How Manchester United can bring their squad up to scratch.
Read more Manchester United transfer news.
Manchester United have endured another horrible start to the season, having been beaten 2-1 by Swansea City at Old Trafford in Louis van Gaal’s first match as the club’s manager.
Fans are dismayed at the lack of high-level transfer activity, with many again criticising chief executive Ed Woodward for the club’s poor performance in the summer market, despite the signings of Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera.
Time is running out for United to save their summer, and drastic action is required from both Woodward and van Gaal in the coming weeks. These five signings, coupled with five departures, would do the job:
Juan Cuadrado (Fiorentina – In)
United have been strongly linked with a £32m move for wide player Juan Cuadrado from Serie A outfit Fiorentina, with the Colombian World Cup star seemingly keen to move on from the Florence based club. He would be an ideal capture, capable of playing both on the right in van Gaal’s favoured 3-4-1-2 system or further forward if they revert back to a 4-3-3.
Rafael (Out)
Right back Rafael seems set to be allowed to leave Old Trafford this summer, having largely been left out of United’s pre-season preparations by Louis van Gaal. There is no clear destination for the Brazilian, but clubs are likely to feel that they may be able to help Rafael to refind the potential that he seemed to have when firsta rriving at Old Trafford.
Daley Blind (Ajax – In)
Versatile Ajax and Netherlands player Daley Blind has also been strongly linked with a move to link back up with van Gaal, having impressed with his displays for the Oranje during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Blind is ideal for United, able to play at the back or in midfield in a number of roles within van Gaal’s fluid system.
Ashley Young (Out)
Ashley Young started the defeat against Swansea City on the opening day, but proved to van Gaal that he does not have the defensive discipline or intelligence to play as a wing-back, whilst his attacking play was also less than impressive. Young has had enough chances to really establish himself at Old Trafford to this point, failing to grasp any of them, and it may be time for the former Aston Villa man to move on.
Marcos Rojo (Sporting Lisbon – In)
United are edging closer to the signing of Argentinian international defender Marcos Rojo from Sporting Lisbon, with the player effectively having gone on strike after a £16m bid was rejected by the Portuguese club. United seem confident that they can still sort out a deal for Rojo, however, who would add pace and physical prowess to a United defence that was lacking in both during the defeat to Swansea.
Anderson (Out)
Brazilian midfielder Anderson has proven that he isn’t god enough for United during his time at the club, seemingly regressing as a player before being shipped out to spend part of last season on loan at Fiorentina in Serie A. Getting Anderson off the wage bill on a permanent basis would give van Gaal more room to manoeuvre in the centre of the park.
William Carvalho (Sporting Lisbon – In)
It is not just Rojo from Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon that United should be targeting – central midfielder William Carvalho, who they were linked with earlier in the summer, would go a long way to solving the problems that the club has. A physically imposing, technically gifted holding midfielder, Carvalho enjoyed a fine campaign with Sporting, showing more than enough to suggest that he could be a wonderful capture for one of the European elite clubs.
Marouane Fellaini (Out)
Reports have suggested in recent days that midfielder Marouane Fellaini looks set for a season-long loan move to Serie A side Napoli, with the Belgian’s sorry period at Old Trafford set to be allowed to come to an end. The former Everton man had a dreadful 2013/14 season, having largely been criticised for his lacklustre displays and lack of energy in central midfield – a clean break would surely be the best option for both parties.
Arturo Vidal (Juventus – In)
The big transfer story of United’s summer has been their pursuit of Chilean international midfielder Arturo Vidal from Serie A champions Juventus, with the extend to which the club’s pursuit of the player meaning that there will be disappointment if Woodward is not able to get his man. The deal seems to have gone cold recently, which would be a shame, because Vidal’s work rate and physicality could help to improve what was a lifeless United midfield on the opening day.
Javier Hernandez (Out)
Mexican international forward Javier Hernandez also started the Swansea match, but he didn’t impressing, and was hauled off at half-time by van Gaal after an ineffectual display. It would be a surprise if Hernandez is still at the club come February, with the diminutive striker little more than a poacher and not possessing the all-round game to offer enough to a club like Manchester United.