The tables have turned at Manchester United—from a squad lacking world-class assets and title-winning credentials to one that will strike fear into Premier League opposition, all in the space of 24 hours.
While Angel di Maria’s big-money signing gave United a bit of extra bite, two more stars will be calling Old Trafford home come the end of transfer deadline day.
Radamel Falcao and Daley Blind are within a whisker of completing their respective switches to Manchester United, and both are set to be holding the famous red shirt complete with a grin very soon.
While it seems that United’s back line is the area that the club desperately need to improve, Falcao is the calibre of signing to get fans’ mouths watering at the prospect of watching the Red Devils in action once again.
The Colombian international will complete his switch to Old Trafford on a one-year loan deal worth £6 million, with the option to buy at the end of the season—per Mark Ogden of the Daily Telegraph .
As high-profile a footballer as they come, Falcao doesn’t arrive without a hefty wage bill alongside him, and Ogden writes that United will pay the 28-year-old a staggering £346,000 per week.
Such a salary doesn’t seem to have put the Red Devils off at all, though, as Sky Sports News HQ reported that Falcao is in Manchester ironing out the final few details of his switch:
With Di Maria in and the likes of Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Robin van Persie also at Louis van Gaal’s disposal, United now have one of the fiercest attacking lines in world football.
But how essential is the Falcao capture?
Former United player Michael Owen doesn’t seem to think it was crucial, as he said that the front line didn’t need any tinkering, but he remained excited at the prospect of seeing Falcao in red:
It’s only a matter of time before the Colombian becomes a United player, and while it may break the Red Devils’ bank, it could prove to be worth it.
From a signing that may not strictly be needed to one that certainly is now, confirmation of versatile Dutchman Blind’s status as a Manchester United star edges closer.
While there’s been no movement from United on the matter as of yet, Ajax have revealed via Twitter that Blind has left the Amsterdam club for Old Trafford—as Bleacher Report UK revealed:
A player who can perform anywhere across the back and in defensive midfield, Blind is exactly the kind of man whom United need, and the Dutchman himself revealed that he doesn’t mind where he plays under Van Gaal, so long as he gets a game—reported via Ogden of the Daily Telegraph :
I don’t mind at all, as long as I get minutes on the field. Did I speak with Louis van Gaal in the last few days about the role I am going to play at United? We did have some informal contact, but the conversations which took place stay between him and me. I just want to be part of the team, in whatever role that is going to be, in defence or in midfield.
Where Blind plays for United will likely depend on the fitness of other stars, but lining up at centre-back or in holding midfield looks the most likely.
The Red Devils have spent wildly in the transfer window, but parting with just £13.8 million for Blind—per BBC Sport—appears to be a piece of shrewd business by Van Gaal.
The opening three matches of United’s Premier League season have been nothing to get excited about, but with deadline day whipping the squad into shape, there’s light at the end of the tunnel.
United have been ruled out of the running for the Premier League title this year, but suddenly the prospect of the famous trophy returning to Old Trafford come the end of the season doesn’t seem so ludicrous.
//from Bleacher Report http://ift.tt/1q40Vhb
via IFTTT September 01, 2014 at 12:09PM
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