Manchester United Transfers: The Red Devils add creativity and goals but still thin at the back

Photo: Angel Di Maria (Manchester United on facebook)

For over two decades the Old Trafford faithful has witnessed one man, Sir Alex Ferguson, running things in the dugout and replacing such an icon was always going to be tough. David Moyes was the‘Chosen One’ but failed miserably to keep Manchester United competitive and ended finishing 7^th last season. It was shocking to the football world as the Red Devils failed to secure Champions League Football and faced a tough challenge of recruiting top players to the club.

Louis van Gaal was recruited by the clubs hierarchy and straight away he impressed at the World Cup with the Netherlands. The master tactician is one of the best managers and trainers in the game today and his presence brought hope of attracting world class players. In the end, the Red Devils managed to capture Luke Shaw, Ander Herrera, Marcos Rojo, Angel Di Maria, Daley Blind and Radamel Falcao. They spent quite a fortune on their six additions and Yardie Sports takes a look on what the fans can expect from them at Old Trafford.

Luke Shaw

Brought up at Southampton and mentioned as possibly the next Gareth Bale, Luke Shaw has been a consistent performer at a high level in the Premier League with Southampton. The 19 year old left back has such great courage and temperament he seems tailor-made for the big time. He is an excellent sight to watch in full flow going forward and is not afraid to have a strike at goal. He has good pace and his crossing ability is already at a high level. Defensively he has a few question marks but his pace always seem to bail him out. His positioning is sometimes questionable in a defensive sense but that will improve as he gets more time on the pitch. Shaw had the experience of playing in a World Cup and is a wonderful replacement for Patrice Evra.

Ander Herrera

Since Paul Scholes, Manchester United has lacked a genuine midfield dictator who can take command of a match and make the difference from midfield. Former Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrera is perhaps what they have been missing all this time. The Spaniard is capable of playing as a deep-lying playmaker, a box-to-box midfielder or as a genuine playmaker. Known as a hard worker in the middle of the park, Ander is very comfortable on the ball and like most Spanish players he is technically gifted. He covers every blade of grass in midfield spraying the ball around the pitch and is quite hard in a challenge. He will always be up for a good battle and will never shy away from a physical encounter. Ander is an excellent signing for Van Gaal and the fans will enjoy his performances in the famous red shirt.

Marcos Rojo

The Argentine defender started his career at Estudiantes and moved to Spartak Moscow where his disciplinary actions harmed his progress. He was given a chance to fulfil his potential by Sporting Lisbon where he flourished and showed signs of his massive talent. The 24 year old is a fiery character and Old Trafford sources revealed that they think they have found themselves a new Roy Keane. He is very aggressive, reads and anticipates play extremely well, comfortable in possession of the ball and his appreciation of what is happening around him is something that excites Van Gaal. He is capable of playing in central defense or at left back but he will add some steel and aggression in the absence of former captain Nemanja Vidic.

Angel Di Maria

The capture of Angel Di Maria is a huge statement of intent from Manchester United. The 26 year old fleet-footed Argentine winger is one of the best in the world and moved to Old Trafford for a British record fee. Di Maria won La Liga and the Champions League during his time at Real Madrid and brings the guarantee of goals and assists to the BPL. He is lightning quick, has lots of trickery and a wonderful passing range. He also has the ability to single-handedly win games for the Red Devils. He is a world class player and at the age of 26 his best years are just about to start and so he should only get better and better provided that he stays healthy and by his injury record he should remain fully fit.

Daley Blind

A consistent performer at a high level in the Dutch Eridivisie and in the Champions League with Ajax, Daley Blind is seen as a versatile player who suits Van Gaal’s philosophy. The 24 year old is the reigning Dutch Player of the Year leading Ajax to a fourth straight Eridivisie title. Blind is a picture of calmness and composure on the ball and like most Ajax academy graduate is a gifted player technically. He is a player who reads the game extremely well and appreciates what happens around him. His passing is very good and gets himself in good positions to receive the ball or to break up play. He is very disciplined when performing his tasks and this should be wonderful for Man United especially in the middle of the park.

Radamel Falcao

Described as the ‘most naturally in form goal-scorer’ by Pep Guardiola, Falcao arrives at Old Trafford with a big reputation as a deadly finisher. He has scored lots of goals whereever he has played and so he is expected to do much of the same at Old Trafford. Falcao is a complete striker with good pace, good touch, excellent awareness and his movement is just phenomenal. He can run at defenders, has the ability to get past his marker and make space for himself in and around the penalty area. His finishing touch is right up there with the best and if he stays healthy, defenders in the BPL will have a nightmare contending with the man referred to as ‘a great reference for Colombian Football’ by Lionel Messi.

Van Gaal will be pleased with the backing he received from the club’s board recruiting some young, exciting and experienced talent. Barring Falcao and Di Maria to a small extent, the players added are typically that of Man United. They generally sign young players with potential in the hope that these talents will develop and fulfil their potential at Old Trafford. Di Maria and Falcao are world class imports but the others are still to reach such heights. Van Gaal recruited well but still they look a bit thin defensively. Manchester United still seems short of a dominant midfielder and a commanding and experienced central defender. They should be able to add to the squad in January to complete the balance of the squad but they should be able to perform at a higher level with their summer additions.