It doesn’t take Ziggy from Quantum Leap to tell you that, if Manchester United do sign anyone in the winter window, there is a 95% chance that it will be a defensive-minded player.
While the forward line may never have looked quite this good (an honourable nod in the direction of Ronnie, Tevez and a younger, more explosive Wazza) the defence has been shredded way too much for the fans’ liking.
The sturdy looking Kevin Strootman may be brought in to shield the back five. But, other than that, it’s all about defenders. Good ones. Lots of em.
Louis van Gaal has illustrated already that will only spend money when top quality is available. He’s not going to plug holes with short term signings. The question is whether he would put the following two into the highest category.
The Guardian opines:
It has taken seven games for Louis van Gaal to realise Manchester United’s defence aren’t up to scratch, so he has entrusted Ángel di María to persuade Fábio Coentrão to follow him from the Madrid sunshine to the freezing cold and wet of the north-west in January. Better still for Van Gaal, Gerard Piqué could return from Barcelona…
Coentrao seemed a likely arrival under David Moyes. While he’s got the sort of cavalier attitude that Manchester United fans love, we aren’t sure that Van Gaal would want to buy a player who isn’t getting a game at a club not noted for its watertight defence. We also believe that the left flank is particularly well covered and, given time, will be solid.
As for Pique, he didn’t make the grade at Manchester United first time around but went on to flourish at Barcelona. He too is currently of out of his side, with a new signing (Mathieu) and a midfielder (Mascherano) being preferred at the back. Pique is a very composed player with great technique and excellent distribution. While he may struggle with the pace and physicality of The Prem it’s that distributional virtue that may ‘pique’ the interest of Van Gaal, if you will pardon the pun.
Manchester United haven’t been passing the ball well out of defence since the imperious Rio left and Pique may just fill that gap.
Let’s see him in action. United fans: keen?
