“Just throw some money at it…” – Fixing a problem the Manchester United Way

This transfer window proved an interesting caper for the red side for Manchester, as their onfield results continued to underwhelm in an eerily similar fashion to last season’s failed David Moyes experiment, new manager and purported saviour Louis Van Gaal adopted a problem solving method never before seen in the hallowed halls of Manchester United Football Club… “Just throw some money at it.” On paper, United’s window as a whole is flawless, they have brought in some truly world class talent, I don’t think anyone is really arguing that the likes of Angel Di Maria and Falcao can improve the squad of any football club. However, in United’s case they have had a window wherein they have employed Real Madrid’s tactics of generally ignoring the areas of their squad which actually needed strengthening and instead purchased a couple of supposed ‘galacticos.’

Analysing United’s squad at the beginning of the season and indeed watching them play last season yielded the knowledge that reinforcements were in fact needed, and following the departures of Patrice Evra, Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand over the summer defence should always have been the priority. They began on the right track with the purchase of Luke Shaw, a now 19 year old left back with undoubted potential to become the Premier League’s best in his position, however paying 30 million pounds for a player of this age and inexperience is a seriously risky proposition. As the window progressed, United did manage to strengthen their defence further, with the acquisitions of World Cup Finalist Marcos Rojo and Netherlands International Daley Blind. I would perhaps suggest that Van Gaal had forgotten about the signing of Shaw and felt he still needed to plug the gap left by the departures of Patrice Evra and Alex Buttner and thus signed two more! Otherwise there is simply no logic behind spending over 50 million pounds on left backs in one window… especially when you have been sending your team out in 3-5-2! Judging on the beginning few matches this season, albeit without these three signings, United will struggle to fill a sizable gap at centre back this season, and depending on Jonny Evans certainly won’t get them anywhere… although it does seem as though Van Gaal will have to shelve his beloved 3-5-2 for now in lieu of a formation where he can field perhaps field one or even two of his three new left backs!

United have been aware of the need for midfield reinforcements since the Sir Alex Ferguson era, Moyes attempted to plug the hole with vastly overpriced Marouane Fellaini and we all know how that wen, Van Gaal seems to have fared slightly better signing Ander Herrera and Angel Di Maria for a combined total of 88 million pounds. However, whilst Di Maria is undoubtedly world class, he occupies a position (Left Wing/Midfield) in which United already possess the likes of Juan Mata, Ashley Young, Adnan Januzaj and until recently Danny Welbeck and spending 59 million pounds in a position your squad does not really need to strengthen cannot exactly be considered smart business. In Herrera’s case I believe he is a signing United truly needed, their squad has been crying out for a midfielder who will control position and will dictate play for a few seasons now and I believe they have finally found one. A look at their current squad shows that they continue to be light in central midfield, boasting 5 central midfielders, namely Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher, Anderson, Herrera and Fellaini, however many of whom United fans would not trust to ply their trade in the first team following their recent showings.

Up front United have never had a problem, last season Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney managed 12 goals in 21 games and 17 goals in 29 games respectively, an unbelievably efficient return, and they were ably supported by Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez. However, both have since departed the club, to Arsenal and Real Madrid respectively, and United have welcomed the addition of Monaco striker Radamel Falcao on a season long loan to a star-studded forward line. United now boast three world class strikers, but it will take some brilliant man management skills from Van Gaal to get the best out of all thee. Falcao is a signing that will be judged on one thing; goals. Van Gaal has taken a big gamble on the Colombian who has a history of injuries and the Dutchman, alongside anyone who affiliates themselves with the Red Devils, will be hoping that he can stay fit, adapt to the English game and deliver for the 20 times premier league winners.

Essentially, this United team has been bolstered on paper through the tenacious, cashed-up approach of Louis Van Gaal and Ed Woodward, but what will really matter in the end is the ability of Van Gaal to get the best out of his playing group and the speed at which he manages to do so. Expect United to start slow but come home strong. Hang in there United fans, there are better times ahead.

That’s the Rosey Wrap on Manchester United’s transfer window,

Thanks for reading,

Jake Rosengarten

Window-Shopping: Potential Premier League signings who could set the Premier League alight if given a change of scenery this January

Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez are two examples of players who excelled after arriving in the Premier League in January

As the Gregorian calendar begins anew so too does the mass hysteria which greets each and every Premier League club as fans and management alike ponder who can improve the playing rosters of their beloved clubs. The January transfer window is a time for clubs to evaluate their starts to the season, determine who is pulling their weight and who isn’t, who has earned their money and who will be deemed surplus to requirements, but most of all, it is a time where fans and pundits argue endlessly as to who should be signed to fix that problem area. Newspapers spurt out a seemingly uninterrupted stream of mostly nonsensical rumours which help to further fuel speculation as to who will arrive at and depart from Europe’s top clubs. As players do eventually join, the question must be asked, who will succeed and who will fail?

The following players have all been linked in some capacity to one of the Premier League’s 20 teams and all have the ability to become an immediate success at whichever club they arrive.

Juan Mata

Chelsea’s player of the year for the past two consecutive seasons has cut a forlorn figure on the many benches of grounds around the Premier League. Mata has gone from one of the league’s most electric playmakers to one of its most expensive seat-fillers in the space of less than a season. Simply put, Jose Mourinho clearly failed to view a single Chelsea game in the previous two seasons to returning to Stamford Bridge from Real Madrid. For if he had, Mata would be occupying a spot atop the assist chart alongside Mesut Ozil rather than a seat on the sidelines. There is no doubt that clubs such as Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool would be monitoring Mata’s situation at Chelsea, licking their lips at the thought of the Spaniard joining their ranks in January. Rest assured, if a move for Mata materialises for any of these clubs he will return to his devastating best and Mourinho will be left ruing the day he let the diminutive world cup winning winger leave the books of Chelsea.

Chelsea fans are well aware of what Mata can offer when given a bit of playing time.

Tom Ince

Ex-Liverpool academy player Ince was heavily linked with a return to Anfield in August but no move materialised. As a result, he continued to ply his trade with Blackpool in the Championship, displaying the type of skill, pace and determination which could make him a fruitful move for a Premier League club in January. As of late, he has been linked with moves to Swansea, Crystal Palace, Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool and Everton, the majority of which is pure speculation on the part of tabloids aiming to coax unsuspecting readers into believing drivel in order to boost sales. However, if a move for Ince foes eventually come to fruition he could be money well spent as his playing style is sure to contribute goals and/or assists for whomever acquires his services.

Wilfried Zaha

When Zaha arrived at Manchester United at the beginning of this season he was fresh off leading Crystal Palace to promotion from the Championship and was considered by many as one of the brightest talents in England. However, his opportunities with the Red Devils have been almost non-existent and like Mata he has spent much of this season on bench, if even picked for that honour by David Moyes. Zaha is the kind of player fans love and opposition teams hate, a tricky winger with bags of pace who is not afraid to take a player on. If sent out on loan by United he could make all the difference for a side looking to avoid relegation. The perfect signing for a side like Fulham or Crystal Palace who lack a cutting edge. If he does leave United, the Premier League will soon take note of his immense talent.

That is the Rosey Wrap on the English stars who would benefit from a January move,

Thanks for reading,

By Jake Rosengarten