The world’s biggest club is on the eve of destruction after a unacceptable 4-nil defeat against third division club MK Dons in the League Cup on Wednesday morning.
They are lingering in the bottom half of the Premier League table, with only one point in their opening two games. They now face the three promoted teams in their next three league fixtures.
10 points after five games is essential for any hopes of Manchester United pushing for the top four this season.
By Monday morning, the transfer window will be shut. In this window United have so far signed Anders Herrera, Luke Shaw, Marco Rojo and Angel Di Maria to the grand sum of $235 million – but that isn’t enough for a team struggling for top quality in vital areas.
The following five players are examples of quality signings that Louis Van Gaal and Manchester United need to bring in for any success this season.
5 – Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa)
The Dutch defender would be an astute signing for three reason. First of all he knows Louis Van Gaal, secondly he knows how to play in a three-man defence and finally he has two seasons a Premier League experience.
He is 29, so he has the experience that United require in a youthful backline and could still offer a few seasons of good enough defending.
He is the captain of Aston Villa and the Birmingham club will not want to lose their leader with such little time left in the transfer window, but every player has their price and Vlaar’s price would surely be able to be met by the Glaziers.
Vlaar could become a United player for around $15 million.
4 – Nigel De Jong (AC Milan)
Never the prettiest player in the centre of the park, De Jong is the sort of grit the the United midfield need. The Dutchman has spent the last two seasons at AC Milan after departing from Manchester City in 2012.
At the age of 29 and with over a century of Premier League games, ‘the lawnmower’ would be a tried and tested solution to the soft core of Louis Van Gaal’s midfield.
The signing of De Jong might be greeted with jeers by some United fans, due to his affiliation with Manchester City. However that could be part of the price you pay. AC Milan brought the diminutive midfielder for $10million including bonuses and will probably settle for around $15 to 20 million.
3 – Daley Blind (Ajax)
Blind was named Dutch Footballer of the Year last season playing as a holding midfielder for Ajax as they secured their fourth consecutive title. He came to the forefront of attention as a wing back for the Netherlands at the World Cup after his pinpoint lob for Robin Van Persie’s wonder goal against Spain.
He is only 24, which is old enough to make a difference yet young enough to develop over the next few seasons. His link the Van Gaal, like the previous two, could also add to the appeal of the transfer. Ajax are a selling club and would be open to letting their star leave for around $25 million.
2 – Arturo Vidal (Juventus)
Vidal is probably the most dynamic midfielder in world football. When fit, the Chilean star has the skill set to feature in an elite midfield. Unlike De Jong, Vidal has the attacking ability to create and score goals which complements his outstanding stamina to track back and fulfil his defensive duties.
Juventus and Chile are teams that play the 3-5-2 system, which means he will already have an understanding of Van Gaal’s vision.
Top quality does not come cheap. The Italian champions signed “Il Guerriero” from Bayer Leverkusen in 2011 for a budget $15 million and United may have to add up to another $50 million to pry Vidal away from Turen.
He will also be after a significant boost to his $100,000 per week, anywhere up to double. The other downside to this transfer is his injury record which has been pretty dodgy as of late. United may need to weigh up necessity over risk in this case.
1 – Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund)
The German star is the captain of the second best club in Germany and is loved by the Signal Iduna faithful because he is the perfect example of the new breed of no nonsense centre backs. He is athletic, he is strong, he is good on the ball and in the air.
He is a leader of men. Play him in a centre half pair or in a back three and he will still be world class.
He is 25 years old and at the beginning of the prime of his career and a move to England could further enhance his outstanding reputation. I have him as the world’s best centre back, in front of the Vincent Kompany and Thiago Silva – and that sort of talent means big dollars.
Hit and miss defender David Luiz cost PSG just short of $90 million, but that transfer was absurd for many reasons so Borussia Dortmund will probably settle for less.
They signed him from Bayern Munich for $5.5 million and despite Jurgen Klopp’s desire to keep his key man, a bid in the region of $75 million could see Hummels on the way to Manchester United.
Manchester United’s best eleven if they managed to sign these five players in Louis Van Gaal’s 3-5-2 formation.
De Gea
Jones-Hummels-Rojo
Blind-Vidal-Mata-Rooney-Shaw
Van Persie-Di Maria
Signing all five is unrealistic and won’t happen, but all Manchester United fans would be satisfied to see at least two of these players walk into Carrington. There is a lot of loose ends at United and Van Gaal has his work cut out for him to maintain his demigod status.
Follow me on Twitter @dylaneloiarvela
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