Date: 21st October 2010 at 3:00pm
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I wasn’t looking forward to writing this as initially I had hoped that the reports were inaccurate or had been blown out of proportion but now Wayne Rooney has used his own mouth to confirm his stance on wanting to leave the club we need to look to the future and think who will we sign to replace him.

Rooney’s statement insinuated that the club lacked ambition as shown through our lack of activity in the transfer market so it is imperative that we refute his claims by going out and signalling our intentions by making some quality signings.

With the likes of Neville, Giggs, Scholes and VDS also due to retire we find ourselves in a precarious position so who can we sign to add some extra spark to our team?

Gareth Bale

Originally a transfer target in 2007 before signing for Spurs, Bale hasĀ  grown wings in the last year and flourished into a real player. Last season his goals against Arsenal and Chelsea helped Spurs gain the 4th Champions League spot and he has carried on his good form this season with more quality performances and goals.

The fact Harry Redknapp has stated Spurs need to build their team around him following his hat trick last night in the San Siro means if a deal can in fact be struck we will pay way more than we would have in 2007 but for a player being named as the heir to Ryan Giggs’ throne it maybe worth the money.

Alexis Sanchez

The young Chilean starred at the World Cup, announcing himself to those who didn’t already know who he was. Capable of playing in a number of attacking positions, Sanchez was initially cited as a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo and whilst Ronaldo is in a world of his own, Sanchez appears to be capable.

Skillful, fast and able to get goals, Sanchez would be a good addition to our team and has made the right noises about joining United if the quotes attributed to him are to be believed but his team Udinese will be well aware of what they have on their hands and will demand top dollar for him.

Javier Pastore

A favourite of mine and a player we have looked at here before, Argentine Javier Pastore is growing as a player all the time and is already shining at this early stage in the season with 4 goals in 7 games. The midfielder who likens himself to Kaka and Riquelme is a creative spark for Palermo in midfield and his rise to prominence this term has softened the blow of losing Cavani to Napoli.

There have been concerns about his slight frame but Paul Scholes has bossed midfields for years despite not being a giant so it may not be as big an issue as some make out.

He himself seems content with his position in Italy and Palermo chairman Mauro Zamparini seems ready to hold onto his star player or draw the biggest fee possible for his young star.


Sergio Aguerro

The diminutive Argentine has been on the world radar for years and this summer was being touted as a potential target not only for us but Chelsea.

Aguerro has shone at Atletico Madrid and although not an out and out goalscorer he has shown a capability to get 20-30 goals a season so with a stronger team he maybe able to do this and more making the huge fee he is likely to require worth it.

Karim Benzema

We already know that Benzema is a player that Sir Alex likes as he has tried to sign him before. Benzema instead chose to go to Real Madrid and has enjoyed a less than spectacular spell there. Hardly playing due to the form of attacking players like Ronaldo, Higuain and Ozil, Real legends like Hugo Sanchez have question his role there claiming he looks ‘confused’ so now could be the right time for him to move on.

Benzema is fast, strong and we know he can score goals. He has technical ability and can move with the ball too. Personally I wouldn’t mind seeing Benzema at United but many people may not be happy signing a player who turned us down previously.

Fernando Torres

A week or so ago I cited this as our ridiculous rumour of the day but now it doesn’t seem so ridiculous and even Roy Hodgeson acknowledges he may be a target for us.

Torres is a quality player, as United fans I don’t need to tell you this, but the whole Liverpool to United stigma remains a massive problem and for me makes the move unlikely.

Steven Defour

Another player we looked at a while ago, the rumours surrounding us as well as others making a move for Defour have picked up. The midfielder who Sir Alex famously sent a get well soon letter to after he found himself out with a long term injury has the quality needed to improve our midfield and although isn’t a huge name on the world stage can undeniably become one with us.

Having won accolades we will face competition for Defour’s signature from Liverpool and supposedly Arsenal but having already made his affection for the player aware if we do move for him I’m pretty sure Defour will remember Sir Alex’s kind words.


 

12 responses to “The star players United can sign to ‘reaffirm our ambition’”

  1. Peanut says:

    Edin Dzeko, Sneijder (linked in summer), Stevan Jovetic etc. would improve United as well… United need more creativity. But the squad is still a lot better than people think. People talk about a replacement for Rooney. Yet United have Berbatov, Owen, Hernandez, Macheda and Diouf and Welbeck already! Maybe it is Scholes and Giggs who need decent replacements. So I say Defour and Sneijder! But it probably won’t happen. So balls…

  2. jonathan says:

    I think you got most of the rumoured targets, but Suarez has also been mentioned. Somewhat similar to Benzema, but playing with way more confidence and has already scored 11 times this season. I’d rate him at the top for a forward target.

    Eventhough our wings are less of a need, Bale may be too good to turn down. That he’s already accustomed to the EPL and would fulfill our British quota is a big plus. He probably plays better D than most wingers too.

    I have yet to see Defour play (if anyone’s honest, I’m sure few have), but from his stats and playing style desciption, he addresses an area of need. The only “problem” is that it may not appear to be a big money signing so it wouldn’t silence critics who want to see one as proof United are in good shape. Personally, I would have no problem with it.

    Sneijder still hasn’t signed an extention and with Mourinho gone I wouldn’t rule that one transfer out either.

  3. Rohit says:

    Balasz Dzsudzsak is a left winger playing for PSV in the eridivisie, for the last year and a half he has easily been among the most productive wingers in europe..At just 23 the hungarian is young, he’s got abundance of pace and is never afraid to take on his man, he is a good crosser of the ball and also has a keen eye for spectacular goals(has a peach of a left foot)..On top of all this he is an excellent set piece specialist..From last august, he has scored almost 20 goals and has 25 assists in his 58 games for psv..

    One to look for and will come in much cheaper than bale..Although bale is one of my absolute favourites:)

  4. Rohit says:

    Sanchez is more of a right winger and we certainly have nani ruling that position..
    Pastore is a fantastic talent, but he has already rejected us and has been quoted as only being interested in a move to the nou camp..But the talent is very evident there, in him and banega argentina have their midfield solution for the next decade..

    @chudi
    you could have added banega to that list..He’s another brilliant prospect, a deep lying playmaker with excellent passing and vision, he also is good defensively..

    • Chudi Onwuazor says:

      Sanchez I can see operating in a free role though, rather than sticking him in a fixed position with his trickery dribbling and pace I can see him causing havoc.

      Banega is definitely a good shout, was one of Valencia’s best players last term

  5. PIP says:

    Rooney is an excellent player but he wants to leave so let him. United need creativity at pace. Our midfield is becoming more and more stagnant. I like Suarez because he is 2 footed and has the confidence to take players on. He is however a wide player and what we need most is a better balance in the midfield. We have an abundance of ‘decent’ players but we need invention. Players who will carry the ball forward not just pass sideways as witnessed on wednesday with Carrick and Fletcher.

  6. Rohit says:

    @chudi

    i know sanchez is an explosive menace, his dribbling has to among the best..He also has a fine first touch and an eye for a goal..If he can play in the hole then iam fine with it..

    Also what is your take on dzsudzsak..

    • Chudi Onwuazor says:

      I don’t play football manager and all that so blogging about players I don’t know of seems pointless to me unlike others. I have seen bits and bobs of him but not enough to type about but what I have seen he looks OK.

      I’m going to take your word and make an effort to watch him and my write something on him in a month or two, in essence you have become a scout for The Busby Way, I hope you’ve brought me a gem haha!

  7. Rohit says:

    I too don’t have any relations with football manager nor do i take youtube as a source of inspiration..
    I had him covered for the most part of last season, but i have only seen a handful of his games in this season..He’s impressed me reasonably well, a bit lax on tracking back and a tad selfish at times, also will surely require time to settle into the pl..I really hope i have not disappointed you with my choice..

  8. Rohit says:

    @chudi

    I too don’t have any relations with football manager nor do i take youtube as a source of inspiration..
    I had him covered for the most part of last season, but i have only seen a handful of his games in this season..He’s impressed me reasonably well, a bit lax on tracking back and a tad selfish at times, also will surely require time to settle into the pl..I really hope i have not disappointed you with my choice..

    • Chudi Onwuazor says:

      Oh I see how that reads, I didn’t mean you do the football manager thing!

      I know loads of people that operate on the premise if he is good in FM he must be good in real life!

      I have a friend that has foreign satelitte so I’ll try catch as many games of his as possible and ESPN show Erdivisie games so I’ll be able to see him. Great as the first game I’ll be seeing is him against Feyenoord!

  9. Rohit says:

    Cheers mate, i was merely clearing my side..