Manchester United and Louis van Gaal have endured a difficult start to the season, barely helped by the heap of injuries to several first team players, most noticeably at the back where they have looked vulnerable all season. The Dutchman insisted at the beginning of the season that their massive spending spree wouldn’t necessarily guarantee instant success and that his players would need time to adapt to his philosophy. A new ideology, a new system aside, Manchester United still don’t look like a finished article and could do with one or two new players in the January transfer window. With the stature of the club, and with the amount of money that has been spent and with that at stake thanks to big-ticket sponsorship deals, United cannot afford another season out of Europe’s most elite competition. United NEED to spend in one or two PROVEN names. Players who will seamlessly fit into the system.
Let’s take at a possible Manchester United post the January transfer window.
Goalkeeper:
David De Gea
The Spaniard has well and truly established himself as United’s No.1 and one of the best in the world between the sticks. Victor Valdes’ signing, if it happens, would do little to unsettle the outstanding De Gea.
Defenders:
Rafael, Hummels, Jones, Shaw.
Rafael is undoubtedly an indispensable asset at right back, his attacking forays down the right flank lend United an added dimension to their attacking play. If United come calling, Mats Hummels will have a choice to make between relegation-threatened Dortmund and an offer to play for one of the world’s greatest clubs with a challenging project up ahead. United need a top-draw, experienced centre back. Hummels fits the bill perfectly, if at all he is lured away from Westfalenstadion. Phil Jones, if fit, should be preferred over the error-prone Chris Smalling and the inconsistent Jonny Evans. Luke Shaw will edge out Marcos Rojo at left back.
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