The speculation started a good six months ago and respected broadsheets now see fit to suggest that Manchester United have all but completed the signing of the 24 year old Benfica playmaker Nicolas Gaitan. The Telegraph yesterday opined:
‘Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign the Benfica midfielder Nicolás Gaitán with both Fabio da Silva and Federico Macheda moving to the Portuguese club as part of the terms.’
Manchester United have had mixed fortunes with Argentinian signings. Veron, Heinze and Tevez each flickered brightly but, for different reasons, none could be described as an overwhelming success.
But Sir Alex apparently thinks that this one is a dead cert. A natural left footer, Gaitan can play down the middle but also regularly turns out for Benfica as a wide man. Manchester United fans will probably hope that this is the position that he will eventually make his own and that the signing of Gaitan doesn’t mean that Fergie has gone cold on Lille’s Eden Hazard.
Though Hazard also regularly plays as a wide man, many think that he will eventually become a central midfielder. If Hazard gets close to fulfilling his potential he will simply be too important a player to be left out on the wing. Personally, I see him as the perfect successor to Paul Scholes.
Many still fancy Ashley Young, but a midfield of Gaitan, Hazard, Carrick and Valencia will leave many at Old Trafford licking their lips about the return to the days of an all-conquering, dazzling midfield in the image of Giggs, Keane, Scholes and Beckham.
So, whilst the signing of Gaitan has excited the fans, they will hope that it is soon followed up with a bid for Eden Hazard. Then the future will once more look exceedingly bright for United’s midfield.
