Five players who could solve Louis van Gaal’s defensive conundrum.
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Manchester United’s season got off to the worst possible start on Saturday afternoon, as Louis van Gaal’s side were beaten 2-1 by Swansea City at Old Trafford, continuing the Red Devils’ dreadful run of results at home in the last 12 months.
Indeed, Garry Monk’s side also won at Old Trafford last season, in the FA Cup, whilst the likes of Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, West Bromwich Albion and Everton all secured shock wins on the previously fortress-like turf of United’s home ground.
The most obvious factor to emerge from the Swansea defeat was United’s lack of defensive quality and cover, with youngsters Jesse Lingard and Tyler Blackett drafted in to cover for injuries. These five players, then, could make a huge difference to van Gaal’s side:
Marcos Rojo (Sporting Lisbon)
Manchester United have been strongly linked with a move for one of the stars of Argentina’s run to the 2014 World Cup final, Marcos Rojo, who looks set to leave Sporting Lisbon during the transfer window.
There is a snag related to the player’s ownership, the majority of which is in the hands of a third party rather than Sporting themselves, but van Gaal seems keen to ensure that Rojo is a United player sooner rather than later. Usually an attacking left-back, Rojo would slot onto the left-hand side of United’s three central defenders whilst also covering for Luke Shaw on the left.