Each summer sees a few favoured names who pop up in relation to potential transfers for dozens of clubs.
This summer looks as if it could be one punctuated by news of a potential transfer for the brilliant French striker Karim Benzema. The Manchester Evening News reports Friday:
Manchester United are facing a battle for Karim Benzema, with Arsenal given the go-ahead to sign the Real Madrid striker.
Spanish paper AS claim the Frenchman will be allowed to leave the Bernabeu to free up funds to sign Paul Pogba and Sergio Aguero.
Benzema is also on Louis van Gaal’s radar, who is keen to sign a world class forward this summer.
He’s kept his place in the Madrid starting eleven for 6 seasons – not many players do that. And he’s bagged a superb 214 goals in 449 games in his top level career, as well as hitting 25 in 77 for France. This is very much a world class striker at the peak of his powers.
But, while he would walk into most teams in the world, do Manchester United really need him?
Louis van Gaal will obviously continue to play Wayne Rooney whenever fit but it has been generally agreed that he is at his best in attack. So Benzema’s arrival would surely necessitate a change in formation, from the 4-3-3 which was used so often in the second half of last campaign.
With neither Benzema or Rooney particularly keen to play out wide, Manchester United could go with a 4-2-3-1 and play Rooney in behind Karim in a very dangerous looking formation.
But if Roberto Firmino comes in, perhaps Louis will give the 4-4-2 another try, with both the strikers up top and Firmino in behind.
But he tends not to like this formation too much. So, the 3-5-2 anyone?
Manchester United need more strikers but Benzema may not prove to be the right man at the right time for Louis van Gaal. United fans: should the club push the boat out to sign Benzema?
