Manchester United Transfer Opinion
There has been a lot of criticism over Manchester United’s transfer dealings, especially the rather panicky purchase of 19-year-old Anthony Martial for £36 million from Monaco. Manchester United bought well at the start of the season with the signings of Schweinsteiger, Schneiderlin and Depay, but it isn’t just the lack of transfers into the club, it is the number of players who have departed the club which has raised some concerns about squad depth.
A few in, many out but is it going to hurt the Red Devils?
An interesting infographic popped up a couple of days ago, United have lost an entire squad either on loan or for good this transfer window, not even the January window but in this one window. The lack of strikers is a huge problem for United, they sold Falcao, Chicharito and Van Persie. The club only has one world class forward in Wayne Rooney and even he has struggled to score this season.
However, there is some hope for Manchester United in Martial, he is seen as someone who plays a style similar to Thierry Henry, cutting in and having a pop on goal. Memphis Depay and Juan Mata were always going to be the first choice wingers/attackers for the club with Rooney playing as the lone striker, if these three stars click as an attacking unit, United’s goal scoring problems will be a thing of the past, the only problem is the lack of confidence at the moment.
The midfield really is not a problem for Manchester United, they might have let go of Tom Cleverly and a few other players but having a midfield of Carrick, Fellaini, Herrera and the new summer recruits, United do not have to worry about a lack of depth in that position.
The other position that might have been a worry for United fans is the defence, playing Daley Blind as a centre back is not the option for Louis van Gaal but for some reason he persists playing the Dutch midfielder there. Fortunately for Manchester United, their fullbacks have been in great form since the start of the season. Luke Shaw and Matteo Darmian are young, dynamic and look brilliant on either side of the defence. The centre-back pairing of Phil Jones and Smalling or Rojo and Blind may not provide the best defensive options but United did have one ace in the window, with the drama taking place on the last day.
De Gea to stay, yay!
Well, David de Gea’s transfer to Real Madrid did not take place, for a whole host of reasons and both clubs blaming each other. The goalkeeper will be staying at United till the start of the next window at least and that could be the best deal United have maintained this season. De Gea is an excellent goalkeeper, probably the best in the league and keeping him will give them extra protection at the back, which is something that they need, especially after Romero’s rather average showing against Swansea.
The transfer committee at United need to have a good hard look at themselves, they didn’t sign a world class striker or centre back, two positions that United needed to strengthen but being able to keep De Gea, at least for a few months, could provide them the chance of achieving something this season, more than just qualifying for the Champions League.