da fezbet： Manchester United’s struggles go on and on as Louis van Gaal watched his team crash out of the Champions League this week. The Dutchman finally loosened the shackles on his players and afforded them the impetus to attack Wolfsburg. It failed.
da betobet： So, perhaps we were too quick to lambast the 64-year old. Maybe he didn’t have the players to deploy such cavalier tactics rather than any personal hang ups. After all, the only time the Red Devils looked to get at a relatively decent side in what seems to be forever, they were beaten in an extremely open game.
Then again, maybe the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach really doesn’t like the thought of attacking teams and creating open spaces. Is it his personal philosophy, or simply what he thinks is the best way to produce results going off what he’s got? That isn’t abundantly clear, less so than before the game in Germany anyway, where we all thought he was somehow eager to watch the repeated snooze fests, as some sort of footballing hipster.
What is clear, however, is the fact something is wrong at Old Trafford. Their transition is going a lot slower than expected, akin to a continental drift. Ironically, they are drifting further and further away from continental counterparts such as Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, who they may have once considered rivals.
Despite the £250m spent, the quest to land a Galactico continues. The January market is not usually the time to acquire big name targets, with most self-respecting teams looking to hold on to their prized assets until the summer at least. Of course, that is barring an extremely lucrative, almost lavish, offer.
As we know, Manchester United are often prepared to do that. Oh what fun.
Here are THREE ins and THREE outs this January in order to boost Manchester United’s title hopes…
IN: SADIO MANE
It’s tempting to simply place Gareth Bale, Thomas Muller and Cristiano Ronaldo in these three spots, but that is almost impossible during January. Instead, another long term target is the subject of a place in this feature.
Southampton’s Sadio Mane is an extremely exciting talent and reportedly a target at the Theatre of Dreams. The Senegalese attacker is what the club are crying out for, someone to break between the lines of defence in the opposition and wreak havoc in pockets so hard to mark.
At 23, he’s not the finished article. However, with finished articles proving so hard to buy, perhaps he can slot in with the likes of Memphis Depay and Anthony Martial in creating hope for the future.
After all, isn’t the whole point of van Gaal to stabilise the club and build for the future? It’s what he’s done everywhere he’s been.
The South Coast outfit aren’t going to be delighted about selling, but an offer big enough would surely tempt their heads.
IN: AYOZE PEREZ
Where Mane offers pace and directness to break through the opposition, Ayoze Perez offers guile and cunning to play through them. Again, there are better playmakers out there, but such talents (for the most part) already ply their trade at outfits more attractive than present day Manchester United.
For many of the same reasons why Mane would be targeted, 22-year old Spaniard Perez fits the ideology imposed by van Gaal. He’s crafting something here, it’s just not easy to see.
A £15m bid has been mooted as the club look prize the young La Roja hopeful away from the North East. Not quite Gareth Bale, but an astute signing with bags and bags of potential.
IN: ROMELU LUKAKU
After a disappointing campaign last time out, Romelu Lukaku has recently been reminding us all of his impressive talents. Still only 21, the big Belgian has a strike ratio of 1 goal in 2 games for the Toffees following his exit from Chelsea.
It’s no surprise then to see Man United linked with him amid their attacking woes. Martial had a wonderful start to life in England, but the 19-year old is still adapting and cannot be tasked with carrying the team. Skipper Wayne Rooney can barely to be tasked to score.
Like Southampton, Everton are in no rush to sell. They proved as much during the John Stones to Chelsea saga over the summer, but Ed Woodward should take stock. Here is a young striker who is already one of the best in the Premier League and is only going to get better.
He’s a first-choice international and exactly what Manchester United need despite his tender years. If you’re going to pay £36.6m for Martial, how much would you pay for Lukaku? Everton will surely sell if they are met with an equally decadent proposal.
He will be expensive, but will no doubt be one of the best strikers in football very soon.
OUT: VICTOR VALDES
Yes, Victor Valdes is still at Old Trafford. Yes, it’s the same Victor Valdes who was an ever present in arguably the greatest club side ever seen. No, he’s not got a chance of staying at Old Trafford.
The 33-year old shot stopper endured the wrath of van Gaal after reportedly falling out with him and looks all but certain to leave just a year after joining. A shame really, as surely he’s a better backup than Sergio Romero.
However, countryman David De Gea is imperial between the posts and his position will not be breached. Until Real Madrid come calling again. It seems Valdes has done something to irk the Dutchman so much, the World Cup winner will not even be kept on as an understudy.
A move away seems likely, with two Mexican giants in Atlas and Veracruz reportedly battling over his services.
OUT: MAROUANE FELLAINI
Marouane Fellaini emerged as a helpful Plan B last year under LVG, able to change games within the last half an hour or so by offering his physical presence and obvious aerial threat. However, the afro headed former Everton man has been urged to leave Old Trafford by Belgium coach Marc Wilmots ahead of Euro 2016.
Now, United are currently really in much of a position to sell players who win them games. However, should arrivals come as expected this winter, the 28-year old be afforded the chance to leave in search of first-team football.
Unfortunately for the towering Belgian, he’ll forever by synonymous with ill-fated tenure of David Moyes at Old Trafford, no matter what he does.
OUT: GUILLERMO VARELA
The Uruguayan has finally made his long awaited first-team appearance with the club, over two years since joining. However, his debut came as a result of an injury crisis at the club as Matteo Darmian and Antonio Valencia were ruled out.
As Phil Jones returns, it’s hard to see the 22-year old getting a game again. He’s performed well enough but the former Penarol ace is not of the required standard going forward. In van Gaal’s current predicament, he needs better. He has better.
Italian club Napoli have been linked with making a move as they cast their eye over his situation at Old Trafford. The Serie A giants are more likely to offer Varela a regular starting berth, in a move that could be beneficial to all parties.