Tuesday 20 May 2014

Manchester United's Transfer Targets



              Team Manchester United should look at building for next season:
             Januzaj        Van Persie         Alexis
                   Rooney                 Mata                
                                 Martinez
Shaw         Benatia         Jones            Rafael
                           De Gea



With a season's end that is black and white contrasted to last years end where they lifted the Premier League Trophy, Manchester United have gone from being the noisy neighbours to the ones that phone the police when irritated by the noise of their Sky Blue neighbours. Last season saw the unfamiliar sight of a Fergie-less touchline at Old Trafford, instead it was graced by another Scotsman who never fitted the billing and a team legend. Now with the season over and United eager to start work with Louis Van Gaal, the problems that floated around Old Trafford like litter in the ocean have to be cleaned out, with a fresh start to the season having to be the main priority.
The question of the moment for United is who should they bring in to create dreams again at the Theatre that is Old Trafford. With no invite to the exclusive European feast known as the Champions League to attract players next season, it may be hard for the Red Devils to convince players to join, but their history and rebuilding project should still attract the best-of-the-best. Here are the players Manchester United should target with their supposed war chest of 200 million pounds.

Luke Shaw:
The hottest property in England right now, Luke Shaw has earned that label by being an important cog in the machine that is Southampton. The 18 year old has caught the eye of the English giants as well as other clubs including neighbours Manchester City and Chelsea. Shaw has received praise for his attacking threat down the left touchline and being sound defensively. The Englishman would add a flair to the United wing with his pace, agility, crossing ability and delicate dribbling. The Southampton number 23 is also not afraid to take defenders on, using his quick switch of pace to accelerate away, a true menace to defences. The Left back in the PFA Team of the season's defensive side is also sound for someone of his age and experience, having good timing for challenges and isn't afraid to take on bigger men.  The attacking instinct and defensive sense would make the Southampton star shine bright in the Theatre of Dreams.








Mehdi Benatia:
One of the cornerstones of the Roma team that was been a surprise package last season in Serie A, Morocco International Mehdi Benatia is one of the most wanted defenders in Europe right now. The Roma Center back was the warden of the jail that was the Roma defence,  having applied lock-down to many sides last campaign. There are various attributes that have made Benatia a rock at the back for his side. The Moroccan has great strength which he uses to out muscle attackers and applies it to make powerful challenges. Benatia is a very good reader of the game, reading plays like a book. He uses this god-given ability to make crucial interceptions and knowledge of when to make a challenge on an attacker. Another attribute that makes the Moroccan special is that he is also good with the ball at his feet, as he is able to dodge tackles and charge down the middle of the park like a rhinoceros. With the departure of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, Medhi Benatia is very much needed at Manchester United, and would be a great addition to the twenty time English champions.




Javi Martinez:
The forgotten man last term for Bayern Munich, Javi Martinez's defensive midfield role acts as armour to the back four, an area that left flesh exposed last season at United. The Spaniard last season was rarely used by Pep Guardiola, making just 14 starts for the Bavarians in the Bundesliga.  Martinez's importance to Bayern Munich was reflected in the 4-0 demolition Real Madrid gave Bayern in the Champions League Semi-Final at the Allianz, as it seemed there was a black hole in the middle of the park, no one to stop the Real Madrid counter attacks. Javi Martinez is also versatile, able to play as a center back or holding midfielder, with his strengths being his timing and reading of the game. The Spaniard is best deployed though as a screener in front of the back four where he exerts these qualities, and where under Jupp Heynckes in the treble winning season he broke down many plays through crucial interceptions and tackles. In a position that was weak last season for Manchester United, Javi Martinez would be a perfect addition to the team, being an important piece of the jigsaw puzzle. His ability to sit in front of the back four and protect them as well as being able to play there himself would make him a great signing for the Red Devils, adding depth to a thin midfield and defence.





Alexis Sanchez:
Wanted when he was the Catalyst of Udinese, the Serie A Player of the Season resisted the temptation of playing in the famous red of Manchester and chose La Liga giant Barcelona, but it has been a rocky road.  Although the Spear-head of the Chile team enjoyed his best season in the famous red and blue under Gerardo Martino, Alexis had been reverted to the bench for the season defining games such as both Atletico Madrid ties in the Champions league, all El Classico's (Even though he came off that warm bench to score the winner in the first of the season), and both ties against Manchester City in Europe. Sanchez is an electric player who leaves players in his dust, speeding past them like the road runner. Sanchez is also a magician when in the oppositions half, producing moments of magic like his chip against Real Madrid and his goal against Atletico Madrid on the final match-day. Having scored 19 goals in 34 appearances in La Liga, 7 of those appearances off the bench, along with 10 assists, Sanchez can be the difference in a match, and that is what Manchester United look for in a player. Alexis is a player that appreciates being valued and seen as irreplaceable, and that's why if United make a strong approach for him, he could be the Romeo to the United fans Juliet.






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