The Manchester United defence has of course been terrible at times this season and last. But you have to offset this, to a degree, by the fact that they have had so much to do.
In years gone by, the Manchester United defence could jog through games as their colleagues further forward toyed with the opposition like a cat with a trapped and increasingly groggy mouse.
But Manchester United haven’t been spending anywhere near as much time in the opposition half this year. Even when they have possession, much of it is in their own half, as the defenders pass between themselves.
Perhaps the problem is Manchester United’s midfield. They have anchor men who can carry water like Blind and physical types like Fellaini. They also have attacking midfielders/forwards like Mata and Rooney, who like to be on the end of things.
But they still lack a really creative type in the middle. Herrera may be part of the solution. But we believe, more than ever, that Manchester United needs an attacking midfielder who can run with the ball at the opposition defence. Someone whose forte is to carry the ball up the park and cause direct, serious problems to the opponent.
Yaya Toure is a wonderful example. So often the opponent expects him to pass wide or to a striker, so they back off and allow him to target the heart of the defence himself. It pulls players out of position and leaves other City men free.
Toure is one of a kind – amongst the top 3 midfielders we have seen in The Premier League – but Manchester United should be looking for a player of his type. We think that Porto man Yacine Brahimi could be the perfect choice.
In short, he’s a dribbler who commits players by carrying the ball forward at pace. He can do a job out wide but he’s best placed through the middle where he causes absolute havoc and scores regularly.
At 25 he’s coming into his prime and, after just a year at Porto, could well move on again this summer as various clubs have been credited with an interest.
Manchester United need another centre back and a right winger. But possibly the most important signing is a dynamic central midfielder who can run at the opposition WITH THE BALL.
Let’s see Brahimi in action. United fans: do you like what you see?
Frank
Feb 13, 2015 at 8:41 pm
Brahimi is a great player willing to but utd infact let me no say any abt it cus am tired of utd feature