The silly season has started for Manchester United way ahead of schedule as the job of bringing the team back to the boil begins. Two of the most regularly linked players have once again popped up in the headlines.
Manchester United are lining up a sensational £50million (60.5m Euro) double swoop on Southampton for their star duo Adam Lallana and Luke Shaw.
After a poor first season at the helm, United boss David Moyes will look to significantly reshape his squad this summer and the Saints pair are high on his shopping list.
So do we think they are worth the money?
Luke Shaw – The answer has to be yes. Whatever the cost. He seems to have a lot of suitors and this will elevate the fee. But it’s clear why Shaw has drawn so much interest. He’s not only a superb player for 18, with composure, great delivery from out wide and a man’s physique – but he’s also English.
We all know how England’s elite clubs covet homegrown talent and that pushes the price up further still. Chelsea need a long term left back solution and so do Manchester United. Manchester City have the 28 year old Gael Clichy playing well but could also be seriously keen on Shaw.
So we are looking at upwards of £30m for his signature. But when you identify a player of this quality who can give you 12 years of service – 12 years of not having to find a replacement – then the lad has to be worth his weight in diamonds. Unless injury befalls the brilliant youngster you just can’t imagine him being at Southampton come September.
Adam Lallana – He would cost around 20m Euros tops. But we are less convinced that Lallana can make a difference at the very top level. He’s had a great season and seems so comfortable on the ball – unusually so for an Englishman. But we just get the sense that, at a really big club, Lallana could end up as a decent squad player rather than someone who could seriously contend the title of ‘star turn’.
He’s a lovely player but there is always the risk that he won’t make the transition to an elite club smoothly. We would also suggest that his best position is floating around behind the front man. But Manchester United are struggling to fit all their number tens into the side already.
Manchester United fans – is Lallana a Manchester United player?
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