It seems that Manchester United’s past few summers have been littered with transfer blows. From the Cesc Fabregas episode of 2013 under David Moyes, to last year’s Arturo Vidal chase right up to the recent Sergio Ramos debacle disappointments have been plentiful.
And now Pedro’s name has officially been added to that list, with Chelsea having moved late to lure the Spaniard to London, undoing weeks of negotiations between United and the 28-year-old.
Yes, the Red Devils have enjoyed a fairly successful window so far, with Memphis Depay’s arrival followed by smart deals for Matteo Darmian, Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sergio Romero, but there’s still the feeling that Louis van Gaal’s side are short of quality in at least two positions, maybe even three!
With less than two weeks of transfer window madness remaining, United cannot afford to miss out on more targets, especially if they’re serious about turning six points from a possible six in Premier League action into a genuine title challenge.
With that in mind, here are FIVE late additions the club need to be seriously chasing…
Jasper Cillessen
Despite the suggestions that David de Gea will be staying put, the most likely situation come the evening of September 1st is that the goalie will be back in his homeland with Real Madrid. Louis van Gaal’s decision to drop the stopper for both Premier League games and, perhaps more significantly, their Champions League qualification first-leg with Club Brugge hints that their relationship has broken down slightly, with the player himself known top be keen on the chance to head back to La Liga.
A replacement will needed if the club are to maintain their positive start to the season, with, although he’s kept two clean sheets, Sergio Romero perhaps not the right man for a full campaign… especially as youngster Sam Johnstone is the only back-up option with Victor Valdes out in the cold.
Cillessen is mooted to be Van Gaal’s top target, and with the Dutch boss having worked with the Ajax ‘keeper at international level – he made him his No.1 at the World Cup last year – it’s pretty clear that he’s an admirer of his talents.
Charlie Austin
Not exactly the ‘marquee man’ than United fans are clamouring for, but Austin could be a great addition. 18 goals for the Premier League’s worst side in 2014/15 – QPR finished 20th last term – shows that the marksman is pretty lethal in front of goal, and his all-action playing style means that he can both lead the line alone and work in tandem with a partner.
Wayne Rooney is set to remain United’s main man, so a back-up option is necessary, and Austin is unlikely to turn down Old Trafford even if it means that he may be spending some time on the bench. The Super Hoops want around £15m for their star, but their monetary concerns suggest that, as the deadline draws closer, they may need to lower these demands, while the Red Devils could offer youngsters on loan to sweeten the deal.
A very good late option.
Sadio Mane
The shock target following the Pedro blow, Mane, although not of the same calibre of the Spaniard, is now needed. Okay, his credentials as ‘United quality’ may be questionable, but what sort of message would it send out if a club of the Manchester giants’ stature miss out on him after supposedly pulling out of a deal for Pedro to target the Senegal international?
Although Southampton are set to dig in to keep their pacey wide-man, United are plotting a new offer for Mane worth closer to the Saints’ £25m valuation than their opening £15m proposal…
John Stones
How to get back at Chelsea over ‘Pedro-gate’? Steal one of their major targets, obviously. It’s pretty clear to anyone to have watched United last season that Van Gaal’s side are crying out for a new centre-back, with Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans having all struggled at various stages.
Daley Blind and Smalling have looked good together so far this term, but a player of Stones’ quality would be a better option alongside the England international than the Dutch midfielder. The 21-year-old is an adept ball-playing centre-back very much in the mould of former Old Trafford great, Rio Ferdinand.
Antoine Griezmann
The wide attacker/forward Man United are in need of? Quite possibly. Griezmann has been simply outstanding in La Liga for quite some time and furthered his reputation in his debut campaign with Atletico Madrid last season as he struck an impressive 22 league goals.
Tempting the Vicente Calderon side to sell will be no easy task, but with £44m back from the sale of Angel di Maria, there’s no reason for the Red Devils to fear making the Frenchman their marquee signing.
