Many to most of us have heard the news that Hoffenheim and Brazil attacking midfielder Roberto Firmino will be on his way to England this summer. According to his agent, the 23 year old will move to The Premier League, with Manchester United said to be one of his biggest admirers. His agent said on Monday:
“All I can say is that he will move to England,” Roger Wittmann said.
And it’s easy to see why there is such media attention with this one. Becasue Firmino is a real gem – a player who has forced his way into the Brazil set up since the World Cup debacle and looks set for a long stay.
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal loves his players to be flexible and Firmino has the talent to play in any of the front 6 positions. But he looks like a natural number 10 to us – someone who makes things happen and scores goals – his talent surely needs to be employed through the centre.
Manchester United star Juan Mata may feel like he has earned a chance to play number 10 for the club after some good displays on the right wing last season. But, worringly for Mata, Firmino looks more dynamic, mobile and powerful than the Spaniard. If Manchester United do sign Firmino we wouldn’t be completely shocked to see Mata depart Old Trafford this summer.
With the current squad plus Firmino, Manchester United could play a really dangerous 4-2-3-1 with Firmino in behind Wayne Rooney and the pace of Memphis and Di Maria down the flanks.
Here is a possible XI for Manchester United with the excellent Brazilian in the starting line up. Manchester United fans: better than the current eleven?
Imran
Jun 15, 2015 at 11:01 pm
First of all start by spelling ‘because’ correctly. Secondly Juan Mata will not be sold after his fine displays last season, if it was not for De Gea, i will have Mata as one of three favourites for our player of the season. As far as your team is concerned: Lvg is openly chasing a defensive midfield operator after Michael Carrick’s injury problems last season, how you have fail to add at least one out of Gundogan, Schneiderlin or Schweinstiger really baffles me and makes me question your footballing knowledge. Also, it is well documented that United are in the market for a world class centre-back, and we have been heavily linked to the likes of Hummel’s, Otamendi and Varane but, yet again you have surprised me and i believe many others by not adding at least one of the above centre-backs. It is also well published that United could be in the market for a striker after not buying Falcao and rumours that Van Persie and Hernandez could be shown the doors at Old Trafford. We have been linked to Benzema, Muller and recently Harry Kane, but you again have amazed me by not even mentioning the possibility. Finally, you have Begovic between the posts when it’s clear that Lloris is favourite to replace De Gea if he sadly moves on. I think you need to first learn how to spell ‘because’ before commentating on Manchester United!
gujahar
Jun 16, 2015 at 9:22 am
Comment:nice observation
sadiq
Jun 16, 2015 at 11:02 am
lovely observation. i was actually surprised when those names were not mentioned.
Chigex
Jun 16, 2015 at 12:23 am
Comment:I don’t really think that u are a United fan,because i was short of words when i saw your lineup.Imagine Begovic,Smalling,Shaw,Carrick and even Firmino all these players where seen there,whereas Van Gaal is desperate in signing a world class central defender such as Hummels,Ramos or even Otamendi yet u included Smalling,so if Van Gaal finally signs a world class centre back he will then stay at the bench right?.I was even marvelled when i saw Carrick in the list,whereas Van Gaal is bargaining on some defensive midfield options like Schneiderlin,Gundogan,Nainngolan,Kundogba and even Schewenstieger,so where will one of these guys play,am really not impressed with this your lineup.Another place is the goal post,were u put Begovic not minding that Hugo Lloris is our favourite target for the replacement of De Gea.Finally u put Firmino forgetting that we have recently bid for Harry Kane as a replacement to Van Persie whose future is uncertain at old trafford. Just think reasonably before ulterring some fake news ok.
Ademola Ajibola
Jun 16, 2015 at 10:30 am
Man utd shud pls sign beta players dat can win Ep&Ucl so help us God
TG
Jun 16, 2015 at 10:32 am
People, this is one article with one persons opinion…he doesn’t have to be a united fan. I agree to some extent- it looks like Mata may struggle to get in the team assuming these transfers do happen. Also you have failed to mention a number of other targets we are supposed to be signing which will likely not happen. Let the author have a bit of fun with the article!
Olosan
Jun 16, 2015 at 11:40 am
Comment:we need a profesionnal player who we win
Otieno
Jun 16, 2015 at 11:52 am
personally , i have been pleased and left in the world of dilemma at the same time! the signing of Delay is what pleases most but the question is: ” will LVG sign an experienced centre- back player (e.g Otamendi or Hummels among others) or these or just rumors?” we (fans) will be very happy to see our defence being worked on first before anything else! last season there was a big “loophole” in our squad left by Vidic & Rio, the loophole is still there! moreover , De Gea is also leaving! De Gea acted as the bedrock of our defence last season .we are politely urging the manager to work on the defensive area first ! no team can won the title of any tournament with poor defensive area ! will be happy to play with the likes of Otamendi , Varane or Hummel in our squad coming next season!
kleanbone
Jun 16, 2015 at 1:41 pm
Nice startin xi… LVP pls sign more players
hussaini haruna
Jun 16, 2015 at 3:44 pm
Comment: pls, buy better plyrs 4 us Louis van ga
l
Odong Jean Marie
Jun 16, 2015 at 3:58 pm
Comment: I don’t see us landing a world class Centre forward before September 2nd with the possible acquisition of Firmino. The duo of Angel di maria and Roberto Firmino can create enough chances for Wayne Rooney, a rejuvenated Robin Van Persie and Depay to score bags of goals. Depay di maria Firmino and Rooney would lead our attack in a 4-4-3 or 4-4-2 system with Young Fellaini{if moved from midfield} Nani Januzaj Perreira and Henriquez waiting patiently for an opportunity when form issues break in. Van Persie can depart to get the starting place he is craving for. May be we shall buy a young developed forward like Benteke (alongside Angelo Henriquez) to challenge for goals in case of fitness issues with our starters and to offer more in squad depth especially with our return to the over 60 games a season days.
our team
GK_ de Gea(my prayer)
DEF_Clyne Rafael Smalling Jones Rojo Otamendi Shaw
CM_ Carrick Gundogan Shneiderlin Herrera
‘other’ FORWARDS_ di maria Depay Firmino Young Nani
Centre FORWARD_ Rooney Benteke Henriquez ‘RvP’
Naph
Jun 16, 2015 at 5:37 pm
Comment:Let van gaal to sign atleast two defenders.
Stevesetim
Jun 16, 2015 at 5:42 pm
Comment: manchester united u r doing a mistake by offloading spanish international JUAN MATA he is the best in man utd n yet u r selling him ask liverpool what he did them Mourihno jst open up ur mind n bring back Juan Mata i have alot of cönfindence in juan mata….
krest
Jun 16, 2015 at 6:04 pm
the ideal line up should look like this
GK: Lloris/
RB: Clyne/Valencia
CB: Smalling/ Otamendi/Jones/Rojo
LB: Shaw/ Blind
CM: Carrick Gundogan Shneiderlin Herrera
Attacking midfield: Depay, Di Maria, Young, De Bruyne, Mata
CF: Rooney, Benzema, Wilson, Chicharito
Out to balance the books: De Gea,Evans, Rafael, Feilaini, Cleverly, Nani, Falcao, RVP
Despite Mata creating and scoring goals, I’m still no convinced of his work rate and ability to survive in typically hard premiership games. He is best suited for the Spanish league and whenever there is pressure on him he either loses the ball or plays it back which is not the ideal philosophy going forward. Maybe Firmino could be a decent alternative
Excellent Larry A
Jun 16, 2015 at 6:16 pm
We need a good box to box man to support Carrick, as he getting old. We need epl & cl trophies badly.
aarian
Jun 16, 2015 at 7:26 pm
its best to what every supporter of man utd can be delightful
Ipaso
Jun 16, 2015 at 8:43 pm
Van gaal we nee d atleasrt 2 defensive guys who will better in man u :
Quinton Cash
Jun 16, 2015 at 9:32 pm
Manchester UNited need to sign more African players. These guys are powerful and will clean up the midfield (Wanyama). Emmanuel Emenike is a goal hungry beast of a strker. And then get some Kenyan for the fullback position also, they will bring unlimited speed and stamina to the wing play (Usain Bolt). For keeper we can take Enyeama or Kameni if the Lloris or the rest players is not want to coming to the thetres of dreamzzsss.
okuro godfrey.
Jun 17, 2015 at 12:04 am
Comment:ManU should get schneiderlin and alex song As two defensive midfielders with song coming from the bench.that will upgrade Man U with anathaniel clyne as right back.
Bill
Jun 17, 2015 at 10:08 am
Hugo Llioris
Clyne. Otamendi. Rojo. Blind
Herrerra. Gundugan.
di Maria Depay
Flamino
Rooney
4_5_1 FORMATION
Trevor
Jun 17, 2015 at 1:30 pm
A decent team apart from the keeper.
Valdes is a lot better keeper and keep DeGea for another season on the bench as a number two