We’re 28 days into the summer transfer window, and we have 34 days left. So we’re essentially at the midpoint. No time like the present to assess the transfer business Manchester United has done, and think about the business they still need to do. Let’s dive right in.
BUYS:
-Morgan Schneiderlin
-Bastian Schweinsteiger
-Matteo Darmian
-Sergio Romero
-Memphis Depay
United will set an unofficial record for having the all-time most fun starting midfield names to say with Schneiderlin and Schweinsteiger. Add in Michael Carrick and the middle is one of the team’s significant strengths. What had been an issue, at times, these past couple years is now solid, if not stellar. Romero replaces Victor Valdes as the backup to David de Gea, who thus far has been a sort of “own goal” of a transfer signing this summer. Here’s more on Romero.
Depay adds scoring from the wing, and he claims he can play striker. Manager Louis van Gaal backs up that assertion. Darmian upgrades a defense that really had some serious issues early in the season. The back line improved, and the addition of Darmian means Valencia probably won’t have to start any more.
NEEDS:
Depay is too young to be considered the added scoring punch United needs to compete with Chelsea for the title. Manchester United also need an upgrade in their center back pairing in order to become championship material. Maybe Nicolas Otamendi? Most fans probably want the next big signing to be a goal scorer though.
COMING?
Louis Van Gaal is ready to spend big again this summer given the comments he made yesterday regarding the club’s transfer ambitions.
So if and when Manchester United goes big, like Van Gaal was indicating, who will it be? Who’s realistic? If I had to guess, and I would have said these even before he mentioned wingers who can score, I would go with Gareth Bale. I’m not saying that it’s going to happen, I’m just saying that Bale seems to be the kind of player he might be talking about here.
Plus, I think he’s the most realistic purchase the club can make in terms of any potential “Galactico.”
Sergio Ramos is not coming, so that’s one target we can forget about.
SELLS:
-Robin van Persie
-Nani
-Angel Di Maria
Di Maria isn’t official yet, as the latest word is Paris St. Germain hasn’t agreed yet to giving United the amount of money they want. Who knows, by the time you read this, the deal could be signed, sealed and delivered. If not, maybe they can settle it Wednesday night when the two teams meet in a preseason friendly. We’ve all been on Di Maria watch for weeks now. Van Gaal explained yesterday why he let RVP go. Van Persie’s sour grapes right after he left were not a good look for him.
GOING:
-Rafael
-Victor Valdes
Neither player has left yet, but both were left off the summer preseason tour. That indicates that Van Gaal sees no future for either of them with the Manchester United.
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net, which is part of the FOX Sports Engage Network. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes to the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. He also appears regularly on numerous talk radio stations all across the country.
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