Comparisons of United’s targets in defence, midfield and out wide.
SEE ALSO: All the Premier League done deals so far.
With a new centre-back, a new central midfielder and a new winger looking like being the main priorities in the transfer market for new Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal, CaughtOffside looks at the six main players being targeted in those areas and who would be the best option for the Red Devils.
Some big names have been linked with United this summer as they look to make up for last season’s nightmare campaign under David Moyes, and though things already look brighter under van Gaal’s management, there are still key areas of the team that need addressing before the start of the 2014/15 season.
Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand have left the club short of quality at centre-back after moving at the end of last season, while midfield has been a problem position for them for some time now, with new signings needed both centrally and out wide.
Six main players seem to be on van Gaal’s priority list at the moment, but assuming that only three will come in, which would be the better fit in each area for this squad?
Centre-back: Mats Hummels vs Mehdi Benatia
According to recent reports, United have narrowed down their central defensive targets to Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels and Mehdi Benatia of AS Roma, with Thomas Vermaelen slipping through the net as he joins Barcelona from Arsenal.
Both players are undoubtedly world class performers and among the best in the world in their position. United cannot exactly afford to be picky, so either would make a great signing for the club in defence, where their current options are Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling. This is clearly an area that needs fixing quick and United should step up their efforts to sign both players if possible.
However, if it were to come down to a choice between one or the other, it is arguable that Hummels just edges it, with the German international a more experienced winner, with Bundesliga titles for Dortmund and a World Cup medal for his country under his belt already. He would possibly also be cheaper at a price of around £20m than the Moroccan stopper, who is valued at closer to £30m.
Vote: Hummels
Central midfield: Arturo Vidal vs Fredy Guarin
In midfield, it looks to have come down to a contest between Juventus star Arturo Vidal and Inter Milan ace Fredy Guarin to be United’s new hero in the middle of the park. While Vidal seems the obvious choice after establishing himself as one of the best midfielders in the world in recent years, there’s no doubt that any player represents something of a risk when such big money is involved.
Vidal would likely cost United around £47m or more, which would be something of a modern equivalent of their signing of Juan Sebastian Veron from Lazio back in 2001, when the Argentine made the big-money move to Old Trafford after looking world class in Serie A, but left just two years later after minimal impact in the Premier League.
Guarin is a decent player and may be available for more like £15m, but on the face of it is simply not quite at Vidal’s level. Although there can be no telling how a player will adapt to a new team, at the moment Vidal just edges it, despite the enormous transfer fee.
Vote: Vidal
Wide-midfield: Angel Di Maria vs Juan Cuadrado
Much of who United target out wide will depend on how Louis van Gaal sets up his side to play this season. With the Dutchman currently favouring the use of wing-backs in a 3-5-2 formation, there’s no doubt that Fiorentina star Juan Cuadrado would be a better fit on the right flank, with his superb energy and combination of ability at the back and upfront making him the perfect signing to fill that role.
The Colombian international would also end up being a far cheaper purchase at just £25m, though while he has lit up Serie A with his recent displays, he remains somewhat short of being in the world class bracket that Real Madrid’s Angel Di Maria fits into at this moment in time, even if he would cost around £55m.
The Argentine scored 11 and set up 26 goals for Real as they won the Champions League and Copa del Rey last season, and is the kind of player worth changing your formation for. Combining with the likes of Juan Mata, and with Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney to aim at upfront, Di Maria could be a real hit at Old Trafford and would represent a superbly ambitious signing for the new manager.
Vote: Di Maria