Why James Rodriguez to Man United would be great news for the Red Devils.
Manchester United cashed in on Angel Di Maria last summer, reclaiming only £46m of the British-record £59.7m they paid for the Argentina international, who failed to make the grade in his one and only season in England. Since then, United have failed to secure a world-class replacement. Predictably, James Rodriguez is a player who has been linked with a move a move to Old Trafford after losing his place in the Real Madrid side.
James would be a tremendous coup and he certainly qualifies as world class. Here are three key reasons why the Real Madrid man is perfectly suited to United, courtesy of guest writer Daniel Lee, aka @ZIatDan.
1. Guaranteed goals and assists
The 24-year-old excelled in his debut season for Real Madrid notching 13 league goals and providing 13 assists. His superb vision to carve open defences with scintillating through balls made him one of the most lethal players in La Liga.
In his final season with Monaco in Ligue 1, he managed to score 9 goals and create 12 and not to forget his impressive performances at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where he claimed the golden boot.
Despite an underwhelming second season in Madrid, the Columbian has found the net six times and assisted eight times in a campaign where James has been struggling for game-time. Not a bad tally for player who apparently has ‘no place’ in the Real Madrid team.
2. Marquee signing for United & José
Ed Woodward has made no secret of his desire to sign a marquee signing. In Ed Woodward’s debut season at Old Trafford he attempted to sign Gareth Bale from Tottenham, instead he made the move to Madrid for a world record fee. Last summer, United reportedly had two offers rejected for Thomas Muller and not to forget the audacious £144m bid, the Red Devils made for Barcelona superstar Neymar. Its fair to say the manager in the summer will be provided with a financial backing in the summer – irrespective of who is in the hot seat next season.
United are in desperate need of a world-class attacker and should be prepared to pay any price Real Madrid demand. James could be potentially be that marquee signing and he’d be an exceptional addition to the club’s roster and would become a a ‘fans favourite’ straightaway at the Theatre of Dreams.
With Mourinho’s likely arrival at United in the summer, James could be the impact signing to restore former glories at Man United. James’ agent Jorge Mendes, also the agent of Mourinho, could give United an upper hand on other teams and help them seal a transfer for the Real Madrid attacking-midfielder.
3. Third time’s a charm
James first appeared on the club’s radar in 2010 when he was plying his trade as an 18-year-old for Argentine outfit Club Atletico Banfield. United were offered the Columbian for as little as £5m but didn’t respond and subsequently signed Bebe for £2 million extra, who only started three games during his short spell at United.
United rekindled their interest again in 2013 but were supposedly apprehensive about paying his £40m valuation as well as intricacies with third-party ownership.
United will almost certainly try their luck again this summer and with James’ current situation at Madrid, it provides the Red Devils with an opportune moment to sign the player, who in my opinion, is destined to play for Man United.