Previous target Arturo Vidal is obviously someone the club would ideally want and may try to land him again however, the Chilean won't come cheap and is happy to stay in Turin. Other names floating around the rumour mill include Paul Pogba but, a return to Manchester United is unlikely following his torrid time there and seems destined for a big money move to one of the Spanish super powers Barcelona or Real Madrid.
So who should Woodward and co consider? It really depends on what sort of midfielder Van Gaal is after. Whether it be a midfield hard man to break up play, a player to dictate tempo and recycle moves or a creative number 10?
Van Gaal dropped hints that he was after a creative midfielder in his latest interview, one that did not involve tactical dossiers or references to a "twitchy ass." The Dutchman said: "In the last games, I played with Adnan Januzaj and Angel Di Maria in the midfield positions and you need a certain balance for those kind of creative players.
"So when you have these creative players and you think that [Radamel] Falcao and [Robin] van Persie are also creative, then you have four creative players. Then you have to look for balance in your team."
"So when you have these creative players and you think that [Radamel] Falcao and [Robin] van Persie are also creative, then you have four creative players. Then you have to look for balance in your team."
If its the tempo-setting creative type, step forward Miralem Pjanic of Roma. Anyone that has watched the little midfielder's development under Rudi Garcia will know that he is apt fit. Assured on the ball, blessed with great vision and not shy to drive forward from midfield, the Bosnian international should be top of the wish list.
However, he is in the mould of a Ander Herrera, a player who was signed for £29m but has slipped down Van Gaal's pecking order. Van Gaal is also shown he is willing to play Wayne Rooney in midfield, a player who has looked comfortable in the middle of the park but is probably better suited upfront where he can do more damage. Daley Blind, another summer signing has been favoured as the holding midfielder in the diamond, impressing his first season in England.
Van Gaal has already lauded Michael Carrick and is clearly a huge fan of the English midfielder, so much so handed him the vice captain role. Carrick when fit, challenges Blind for spot sitting in midfield. While it is often Pjanic's team mate Kevin Strootman reportedly being courted by Van Gaal since his appointment, Pjanic would be a better suit to Manchester United given the players they already have.
Strootman was not his usual all action self when he returned to Roma following knee surgery that ruled him out of the world cup. Cartilage damage was suffered as a result of the surgery and has now forced Strootman to sit out the remainder of the season, casting doubt over the long term fitness on the midfielder and if would he be worth the gamble.
Van Gaal has recognised his squad still needs to be improved and a reluctance to delver to much into the January transfer window suggests Van Gaal is not interested in quick fixes. This summer could see Manchester United test the resolve of long term targets and yet more blockbuster names in the world of football could be courted into turning out at Old Trafford. Watch this space!
No comments:
Post a Comment