Following a low-key start to the role last summer, in which he signed just one player – Marouane #Fellaini – and decided to wait until his release clause expired and then proceed to pay millions more for him, Manchester United chief executive Ed Woodward is growing into his new job. In a stark contrast to his cat in the headlights approach to transfers last summer, Woodward has even managed to find time for a bit of boasting, stressing that there is no set budget at United and that the Old Trafford club could break the world’s record transfer fee if they wanted to. Such boasting is probably markedly easier following the arrival of Louis van Gaal to replace David #Moyes and comes safe in the knowledge that he has already spent big on bringing in Luke #Shaw from #Southampton and Ander #Herrera from Athletic Bilbao, adding to Moyes’ January signing of Juan #Mata. In reality, Woodward is unlikely to smash the world’s record transfer fee this window. The pool of players good enough to command such a fee is small and if he were going to then he surely would either have done so on Luis #Suarez or James #Rodriguez, or at least set the wheels in motion on what would surely have been a summer-long saga. However he could still spend big, with numerous players linked with moves to United in recent weeks. In light of Woodward’s comments, here are five more players that United could yet break the bank for. Angel Di Maria No player created more chances for Real Madrid last season than Angel Di Maria (90), while no other player in Europe’s top five leagues made more assists than the Argentina international (17). It seems strange, therefore, that the midfielder is available, but such is the way of the Galacticos. The signing of James Rodriguez has seen Di Maria reportedly made available, with United heavily linked as well as PSG. While United may not strictly need a player of Di Maria’s position, they need players of his quality and fitting him into the same side as Juan Mata and his preferred strike pair would be a welcome challenge for Van Gaal. Mats #Hummels Louis van Gaal confirmed in the wake of United’s 7-0 friendly victory over LA Galaxy that he is looking to keep the experimental three at the back formation that worked so well in LA, making United’s need for more centre-back’s all the more acute. Phil #Jones and Chris #Smalling were signed in the hope that they would be ready and waiting to take over from Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja #Vidic when the latter pair left, but time has run out for the #England duo, who both look far from the finished article. That leaves Jonny #Evans as the most senior defender at the club, solid enough but hardly the man around which to build a defence. If Van Gaal is to play two centre-backs, then he probably needs to sign another to at least cover, but if he is to play three centre-backs then he urgently needs to sign another to avoid a situation where all of his centre backs are on the pitch at the same time. Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels further increased his reputation at the World Cup and would look to be the best attainable defender out there. Jurgen Klopp has already dismissed talk of a move, but money talks and if Woodward is willing to spend big then Dortmund would be likely to eventually agree to a sale. Marco #Reus Like Di Maria, Reus would be more of a luxury signing given the current attacking riches at United’s disposal. However it would also be an exciting signal of intent. Manchester United’s wide players – and by that I mean those that aren’t simply frustrated number tens – have been poor in recent seasons. Antonio “scared of the number seven shirt” #Valencia has rarely shown he should start for a top side, while Ashley #Young has become notorious for his diving rather than displaying any kind of football ability, barring the odd long-range shot. Depending upon formation, Reus would likely line up from the left at United; a position from which he scored 16 goals and provided 13 assists for Borussia Dortmund last season. Paul #Pogba The tactic of never getting around to properly replacing any of the central midfielders among the class of 92 has come back to haunt United in the past few seasons and with both Ryan #Giggs and Paul #Scholes finally retired it looks like a central midfielder to partner Ander Herrera will be high up Van Gaal’s priority list. Re-signing Pogba would be an expensive mistake, but if Woodward is intent upon signing the best and reestablishing United as one of Europe’s elite then swallowing the club’s pride and bringing the 21-year-old back from Juventus would be a statement of intent. Pogba scored seven league goals and provided seven Serie A assists for Juve last season. Arturo #Vidal Currently looking more likely a signing than Juventus teammate Pogba, Arturo Vidal is reportedly to be the subject of a £42.5 million – club record – bid from United. The Chile midfielder scored 11 times in Serie A from his box-to-box role in Turin last season, as well as assisting five, and also made 96 successful tackles over his 32 league appearances. Potentially the man to step into the long-vacated midfield void left by Roy Keane, Vidal would be a significant step up upon last year’s big summer signing: Marouane Fellaini.
Posted on: Fri, 25 Jul 2014 08:32:34 +0000
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