Five players that United could target in January to turn their campaign around.
Manchester United’s miserable start to the 2014/15 season perhaps hit a new low this weekend, with the Red Devils stunningly throwing away a 3-1 lead at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium, with United’s lack of defensive solidity having been apparent as they were eviscerated by the raw pace of Foxes striker Jamie Vardy.
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The perceived wisdom is that United’s summer spending has been top heavy, with the likes of Angel di Maria and Radamel Falcao pursued potentially at the expense of some less exciting but more functional defensive captures. This is something that Louis van Gaal is likely to want to address in January, with these five signings potentially being able to turn the good ship United back around and have it pointing in the right direction:
Kevin Strootman (AS Roma)
United have long been linked with a move for the silky Dutch playmaker, with Louis van Gaal known to be a big fan of Strootman, a player who he built his Dutch plans around before the Roma star was cruelly ruled out of the World Cup through injury. He is almost ready to turn, however, and has been heavily linked with a January Old Trafford siwtch.
Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund)
Perhaps the finest all-round central defender on the planet, reports have suggested that van Gaal has lined up a January move for Borussia Dortmund star Mats Hummels, but the Red Devils may have some job persuading a player who is likely to have his pick of Europe’s biggest clubs that Old Trafford is the right destination for the World Cup winner.
Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa)
A more frugal alternative to Hummels could be a centre back who Louis van Gaal knows very well – Ron Vlaar, currently at Aston Villa but with a contract that is winding down towards its expiry. This could mean that United could pounce for a January bargain, with reports suggesting that they will lock horns with Arsenal.
James McCarthy (Everton)
Whilst not an obviously world class name, United’s issue so far this summer has been focusing on reputation rather than how a player fits into the team – but reports that they are interested in a January move for Everton midfielder James McCarthy would indicate that the trend is set to be bucked.
Arturo Vidal (Juventus)
United’s biggest transfer market error this summer was, quite possibly, not fully following through on their interest in industrious Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal, who would add the work-rate and bite that the side’s midfield is currently lacking – but reports suggest they could return for the Chilean in January.