da betway： Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday afternoon was an important result for the Red Devils. Unquestionably the biggest test of Louis van Gaal’s tenure thus far, United are only the second side to claim points off the Premier League leaders this season, after Manchester City.
da casino： Indeed, it will breed even further faith in the Dutchman’s qualities as Old TraffordÂboss, but his United side are still very much a work in progress, with a number of intrinsic flaws remaining evident even amid their score-draw with the West Londoners.
So with the January window slowly approaching, here’s FOUR key issues LVG must address via the transfer market in the new year.
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The fate of JUAN MATA
What does the future hold for Juan Mata?
No one can doubt the Spain international’s talent, whilst five goals and eight assists in 23 appearances for Manchester United is hardly what you’d describe as a substandard return. Here’s a look at some of his highlights thus far for the Red Devils:
//www.youtube.com/embed/h6OjNTMuh88?rel=0
But two managers and several different formations on from his then-record-breaking £37million move last January, the 26 year-old is still to forge a key role for himself in United’s starting XI.
His natural position remains at No.10, but that slot looks set to be dominated by club captain Wayne Rooney under Louis van Gaal, with the Red Devils boss casting doubts over the England international as an out-and-out strike-partner to Robin van Persie back in September.
And Mata has hardly excelled in Rooney’s absence through suspension over the last few weeks, finding no goals and just one assist in his last 229 minutes of Premier League action. Likewise, as Jose Mourinho had prophesised, the Spaniard’s lack of contribution defensively is a real burden on the rest of the team.
Mata certainly fits into van Gaal’s technically-demanding philosophy and one should bear in mind that he’s only been at Old Trafford for ten months.
But with United already planning major recruitment in January and next summer, amid the new era of Financial Fair Play, Mata’s potential departure fee would give the Carrington Club huge manoeuvre in the transfer market.
He’s already been linked to Juventus for the coming transfer window:
And Louis van Gaal must decide whether January is the right time to cash-in.
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FINDING AN ALTERNATIVE TO MATS HUMMELS
Mats Hummels has been linked with an Old Trafford switch for much of his career, and even more so under Louis van Gaal after winning the World Cup with Germany during the summer.
But clearly, United’s eternal interest isn’t reciprocated by the Bundesliga star, who accepted the captain’s armband at Borussia Dortmund in August as a show of loyalty and recently declared himself ‘not interested’ in joining the Carrington ranks:
Plausible alternatives need to be considered.The fact Louis van Gaal has already issued three academy centre-backs Premier League debuts this season tells its own story, and without a commanding, experienced centre-half arriving in the new year, United’s chances of claiming fourth spot will take a serious hit.
Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen remains an option; the Belgium international is unquestionably one of the Premier League’s flagship defenders when enjoying top form and his White Hart Lane future is in serious doubt after recently rejecting a new contract:
Then there’s the more simple-yet effective Ron Vlaar, whose performances under van Gaal’s leadership verged upon world-class at Brazil 2014. Here’s the Netherlands international’s World Cup highlights:
//www.youtube.com/embed/KElFlYKBcUY?rel=0
The 29 year-old’s contract is up at the end of the season and it’s believed United could sign him for as little as £4million:
£24million-rated Atletico defender Miranda remains on United’s radar but the Carrington club have most recently been linked to Zenit defender Ezequiel Garay:
Here’s the Argentina international in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/yc97AEevMos?rel=0
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More pace going forward
The likes of Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata, Radamel Falcao, Adnan Januzaj and Angel Di Maria forge a stellar attacking line-up, but with the exception of the Argentine international, it lacks mobility, pace and natural penetration.
Indeed, the limited speed throughout United’s starting Xi has become disturbingly noticeable compared to former title-winning Red Devils outfits – perhaps something Louis van Gaal failed to envisage after recently admitting he’s been surprised by the intensity of the Premier League – and an issue the Manchester United gaffer must address in January.
One potential solution comes in the form of Serie A star Juan Cuadrado, who has just weaved a new £27.5million release clause into his contract at Fiorentina:
The hard-working winger absolutely destroyed the Italian top flight last year and brought his form to the World Cup:
Famed for his endless stamina, work-rate and incredible top speed, the Colombian international is exactly what United need on the right-hand side. Combining pace, athleticism, trickery and netting prowess, this goal typifies the 26 year-old’s game:
//www.youtube.com/embed/DUlRxcSaxZo
Borussia Dortmund attacker Marco Reus remains an alternative – his form last season, detailed below, earned him a second Bundesliga Player of the Year award in the space of three campaigns:
The rest of the European elite appear to be waiting until next summer to lure the 25 year-old away, when his ridiculously cheap £20million release clause comes into effect. But United would be wise to beat the pack and test Dortmund’s resolve with a more lucrative offer in January.
A significantly cheaper option is Marseille’s Andre Ayew. The Ghana international netted twice at the World Cup, is famed for his versatility and, as shown in the below video, is outrageously good at heading for a 5 foot 9 winger:
//www.youtube.com/embed/0gIZogfsorU?rel=0
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More mettle in midfield
Marouane Fellaini’s impressive performances against West Brom and Chelsea, netting this stunner against the Baggies:
…has unearthed an intrinsic flaw in Manchester United’s midfield – specifically, a lack of physicality compared to other Premier League sides. He not only levelled the scoring at the Hawthorns, but also made the Red Devils far more combative off the ball.
The Belgium international clearly isn’t a natural suitor to Louis van Gaal’s philosophy however, so another midfielder who can offer paralleled physical dominance needs to be brought in.
Kevin Strootman remains on United’s radar, but Roma are in no mood to sell and the Dutch international is still recovering from an ACL injury. Likewise, long-term knee issues appear to have put the Red Devils off Juventus star Arturo Vidal.
That could see van Gaal turn to Real Madrid’s Sami Khedira. A World Cup and Champions League winner, the 6 foot 2 enforcer is considered to be one of the top central midfielders in world football and looks set to leave the Bernabeu in January after refusing to extend his contract past 2015. Here’s a look at the German international in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/RetIjHKY6pA?rel=0
But Khedira will be one of the January window’s hottest properties and there’s already a plethora of Premier League clubs queuing up for his signature:
Resultantly, the Red Devils may have to settle for Nigel de Jong. The 5 foot 8 ‘Lawnmower’ wants to finish his career with current club AC Milan, but the Netherlands international’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season, suggesting the San Siro side could be forced to sell.
His bone-crushing style may not be pretty…
…but it’s effectiveness is proven in the Premier League, having previously claimed the English title with Manchester City. Here’s another look at the kind of ball-winning service the 29 year-old provides: