2 january Signings Who Can Bring Manchester United Back On Track

Two January Signings that would get Man Utd back on track

January is just two months away and teams now try to fill in holes that require urgent attention. This window is for the emergencies, the boosts and the investments. Generally, we get a clear idea about players’ situations at their clubs and how well they’ll fit in if transferred mid-season. Now when we consider Man Utd, who have got off to their worst start since 24 years, we get that feel that they’ll need a signing or two in the winter window just to get that depth and quality to repair their campaign. Well, here are two players who could get Man Utd’s season back on track. Note that these transfers may/may not be possible and are not entirely based on news and rumours but more on the fact that they would fit in van Gaal’s system.

1. Juan Jesus (Center Back) – Inter Milan

The young Brazilian, a speedy and left footed lad is a powerful central defender. At age 23 he is perfect to fit into most teams challenging for a top four spot. There have been absolutely no rumours suggesting or linking the player to Man Utd, but on sheer performance and type, Juan would easily be an improvement over Evans or Smalling. Man Utd’s high pressure game would not be heavy on Juan’s shoulders as he has got the legs to cover areas behind him. A defender of similar style was purchased by local rivals Man City when they splashed cash for Eliaquim Mangala.

When their stats are compared by considering Rojo, Smalling and Juan Jesus, we find that Juan has a much higher tackling average as he averages above five tackles a game marking his aggressive streak in comparison to the roughly three tackles Rojo makes and about two by Smalling. Jesus can be that player who presses higher with the motive to win the ball higher up the pitch, they way modern teams aim to play. Being naturally left footed, Juan Jesus would play Left Center Back, pushing Rojo into Left Back, where he’s better. It would eventually mean youngster Luke Shaw would be benched, who is still very raw and would obviously need time to develop into the player a club of Man Utd’s stature would want.

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2. Juan Cuadrado (Right Midfield) – Fiorentina

The energetic Colombian is targeted by many top clubs, even from the Premier League. Cuadrado has been Fiorentina’s key man while he also showed his ability in the World Cup. Man Utd’s problems lie in the midfield as well. Most people don’t look beyond the defensive problems, but the midfield lacks balance. United have always been the team who would prefer playing an attack minded 4-4-2 formation. Last year’s purchase of Juan Mata meant that there was a wily number 10 player in the team and there needed to be a spot for him in the formation.

United’s two strikers playing centrally meant Mata would play on the wings. Mata’s influence isn’t strong in the wide areas as much as it is centrally when he’s given freedom to operate. Mata has been getting goals and assists but that’s because of his sheer ability. He’s not been controlling games like he did with Chelsea a couple of seasons before. Now we get to the other Juan, who is Cuadrado. Cuadrado has pace, energy, work rate as well as dribbling, crossing and finishing skills. Man Utd have Valencia, Young and Januzaj who play wing. Valencia has become really predictable, Young is rather poor or average while Januzaj is a developing player and is honestly, not good enough to be a top first team’s decisive Right Winger as yet. Cuadrado can play 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1 or any formation the manager likes. He can switch to a wing back or a balanced wide midfielder or an advanced wide player by playing as a winger. He’ll bring extra flair to Man Utd and would fit perfectly.