David Moyes didn’t enjoy the best of times at Manchester United. But there was certainly some good things that he did or at least tried to do during his reign that his predecessor didn’t. The fact that Manchester United are in need of a top quality central midfielder had been evident for quite some time, but Sir Alex Ferguson didn’t think too much of it. Although United kept winning under the Scot, as soon as he left, that area became a concern.
David Moyes certainly understood that and wanted to immediately address. Whilst his signature of Marouane Fellaini might not have been the best decision in hindsight, he also tried to sign another central midfielder. A central midfielder, who would have very well solved most of midfield problems and provided a solid platform for the side. Although United’s £34million bid was rejected last summer, the club have continued to keep tabs on him and they might just get their man this time around.
The player in question? Real Madrid’s 27-year-old central midfielder Sami Khedira. The German international was the subject of a last-minute bid by United last summer and might just make it to Old Trafford this time around. The departure of Mesut Ozil meant that it was highly unlikely that his fellow German could also follow suit. But, this time around, things look a lot different.
Injured for most of last season, Carlo Ancelotti was forced to look at other options in the centre of the park. The partnership of Xabi Alonso and Luka Modric blossomed as the club went onto win the Champions League. While Khedira is now fit and firing, it has recently emerged that the Italian manager doesn’t see the 27-year-old in his plans for the club next season. The German has been deemed surplus to requirements and the former Stuttgart man could leave for as little as £20 million.
The German international’s apparent availability is good news for both Van Gaal and United as the player fits into the style of both the coach and the club. For a very brief while, Owen Hargreaves showed United fans what they had been missing since the departure of Roy Keane. Unfortunately for both the club and the player, he was injured and never really recovered from it.
Khedira will improve the midfield the kind of impetus that they have been lacking for a long time now. With his unmatched aerial ability and his dynamism, the German could very well be the engine room of the United attack for years to come. The 27-year-old’s technical ability is beyond doubt and he is one of the few players who are effective at both winning the ball and making good use of it.
Given Van Gaal’s preference for a 4-3-3, the German international would be the perfect man to anchor the midfield, thanks to his dynamism and energy. Khedira has proven time and again that he can, not only make crucial interceptions and tackles, but also be a ball-carrier from midfield who provides the perfect link between defence and attack.
The German would not only offer the physical presence that they have often lacked in midfield, but also provide a tactical flexibility as he can play in a two-man or a three-man midfield. Whether Van Gaal decides to go for his favoured 4-3-3 formation or a 4-2-3-1 formation, Khedira is someone who not only has the skills but also the tactical nous to play in both systems with equal ease.
Although he is slightly similar to Carrick in how he doesn’t lunge into tackles, Khedira is a lot more dynamic and is more of an up and down player rather than one who just stays in the same place. His addition will give Carrick a partner that he has been waiting for, for quite a while and if and when Carrick does decide to retire, he looks set to be the perfect replacement for the ageing Englishman.
Signing Khedira would be a signal of intent by Manchester United and provide them with some much needed impetus in midfield. If they beat Arsenal to the German’s signature, it would certainly be a big boost ahead of what promises to be an interesting campaign for the Red Devils.