da esport bet： Manchester United’s £150m spend last summer was a record for a single transfer window. The lavish sums of cashed thrown around by Louis van Gaal in his first few months at Old Trafford were unprecedented, and the results have been, thus far, mixed.
da marjack bet： But, according to reports, the club are ready to do it all over again this year as the project to take United back to the top of the global game kicks into the next gear.
So how can such money be used wisely? We have highlighted some dos and don’ts for Mr. Van Gaal, and here are FIVE…
Sign some DEFENDERS
Man United’s business last year, although headline grabbing, was a little unorthodox. As the window close many mocked the club for their decisions to sign numerous left-sided players and central attacking stars, neglecting the exits of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand at the back.
And boy did this oversight come home to roost, with injuries forcing Louis van Gaal to turn to the likes of Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair at the back – the youngsters had previously barely even trained with the team’s senior sides – while shoehorning midfielders such as Michael Carrick and Daley Blind into a three-man rearguard.
So, this summer needs to be a little different in terms of approach, with centre-backs, and potentially a holding midfielder, the major aims. Mats Hummels appears to be the top choice, and his £37m valuation fits into the budget, while other players such as Nicolas Otamendi and Ezequiel Garay are options.
Kevin Strootman would be ideally suited to a holding midfield role, but his long-term knee injury is an issue. All of these players could be signed for around £150m.
Avoid a marquee player
Although there have been suggestions that United are set to commit to a ‘Galactico’ era of mega money on global stars, perhaps avoiding massive names this summer would be more wise. Angel di Maria was snapped up for a record-breaking £59.7m and despite a bright start, his form has tailed off to a worrying extent this side of Christmas, while the massive outlay on Radamel Falcao’s wages has paid in just four league goals.
Gareth Bale has been mooted as a £120m target, but such an outlay would leave just £30m to sort out the numerous other issues in LVG’s squad…
Don’t use any of the cash for Falcao
As mentioned before, Falcao has been a massive flop. The Colombian is believed to have cost United around £6m for a season-long loan, while his wages of around £300,000-per-week look absurd given his four-goal return. A clause is in place to pay another £43.5m to get the Monaco man in permanently, but if Van Gaal sanctions such a swoop he may need to be sent off for medical examinations!
Falcao is now 28, has major issues with his knees after recent injury scares – he missed most of 2014 with an ACL problem – and looks out of his depth in the Premier League due to a lack of pace.
Build for the future
Wayne Rooney (29), Robin van Persie (30), Michael Carrick (33), Antonio Valencia (29). Many of United’s current first-team stars are now approaching the back ends of their careers, so before long LVG may be looking at a major Old Trafford overhaul. Okay, the Red Devils have plenty of players approaching their peak and some talented youngsters, but, despite their top four berth, the football produced this term has not been befitting of the money thrown at the squad as a whole.
Some new faces with potential may ease the transition to the next era of success at United, and should be considered.
Set some cash aside to keep De Gea
Although there are many big name attackers in the United team, De Gea has been the club’s best player this season. The Spanish goalkeeper has recovered from a shaky start to life in English football, and now his reflexes, proficiency in one-on-ones and command of his area have won Van Gaal’s side numerous points and had a major impact on the club’s league position.
Real Madrid are said to be interested, and with De Gea’s contract ticking towards it’s 2016 expiry date, using some of the £150m to give him a pay rise to warn off the Spaniards may be wise.