3 done? A look at United’s potential summer signings
If we had not played the attacking 4-4-2, we would have probably not seen that type of meltdown in our team’s engine room but it is hoped that this has lit a fire in the pit of Sir Alex Ferguson’s stomach that will mean an exciting summer transfer wise.
Before we look at our potential players and the players that I would like, I will show you the players that we are purported to have signed and how they will impact the club and our future signings.
David De Gea
De Gea maybe behind Reina and Victor Valdes right now but it is already being stated that he could be the long term replacement of the Real Madrid goalkeeper, Iker Casillas in the national team.
At the age of 20, he has drawn comparisons with the recently retired Edwin Van Der Sar due to his height, reflexes, composure and his experience having played and won a Europa League and Super Cup medal at his tender age. As he will be coming to Old Trafford to effectively replace the Flying Dutchman, it means that time has finally run out for the second-choice goalkeeper, Tomas Kuszack.
Anders Lindegaard has come in and is likely to be a part of the team and therefore allows our young English goalkeeper, Ben Amos to slot in as the third-choice goalkeeper.
Raphael Varane
The Lille-born centre-back was subject to increasing interest from Arsenal and Manchester United but our deal to sign him is very much in the same category as De Gea. He is exceptionally tall for an 18 year old at 6ft 3in with an athletic build but also quite agile with electric pace.
This has been his first season with Lille’s first team and was thrust in at the deep end on the 10th November 2010 when he made his professionally début for the club. What has caught the eye of both English clubs is his tactical and technical ability, something that the club’s youth coach has often commended him for. Although he is known to play as CB, he is very versatile and can play as a defensive midfielder and at a push as full-back, definitely a snip – €5m (£3.7m)
Ashley Young
He has been receiving praise from all corners of the English media for his performances at International level, however, he has been powerless to help Aston Villa, who despite making an inside sprint to finish 9th, spent much of the season near the relegation trap door.
Rumours have all but confirmed that he will be wearing the famed colours of United next season after his versatility, pace, crossing ability and set-pieces took him to Birmingham after showing promise as a Watford first-teamer. The problem with this signing is that he is a buy where he adds quality to the squad but not the first XI.
Nani can do what he does and better, Valencia and Park have different dimensions to their game which allows them to start the big games for Manchester United and Giggs can fill in at his more comfortable left-midfield.
This leaves Young in lurch as he is already passed the age where he can be classed as developmental thus he has to start performing consistently on a bigger stage, which I have for one have criticised him for. To get to the top, we have to start signing players who are going to push for the starting places, who are going to add a different dimension to our squad and who have a unique ability which isn’t found in players we already have.
These three signings show one for the right now/future, one that can grow into a great player and one to add depth to our squad. These matters aren’t what is most pressing at the moment. The best signing of the three for me is De Gea and that’s only because the situation has been forced on us by the retiring of the great Van Der Sar.
According to David Gill, we are in for a much busier summer than usual. Last season we signed three players and this summer we have already been linked with three so I assume there will be more on their way on top of these 3.
This piece is taken from new United blog ‘Expertise On United‘