Why Cuadrado would be ideal for van Gaal.
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Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal and chief executive Ed Woodward are continuing their hunt for a stellar, world class signing this summer, as fans continue to lose patience with their inability to strengthen the Old Trafford squad.
One man who has been mentioned as a potential signing is wide man Juan Cuadrado from Fiorentina, with United reportedly readying a £32 million bid for the impressive Colombian international.
The former Udinese man enjoyed a superb season for his club last year, topped off with a magical World Cup, and would be the ideal signing for van Gaal and United. These are the five reasons why:
He can provide the ‘wow factor’
One criticism of United last season was that they were tepid and stoic to watch, with a lack of pace and incisiveness throughout the team. Cuadrado would help to remedy that, having been one of the most electrifying performers in Serie A last season. His direct dribbling, seering pace and propensity to shoot from long range make him a player who it is extremely difficult to take your eye off.
He is perfect for the right wing-back role
One of the big talking points of the summer at United has been Louis van Gaal’s decision to switch the side’s system to the 3-4-1-2 formation that he used to great effect with the Netherlands at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The current squad does not quite fit the system, however – but the signing of Cuadrado would go a long way to remedying that. The Colombian would slot in to one of the problem positions, the right wing back, effortlessly, having played it to great effect on occasion for both club and country.
He can be equally effective in a 4-3-3
For most of his managerial career, van Gaal has favoured a traditional Dutch 4-3-3 system, and he could be tempted to revert to type should the 3-4-1-2 experiment not be the success that it was with the national team. Cuadrado is a flexible enough player to also excel in this system, either as an attacking right back or, more likely, on the right flank, where his driving runs and pace can still be a huge danger.
He can only get better
Cuadrado is only 26, so he is entering his prime years of a football, and should continue to improve over the next two to three years. Much of United’s successful transfer policy under Sir Alex Ferguson was buying players as they entered into these years, so that United could enjoy their prime performances in their late twenties. Cuadrado would represent a return to this policy after the slightly young signings of Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera.
He provides a spark
One thing that was clear from United’s timid defeat to Swansea was the lack of fear that mid-table teams facing off against United now have, in stark contrast to their fearsome reputation under Ferguson. Signing Cuadrado would go some way to changing that, with the Colombian offering the spark of genius that can turn tight matches on their head and who opposition defenders will always have to keep in the back of their minds.