Manchester United’s perfect Fabregas alternative stars in revenge win Ilkay Gundogan has been identified by many as the perfect long-term replacement for Paul Scholes - and his performance in the German Super Cup suggested so. This summer, Manchester United have been strongly linked with a move for Barcelona’s former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas. So far, despite Barcelona clearly stating he is not for sale, United have remained bullish on the subject of Fabregas. Moyes has identified him as the perfect summer signing, and replacement for the now retired Paul Scholes. But today there have been mixed reports over his future. Some claim he has confirmed he wants a United move - others that Moyes may now pursue other interests. One player mentioned as a possible alternative is a man I personally think should have been first-choice anyway - Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan. The German international has many similar characteristics to Fabregas - but is four years younger than the Spaniard. In Dortmund’s game of counter attacking and fast paced offensive play Gundogan is key - the link between defence and attack - and the pendulum in the side’s style of play. He is also a fan of United - stating in 2011 that United were his ‘dream club’. And judging by his performance in yesterday’s German Super Cup, it is a dream Moyes would do well to make come true. Borussia Dortmund took the now Pep Guardiola managed Bayern Munich to the sword, in a revenge fixture for last season’s Champions League final defeat. Gundogan was voted the man-of-the-match in the fixture - in which goals from himself, Marco Reus (2) and Daniel Van Buyten (OG), were enough to help Jurgen Klopp’s side claim a 4-2 victory over their Bavarian rivals - despite a double from Arjen Robben. In the end the Super Cup is just a glorified friendly - much like our Community Shield. But given the animosity in recent months between the two clubs, over the Champions League final and Bayern’s relentless pursuit of Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski - victory would have tasted sweet for the Westphalian’s yesterday. But Gundogan’s measured performance of craft, guile and a little bit of spice thrown in really caught the eye - and if the Fabregas pursuit ends fruitless, then the Dortmund alternative is equally as impressive an acquisition to consider.
Posted on: Mon, 29 Jul 2013 12:20:00 +0000
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