Manchester United have had terrible trouble with injuries this season and the last thing they need is bring in any more players who are susceptible to fitness issues.
Over the summer, when Manchester United were hot on the trail of defenders, Thomas Vermaelen was one of the most strongly linked players.
He was linked with United virtually every day for a month and he seemed quite likely to go to Old Trafford before he made the switch to Barcelona.
We had always been concerned with his injury record. And even fit, he wasn’t deemed good enough for an Arsenal team that hasn’t been regarded as defensively watertight for a number of years.
Our doubts seem to have been confirmed with the unfortunate news that Vermaelen could be out for the entire season. He has yet to play a competitive game for Barcelona as niggling injuries have hindered his fitness.
But latest reports suggest that his problems have just got worse. The Mail writes:
‘We are worried for him and the medical staff are evaluating what’s best,’ said sports director Andoni Zubizarreta.
‘We don’t know if Vermaelen is now going to need surgery. We are studying the situation.’
We have always like Vermaelen as a player. He’s the sport of footballer that makes defending look sexy. He’s got great technique and a buccaneering attitude which sees him regularly bolting up the park with the ball at his feet. He also knows where the goal is and scored some beauties in The Premier League. This sort of style most certainly suits Manchester United.
But he’s had injury problems for as long as we can remember and you have to ask if it’s worth the risk. For Manchester United, the decision was perhaps taken out of their hands as Arsenal wanted to sell abroad. But it looks like a blessing right now.
