We think that, despite the team facing serious criticism this season, Manchester United still have a great nucleus of players. They may not have quite as many as they used to. But they still have 7 players who would be considered shoe-ins at this point.
Ideally, David Moyes would add 4 players to his side right now – a left-back, centre-back, central midfielder and another winger. Moyes could probably do with more than one addition to the centre of midfield but, when Carrick is fit, he still gets in the dream team.
The need for a brilliant attacking midfielder is the most pressing. Some are suggesting that Moyes is about to invest in yet another defensive midfielder. We think that he needs a creator more than anything. Fellaini, Carrick and Jones can all do the holding job. What United need is a player to control the play, knit the team together, provide assists and a general air of magic to the midfield. We don’t think Atletico’s much vaunted Koke would come in January – but he would be an excellent addition.
We believe that Wesley Sneijder is more feasible option at this time. At 29 he’s fit, sharp and on top of his game. He’s exactly the midfield maestro that Manchester United lacks.
If Moyes is to persist with a loose 4-4-2 he will definitely require another winger. Guardian reporter Jamie Jackson was this week talking about the prospect of Andros Townsend making the move North. What a player he would be for The Reds. His style epitomises what United have been about over the last 20 years – he’s fast, skillful, daring and generally buccaneering. He hasn’t found a place in the Tottenham team so easy to come by of late but we still think that the club would do all they could to keep him. Nevertheless he’s be mustard for a Manchester United side with Januzaj on the other wing.
In defence Patrice Evra will eventually need replacing but he still offers much. If Luke Shaw wants a top mentor then who better than Patrice Evra – one of Manchester United’s stand out performers for the better part of a decade.
At centre-back the young, yet monolithic Eliaquim Mangala would be an excellent addition.
So here it is. The somewhat hopeful best case scenario XI for Manchester United come February.
DE GEA, RAFAEL, MANGALA, JONES, SHAW, TOWNSEND, CARRICK, SNEIJDER, JANUZAJ, ROONEY, RvP
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sam
Dec 14, 2013 at 12:42 pm
so you think that after signing only one player in the summer transfer window, moyes will sign 4 first team players in the winter one?
anders williams
Dec 14, 2013 at 2:25 pm
we’re not even linked with townsend…….i would say ribeiro for townsend, baines for shaw……
Amsterdam
Dec 14, 2013 at 4:45 pm
So you think buying players would end Man. Uniteds fall? As long as Moyes trains the players, look at the injuries and lack of form the older players have, as long as Moyes coaches, look at the lack of game plan/lack of tactic, new players would make no difference. The new players will also fall in the negative Moyes spiral. Who would advise a player to go to Man. United when his best years stil have to come?
Vic Perez
Dec 14, 2013 at 5:13 pm
Recall Nick Powell and Jesse Lingard and give them a go. You just might be surprised to know that we have answers already in house. Kagawa has the next four weeks to show us he can handle the 10 spot, mix in the kids and see what happens. Oh by the way if Kagawa can’t cut it we must move Januzaj into # 10 and let him loose. He’s going to end up there anyway so why wait. Just saying…
S
Dec 15, 2013 at 3:45 am
Agree! Recall Powell and Lingard!
Sneijder and baines would be nice though!
United has some great talents, ready to start blooming
sheddy kitum
Dec 14, 2013 at 6:19 pm
you are not serious, townsend! talk about Koke, Gundoğan, Herrera, wesley, Lowandowsky do you think win EPL is equal to drinking water!
danny
Dec 14, 2013 at 6:33 pm
For one we’re not even linked with townsend and secondly he’s completely overrated. All you idiots who think moyes is going to go on a spree ahahaha if he could just about close out one deal in three months then how on earth is he gonna sign multiple players in one month. On the 1st of feb we’ll have one new player baines and that’s it you watch.
danny
Dec 14, 2013 at 6:35 pm
Also young, welbeck, valencia and cleverley need to be off loaded they’re completley useless and bring nothing to the team.
drake
Dec 14, 2013 at 9:29 pm
LOL! Really … 4 signings … get real … one or two at best… he will not panic buy hes proved that already .. !
Touljier
Dec 15, 2013 at 10:10 am
Moyes and Woody doenst have a clue! #MoyesOutNOW !