Forget Fellaini: Why Manchester United Should Snap Up This Tough Tackling Midfielder

As you may have seen a million times, Manchester United have just had one of their worst ever seasons. Now, I’m not going to bore you with the details of what happened throughout the season. I’m sure you have seen that countless times and it probably would knock you off to do it once more.

The ineffective Manchester United have had a plethora of problems. Listing them would be an arduous task I ain’t ready to undertake. First off the list, however, is the babbling midfield that has struck a disaster ever since the departure of Paul Scholes. After a year of madness and toying with the midfield, you should expect United to bring in some stability. Speaking of stability, at the top of the head, Arturo Vidal is present.

Constantly linked with United, let’s take a look at three reasons the rumours of Vidal should no longer remain rumors:

Manchester United need a midfielder

Simple. You have a strong midfielder, you have a strong team. That’s how modern football works. In a world where the men in the middle matter the most, Manchester United look lost for quality. In an ever changing world, United have chosen to remain constant with the midfield. Unfortunately, some amount of tinkering is required for every team.

Taking into picture Arturo Vidal, he represents everything that United need. An experienced player with the temperament to play big matches and a solid performer. An ability to shine from the midfield and influence his team, Vidal is required to bring back the lost midfield at United.

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He scores goals

How long has it been since we saw a United midfielder get into the box and score a goal. Perhaps, this is the area where every team has systematically outperformed United. Arsenal have Ramsay, Chelsea have Ramires, Manchester City have Yaya Toure and Liverpool have Gerrard. And whom do United have? Marouane Fellaini, who in the hope of doing such things was purchased.

He has had absolutely nothing to speak for this year. Vidal, on the other hand has been Juventus’ third highest scorer with 11 goals. It would be good to see a center midfielder at Old Trafford scoring goals.

He tackles with real intent

Tom Cleverly, Anderson, Fellaini and Michael Carrick. How many times have you seen them put their foot into a real challenge and come out victorious? I guess the answer would be embarrassing.

From the iconic and dominant Bryan Robson, to the powerful Roy Keane, all the way down to Tom Cleverly. That’s what it has been at Old Trafford. With 20 clearances, 3 blocks and 39 interceptions Vidal makes it a point that he averages 2 defensive actions per game. Moreover he wins a lot of Aerial Duels in the final third, which stands at 56% for the season, 3% higher than Marouane Fellaini who was brought in for the exact same reason.

Paul Scholes and tackling were poles apart and the departure of Roy Keane really put that spot to the wolves. United’s inability to make a crunchy tackle in the middle has been highly consequential at the back. This inability results in not closing out attacks before they begin thus allowing the opponent to advance into United’s own area.

Vidal, in all essence is a destroyer, above all. He knows where to lung in and win the ball. Alongside Pirlo, Vidal’s destructive play has been instrumental for Juventus. There is absolute certainty he could do the same in the Premier League.

Stats via squawka