Like the old master Sir Alex Ferguson, Louis van Gaal seems to us to be the maestro of the sound bite.
In his latest news conference he was typically direct and open about his needs, without going into the sort of detail that we are all desperate for this summer.
As well as confirming that he is in the market for another striker, Van Gaal spoke about the defensive situation and suggested that, despite the apparent stand off between Manchester United and Real Madrid regarding David de Gea and Sergio Ramos, a move for the 29 year old centre back could still be on. When asked about the Spain international he first refused to comment:
“I cannot talk about these rumours.
But, perhaps in a guarded address to the player himself, he continued:
I have said already it’s a process and maybe Mr Ramos is in the process you never know.”
Manchester United’s transfer policy has gone off the Richter scale over the last two years with £228m spent on 10 players and no end in sight to the arrivals.
United have acquired Bastian Schweinsteiger and are seriously pursuing Spain’s talisman Ramos. The 29 year old had been agitating for a move after a contract dispute.
But perhaps the arrival of the amenable Rafa Benitez has gone some way to restoring harmony between the player and a club which seems desperate to hold on to him, despite not meeting the player’s contract demands.
It’s still a difficult situation and a big ask for Manchester United to sign the lad.
But money won’t be the issue if Manchester United do fail to bring Ramos to the club.
Let’s see him in action. Manchester United fans: can you imagine Ramos in United red next season?
