Five better ways for Manchester United to splash the cash in a midfielder than Arturo Vidal.
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Manchester United seem to be edging ever closer to a deal for Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal, with reports suggesting that a deal worth around £47 million is in place for the Chilean, as long as no issues are found with his knee after an operation over the summer.
Vidal will become new United manager Louis van Gaal’s first genuine marquee signings, despite big money deals already having brought Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera to Old Trafford this summer, but is Vidal the kind of player that United need to get themselves back to the top table of European football?
Despite his work rate and tough tackling, Vidal is a player who is known more for his attacking capabilities than his defensive ones, and likes to play in a very attacking midfield role.
With Herrera already having the box-to-box position nailed down and Juan Mata likely to start as a number ten, we believe that United would be better off signing a defensive midfielder, such as one of these five:
William Carvalho (Sporting Lisbon)
United have been linked with Sporting Lison defensive midfielder William Carvalho before, although so have Premier League rivals Arsenal and Chelsea, with the young Portuguese player emerging as one of Europe’s best prospects.
As a genuine holding midfielder, Carvalho would offer United more balance as a partner to Herrera, whilst also being able to protect a defence that looks as though it could struggle without reinforcement.
Lars Bender (Bayer Leverkusen)
Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Lars Bender has emerged as one of the most impressive defensively minded midfielders in the Bundesliga recently, and may have reached the stage where a move to one of Europe’s biggest clubs is on the cards.
A slightly more box-to-box option than Carvalho, but less attacking than either Herrera or Vidal, Bender would offer real balance to the centre of the United midfield.
Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton)
Southampton midfielder looks set to become the latest player to depart St. Mary’s this summer, potentially to either Arsenal or Tottenham Hotspur, but United would do well to get involved in this transfer battle.
Schneiderlin was possibly the Premier League’s best defensive midfielder last season, and is maybe the finest of the Southampton squad that have been picked apart this summer – he would be perfect for United.
Nigel de Jong (AC Milan)
Ugly incidents for Manchester City and The Netherlands have clouded the career of AC Milan midfielder Nigel de Jong, who is a much finer footballer than people give him credit for.
De Jong has an excellent engine that compliments his defensive positioning and surprising ability on the ball perfectly – he would be an ideal signing for former national team manager van Gaal.
Fredy Guarin (Inter Milan)
Inter Milan midfielder Fredy Guarin has been linked with a move away from the San Siro this summer – and would offer a more cost effective option to Vidal.
Guarin is a similar type of player, capable of getting around the pitch with boundless energy whilst also offering goals, but would leave more money to strengthen the club’s defence.