Manchester United ‘Ins’ and ‘Outs’
Manchester United have already completed the signings of Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera this summer, but the spending does not seem to be stopping there. After a summer filled with speculation of a vast number of players signing for United, here are the current and most likely players to sign as well as the players most likely to leave.
In:
CB – Mats Hummels
Both Rio Ferdinand and Vidic have left Old Trafford, which leaves United without a solid experienced center-back. Johnny Evans, Phil Jones, and Chris Smalling have all made appearances in the middle, but none of them have been able to earn a consistent starting role. Luke Shaw will join the back line this season, so Van Gaal needs some experience in the back to form a good foundation.
Van Gaal has made Hummels his number one target for center-back. Hummels, 25, is still young enough to provide United with many good years, but he also has a vast amount of experience at the club and national level. Dortmund have lost a handful of top players in the last few years, so it will be difficult to get him to come. A fee in the area of £30 million may be enough to get him. An alternate option could be to include former Dortmund player Shinji Kagawa in the deal. Kagawa was brought into United by Ferguson, but after Ferguson’s retirement, he has never made a breakthrough into regular first team football. A player swap plus cash may be enough to persuade Dortmund to sell Hummels.
ODDS: 70%
CM – Arturo Vidal
Obviously, it is no surprise that United need a midfield overhaul. Van Gaal has already signed Ander Herrera, 24, but needs to add one more player to the ranks. Van Gaal has enough talent on the attacking midfield side of things with Mata, Rooney, and Januzaj. He needs a midfielder that will sit behind the front players and create chances for them.
Vidal is reportedly a major target for Van Gaal and he would certainly bring some strength and passion back into the midfield. Early rumors stated that United were just going to pay around £45 million for him, but now rumors are leaning towards a player exchange plus cash. Both Nani and Patrice Evra has been rumored to be going to Juventus as part of the deal. Nani has obviously been on the sidelines for most of the season and many fans would be okay with the swap. Evra being considered in the deal may hurt United. He just signed a one year extension and would be a perfect mentor and back up to new signing Luke Shaw. Evra is past his prime and would most likely lose his starting spot to Shaw, but with Ferdinand and Vidic already gone, United’s back line should look to keep some experience around. It looks like United are going to pay the money to get Vidal, so now it is just a matter of if Nani or Evra will be included.
ODDS: 90%
LM – Angel Di Maria
The Real Madrid winger has been recently linked with United after Alexis Sanchez looks like he will be off to Arsenal. He would be a good addition to the squad after both Young and Nani have been sub-par over the last season. He has experience at the top level and would bring that to the team. Rumors are that Real Madrid would be happy to let Di Maria go, because they are looking to bring in Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez. The Argentine would still cost United quite a lot of money.
The figure would probably be somewhere around £45 – £50 million. If United offloaded one of their other wingers, preferably Ashley Young, then Di Maria could make to be a good signing. He has good pace, top notch ability getting the ball into the box off the wing, and he has a good work ethic throughout the 90min.
ODDS: 65 %
Still on the Radar: Memphis Depay, Wesley Sneijder, Sami Khedira, and Arjen Robben
Possible Outs:
LB – Patrice Evra
Evra looks likely to go to Juventus even though he recently signed a one year extension.
CM – Tom Cleverley
Rumor has it that Cleverley is on the Everton shopping list this summer.
CM – Fellaini
After a poor season, Fellaini will have a hard time fitting into the United midfield.
RM- Nani & LM- Ashley Young
Both wingers have failed to be regular first team starters and although they both have had good seasons for United in the past, fans will not be too upset if they make their departure.
