MANCHESTER UNITED CHIEF executive David Gill admitted at the close of last season that United were ready to delve deep in to the transfer market this summer.
At the club’s Player of the Year awards boss Alex Ferguson backed up Gill’s statement and confirmed to the club’s in-house station MUTV that he hoped to sign “three or four” players before the August deadline.
Evolving the side with as many new faces isn’t unusual at Old Trafford during the summer. At this stage of the year everybody inside Old Trafford and observers outside the famous ground are aware of just what’s required to improve the squad.
What’s most surprising about the summer of 2012 however, is that United observers are all at odds with regards what Alex Ferguson should do in the transfer market. While Fergie always keeps his cards close to his chest when it comes to the exact personnel he’s bringing in, everyone is usually aware of the type of player — or at least a playing position — that the boss would be looking at.
But discussing matters with fans over the past months, nobody seems to be able to agree with where United need strengthening. Yesterday the club announced their first summer signing of the transfer window in the shape of playmaker Shinji Kagawa. The 23-year-old Japanese star is an exciting looking prospect, and whilst United fans are happy about the capture, some pundits are wondering if this is the area United really needed to strengthen in. Is this a priority? Maybe not, there are a few more signings to be made, but everybody has different opinions on what positions will be sought.
Shopping list
There’s been a cry for over a year that a midfielder’s needed. But what were these people crying out for? An attacking creative midfielder (a void likely to be filled by Kagawa), or a disciplined holding player to sweep ahead of the back four?
With players such as Gareth Bale and Eden Hazard linked with the club, are there suggestions out there that United are chasing another winger?
Further forward, Dimitar Berbatov is about to leave the club and Michael Owen has been relieved of his duties. With the no 9 shirt available, will Fergie have been searching Europe for a brand new frontman?
And if United fans are being honest with themselves, the team lacked real strength in both full-back areas in the past season — and a couple of incoming players may well be defenders. Patrice Evra looks a shade of the player he was in a United shirt in years previous. The Red Devils have been linked with Everton left-full Leighton Baines and that seems to make an awful lot of sense.
There wouldn’t be many eyebrows raised if the Englishman was one of the ‘three or four’ on Fergie’s list. But will he also plump to sign a right-full?
Case for the defence
United struggled massively in some key games in that particular side of the defensive line last year with Rafael beginning there in most occassions, and Chris Smalling and Phil Jones also playing with regularity due to a lack of belief in the young Brazilian. As mentioned, a couple of wingers have been mooted as possible signings, but this is one area where United don’t seem to need strengthening in. Ashley Young had a fantastic first season at Old Trafford and is battling for one of two wide positions against Nani and Antonio Valenica.
Some rumours have been circulating that Nani could head out the exit door, but despite a delay over signing a contract extension, this seems unlikely. Kagawa is now on board, pending his medical, with another midfielder also likely to join. The Luka Modric talk won’t go away, but having captured Kagawa, surely there is no room for the current Spurs star.
They are both attack-minded midfielders who link up play and surely Fergie would have plumped for one over the other. United have also been linked with Newcastle duo Cheikh Tiote and Yohan Cabaye. The former is the type of player that could compliment a Kagawa or Scholes/Giggs/Cleverley — who likes to play in more advanced midfield positions, and is a likely target. But do they need a striker too? With Owen and Berba out the door and Kiko Macheda having failed to impress Fergie and also likely to be sold off, or sent on loan will the United gaffer sign one big-name striker to fight for the two forward positions with Rooney, Hernandez and Welbeck?
Forward thinking
Is Fergie in the market for his new no 9? The Reds haven’t been linked with many strikers, but this is a position that could well need strengthening. Borrussia Dortmund’s Robert Lewandowski has been mentioned and could join up with former teammate Kagawa.
Is Klaas Huntelaar a possible signing? We never really know until Fergie reveals his hand. But what is most surprising this summer is not only do we not know who the exact player is Fergie’s looking at, we don’t even know what positions he wants to buy for either.
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