With Manchester United's defensive line still looking increasingly shaky under Louis van Gaal, it may come as no surprise to United fans that they are being linked with a number of defenders in January.
However, while some rumors may be expected, there are others that will come as much more of a shock. And that's where this particular transfer line comes in, courtesy of Anthony Chapman at the Daily Express . He reports that United are set to make a shock bid for the services of ex-Arsenal and Chelsea full-back Ashley Cole:
Former Chelsea and Arsenal hero Ashley Cole could be set for a shock move to Manchester United after it emerged that the left-back looks certain to leave Roma in January.
According to reports in Italy, Rudi Garcia is not convinced that the ex-England international has the right attributes to fit in with his high-intensity methods, and has instructed the club's hierarchy to find a suitable replacement.
It is also claimed that Cole has his heart set on a move back to the Premier League, where he enjoyed much success playing under the likes of Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho.
Cole's move to Serie A came as somewhat of a surprise at the back end of last season, so it may not come as much of a shock to discover that he is reportedly seeking a way back into English football with a Premier League club.
There would have undoubtedly been a number of clubs queuing up to snap Cole up when he left Chelsea last year, with United themselves shopping for a new left-back after Patrice Evra left the club at the end of the season.
United eventually purchased Luke Shaw from Southampton, and while he was impressive during their 1-1 draw against Chelsea at the weekend, he is not yet producing the form that saw him become a household name at Southampton last year.
Louis van Gaal questioned the youngster's fitness on United's pre-season tour of America, and Shaw is still to hit top gear with United.
He has very little in the way of genuine competition for places, as does most of the United back four. As we saw at the beginning of the campaign, youngsters like Tyler Blackett and Patrick McNair have been tossed into the mix in an attempt to shore up gaps in Van Gaal's defence.
With the race for the top four clearly wide-open, Van Gaal may be seeking an immediate fix in the January transfer window and be looking to bring in some top-level experience to help guide United back into the Champions League at the first attempt.
And they certainly don't come much more experienced than Cole, who has won a host of domestic honours, as well as having over 100 England caps to his name. He retired from international duty earlier this year, meaning Van Gaal would not have to worry about losing Cole when England meet up as part of the hectic schedule top-tier footballers face these days.
A short-term move for the 33-year-old certainly would have its benefits, not least on the long-term development of Shaw at United. The 19-year-old Shaw would be working under one of the best left-backs in Premier League history if a move for Cole did come to fruition, and it would surely increase the competition for places that is so often required at a top club.
And there's certainly the potential for Cole to come in and have an impact on this United side on the field too, as well as off it. If Van Gaal could pull it off, it would be a shrewd move to get Cole on board.
//from Bleacher Report http://ift.tt/1wCgI8p
via IFTTT October 29, 2014 at 03:00AM
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