By Alex Carey
With Manchester United falling to their seventh league defeat of the season at the weekend fans are calling for action to be taken.
It would seem more apparent than ever that new blood is needed at Old Trafford although many would argue that it is the same squad that won the league last season, I have three words; Sir Alex Ferguson.
Sir Alex not only built a reputation for creating some of the most feared squads in the sport but he also had the ability to turn average players into champions – something that David Moyes evidently does not have.
I will start by defending Moyes in saying that the squad he was left by his predecessor was in no way a gift but Sir Alex had a way of getting players to perform beyond their capabilities.
Manchester United currently sit at seventh in the Premier League and 14 points adrift of leaders Arsenal.
Manchester United’s business model is based on success and if they miss out on a top-four spot this season that means no Champions League and no €35 million, that they received from last year’s competition as well as an inevitable decrease in shirt sales.
A Champions League spot for Moyes is of paramount importance and MM have underlined five players that must go and five players that must replace them in order for this to happen.
Five Out:
Anderson
Currently on loan at Fiorentina, having made just three starting appearances under David Moyes, he has had more than six years to prove his worth and despite an impressive first season has not fulfilled his potential.
The 25-year-old Brazilian often looks off the pace and at times simply not hungry enough to succeed and if his loan move turns into a permanent one it will be the best arrangement for both player and club.
Nani
The Portuguese winger has also been given too many chances to prove himself since 2007 and his inconsistency and reluctance to reach his potential has frustrated fans for far too long.
Ashley Young
The winger, who would give Tom Daley a run for his money, gives the ball away too often and creates very little chances.
Tom Cleverley
A number of fans may not want him to leave but for a central midfielder he does not get nearly enough assists or score enough goals – his general link-up play, passing range and passing tempo is great to watch but he does not create chances.
Patrice Evra
The time has now come for the Frenchman to move on, with his defensive qualities deteriorating in the last three seasons, he is no longer the rock he once was.
Five in:
Juan Mata
The unsettled Spanish play-maker was an un-used substitute yet again at the weekend and selling him could prove to be the best option for both player and club.
There is no doubt that the lack of playing time will affect his match-sharpness but let’s be realistic; Mata is a world-class player and if Chelsea are willing to sell him United should swoop in as he will add an element of flair and vision that Moyes’ side are low on.
Yohan Cabaye
In 2007 Sir Alex thought he had replaced Paul Scholes with both Owen Hargreaves and Anderson having terrific first seasons but Hargreaves saw his career ended by injury and Anderson failed to build on his good start.
An empty space has since been present in United’s engine room with Darren Fletcher side-lined for years with illness and Scholes eventually retiring, Michael Carrick has been left to run games alone.
The Old Trafford faithful has been crying out for an all-round central midfielder for years and after a summer of embarrassingly chasing Cesc Fabregas the Reds need someone to stabilise things.
Look no further than Yohan Cabaye, he ticks all the boxes required for the job; creative, aggressive, dictates play and is a realistic and available target in January.
Eliaquim Mangala
Something else Saturdays defeat taught us is that Nemanja Vidic is no longer the force he once was and that a new central-defensive rock is needed to give surety.
Porto’s Eliaquim Mangala, 22, should be brought in and placed under the wing of Vidic, however, he will not come cheaply with Porto reportedly wanting £40 million for the Frenchman.
Fabio Coentrao
For the reasons given above Evra is very much in the latter stages of his playing career and a perfect replacement would be Real Madrid’s Fabio Coentrao.
At the age of 26 the Portugese international will provide more of a long term replacement for Evra than Everton’s Leighton Baines.
İlkay Gündoğan
Finally, a bigger signing in centre midfield is needed; I have left this until last as this is a transfer most likely to happen in the summer window.
There are a number of players that could fit the bill, the likes of Arturo Vidal, Koke and Paul Pogba have been mentioned in other publications but the best option for United is Borrussia Dortmund’s İlkay Gündoğan.
The German international will offer United a new lease of life with his energy, dictation of play and box-to-box playing style.
This deal will be best left for the summer as it will allow him time to recover from a niggling back injury and will also provide United’s Executive Vice-Chairman, Ed Woodward, with more time to seal the deal as he is not known for his urgency in the market.
Tags: Manchester united, transfers, players, players to sell, İlkay Gündoğan, david moyes, Fabio Coentrao, Patrice Evra, Juan Mata, Yohan Cabaye, Tom Cleverley, Anderson, Nani, Ashley Young, chelsea
Red It - Alex Carey 