Now that Louis van Gaal has had a proper period to assess the vast majority of his current playing squad we expect some quick decisions about who stays and who goes.
With the Manchester United squad now home, after the America tour LvG will speak to his players individually so that, if necessary, they can make arrangements for moves way from the club.
The Independent reports today that bids are imminent for two players whose futures are uncertain.
Manchester United are expecting Atletico Madrid to make a move this week for the out-of-favour duo Shinji Kagawa and Javier Hernandez.
While we believe that most of Louis’s decisions about his squad are straightforward these two will provide the most soul searching for the Dutchman. Both have flickered very brightly at times during their Old Trafford careers but both have been pushed to the peripheries of the squad of late.
Tasked with the decision, soccersweep would keep both. Chicharito offers the sort of pace that Manchester United aren’t currently blessed with. He’s also a different type of player to Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck. He’s a fox in the box who is awesome off the bench.
As for Shinji, it appears that Rooney and RvP will occupy the centre forward roles this season, with Mata in the number 10 role. Unless LvG is planing to use Adnan Januzaj as his main number 10 backup then Kagawa would prove excellent cover for the Spaniard.
So, while we think both should be retained, we could easily imagine Kagawa and Hernandez at new clubs come the start of the season. And the buying club, or clubs, would be getting excellent players.
Let’s remind ourselves of the quality of Kagawa. Manchester United fans: should these two stay or go?
Andrew Mwale
Aug 5, 2014 at 5:16 pm
It depends on how well they’ll cope in the new system. We need stern competition for positions if we are to get back to the top four
Spanish Red
Aug 5, 2014 at 5:16 pm
Thankfully, Soccersweep hasn’t been tasked with the decision. I do, however, agree with you on Hernandez. I would keep him and get rid of Welbeck, who is nothing more than a willing runner who scores a goal every blue moon.
Along with the usual suspects and Smalling and Young there would be about seven departures this window.
If that can be countered with another two or three arrivals then the squad would be trim enough for a serious title tilt. We can always add more next summer after qualifying for the Champions league.
Peter
Aug 6, 2014 at 5:47 pm
I would have thought Nani would be better to go rather than Hernandez. What I saw of Nani though little used in America, was the same as always. It’s a shame such talent has gone astray these past few years but he has not learnt how to cope in the Premiership ever since coming to United.