A look at some missed targets that could have been great additions for United this summer.
Many will agree that it was something of a farcical transfer window for Manchester United this summer, as new manager David Moyes struggled to assert himself in a bid to land several of his and the club’s top targets. In the end Marouane Fellaini was the only notable addition when he followed Moyes from his former club Everton on deadline day in a £27.5m move. The Belgian looks a good addition in midfield for the Premier League champions, but there are still other areas that could be worked on, and even other styles of midfield players that the club arguably needs more.
5. Ezequiel Garay (Benfica)
A move to sign Benfica centre-back Ezequiel Garay looked sorted earlier in the summer after it was reported that Manchester United had reached a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ for his transfer to Old Trafford, though it never seemed to materialise beyond that point.
Garay has been a top performer since moving to Portugal after somewhat failing to make the grade at former club Real Madrid, and the Argentine would certainly have been useful for United at the back this season, with current first-choice pairing Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic both ageing and prone to lengthy spells out of the side through injury. Garay could go on to become a key player for the club for many years to come, and may have been a solution to the worrying stat that United had the worst defensive record in the top four last season, despite their title win.
4. Ander Herrera (Athletic Bilbao)
No one quite knows what went wrong with this signing, but a move to sign talented midfielder Ander Herrera from Athletic Bilbao fell through late on deadline day, leaving United without a genuine replacement for the creativity offered by the retiring Paul Scholes. The Red Devils are widely tipped to move for the 24-year-old again in January, but for now it is worrying for Moyes that he failed to bring in what could have been such a crucial addition for the entire season.
Herrera is just one of many players linked with United in that position this summer, though he seems to be who they actually came closest to landing, and the bizarre circumstances surrounding his failed move almost sum up the whole summer for the club.
3. Leighton Baines (Everton)
With Moyes leaving Everton at the end of last season it was no surprise to see him linked with two of his best players from his old club, Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini. Although he finally managed to sign the latter, he seemingly couldn’t be persuaded to meet Everton’s asking price for the former, meaning one of the summer’s longest-running sagas ended in Baines surprisingly staying put at Goodison Park.
With Patrice Evra looking somewhat past his best, England international Baines could have been a great upgrade at left-back for United, with his great ability going forward making him one of the most dangerous attacking weapons in Europe last season. His delivery from crosses and set-pieces and all-round chance creation surely would have seen him improve further at a side like United, and it would have been good for Moyes to land himself another player he knows well. Again, a move in January has not been ruled out, so this saga may not be over yet, but United will have to up their game and fork out the money required for this top talent.
2. Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich)
Another player who could have been perfect as a replacement for Paul Scholes is Thiago Alcantara, who was made available by La Liga giants Barcelona this summer due to his falling down some big names in the club’s pecking order. Manchester United then seemed to be leading the queue for his signature against the likes of Real Madrid and Chelsea, though in the end they took too long to conclude a deal and the Spanish playmaker completed a move to Bayern Munich, being reunited with his former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola at the star-studded treble winners.
Alcantara’s vision and technique make him a different kind of option in midfield to Fellaini, and he seems very much to be the quality of player this side is crying out for in that area. At Bayern, however, he is one of many talented playmakers and barely seems needed, so United will certainly be kicking themselves over this loss.
1. Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid)
After disappointing performances from their wingers last season, surely the likes of Nani, Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young needed replacing. Angel Di Maria of Real Madrid could have been the perfect upgrade, and seemed to be available with the Spanish giants’ signing of Gareth Bale from Tottenham. Arsenal were also interested in the skillful Argentine, though they then signed his team-mate Mesut Ozil instead, which may have led Real manager Carlo Ancelotti to think he could’ve done with keeping Di Maria around.
Still, one can’t help but feel if United had gone about their business quicker they could’ve been in with a serious chance of signing Di Maria, or indeed a number of other useful attacking players, with Benfica star Nicolas Gaitan also one of their more promising targets in that position.