenchman, although he isn’t always the most reliable defensively. Still, the addition of Garay should tighten things up for United at the back, and Baines will provide a useful attacking outlet for the team.
With the retirement of Paul Scholes, Moyes also has a job to do in midfield, and it could take two signings to truly replace the influence of the legendary playmaker. Kevin Strootman looks likely to be brought in from PSV and should play a deeper midfield role alongside Michael Carrick, while United will also be hoping to finalise an exciting deal to bring in youngster Thiago Alcantara from Barcelona. The Spaniard could play in a more advanced role, and provide some much-needed creativity to the front players.
Although all of United’s wingers were unconvincing this season, Antonio Valencia perhaps deserves another chance to claim the wide-right spot, while the club’s fans will be desperately hoping Cristiano Ronaldo can make a return to Old Trafford, where he would presumably play on the left, even though he will also find himself playing almost as a striker in practice.
It remains to be seen if Moyes will land this star signing, and is rumoured to be considering a move for Robert Lewandowski as well. However, with Robin van Persie showing himself to be an excellent choice as the team’s main striker, it’s hard to see how the two might play together, so the Dutchman leading the line with Valencia, Alcantara and Ronaldo just behind him seems like the best way for United to line up next season.
