While the media continues to speculate about Manchester United’s summer signings few have so far included Atletico Madrid defender Miranda on their list.
The 29-year-old joined Atletico Madrid in 2009 from Sao Paolo and has scored nine goals in his time in La Liga. He is regarded as a very attacking centre back who offers genuine goal threat and aerial prowess from set pieces. Reports on Wednesday suggested that he is on his way to Manchester United who have agreed to pay his £24m (30m Euro) release clause. The Daily Mail says:
Manchester United are already making moves to bolster their defensive options by triggering a £24million release clause for Atletico Madrid’s Miranda.
The 29-year-old centre-half played in the Champions League final extra time defeat against city rivals Real in Lisbon on Saturday.
Miranda was a mainstay for Diego Simeone’s La Liga champions last season and is set to link-up with Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford after being offered a four-year deal.
The reports have reportedly since been ‘scotched’ by Manchester United. But we regularly say that there is seldom smoke without fire in football transfer speculation.
Miranda has played seven times for Brazil so although he has made the breakthrough he is not seen as a stalwart for his national side. Nor has he been selected for the World Cup squad. Though he has been named as one of Brazil’s seven standby players for the squad. Obviously there is no shame in that considering the usual strength of the South American side.
But when you look at all these facts you have to say that it does seem like a lot of money for someone who is nearly 30 years of age and possibly only has three years left at the top. With Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic leaving the club this summer a massive vacuum has been created. But are these desperate measures?
If he was coming in for £10 million you could completely understand it but at, 24 million quid, Manchester United would be taking a big chunk out of their transfer kitty for a player who is unlikely to improve.
That said, if he helps to tighten a Manchester United defence which gave away so many soft goals last season, perhaps it will turn out to be a decent medium term move.
Let’s take a look at the lad scoring a winner against Real Madrid. Manchester United fans do you think this is a lot of money to pay for a 29-year-old who isn’t regarded as an international regular?
