Firstly before anyone in a nit picky mood starts to be unnecessarily obtuse, I am well aware that traditionally Sir Alex Ferguson isn’t a fan of the January transfer window. Yes I am also aware that when he has had to, he has made necessary reinforcements as Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra prove.
Reports yesterday claim Darren Fletcher is out indefinitely and maybe for the rest of the season. To be fair to Fletcher, this season hasn’t been his best as he struggled to regain fitness after last seasons mystery illness. But his importance in the big matches is undeniable. Losing him for any period of time is a massive loss. Coupled with the long term absence of captain Vidic it seems obvious United need to spend in January.
Before the Fletcher announcement, United fans were confident they still had enough to avoid spending in January. The rise and rise of Phil Jones makes you wonder if investing in a cloning machine would be cheaper than buying 2 or 3 new players. A Manchester United and England team with 9 Phil Jones’s would surely be unbeatable. The problem isn’t Jones. OK he prefers playing centre back but he is a footballer and is pretty happy just to play. But who do United have to partner him?
Michael Carrick continues to frustrate United fans and he isn’t even mentioned in England circles. Anderson is currently injured and when he does play is also prone to inconsistent performances. Darron Gibson seems to of fallen out of favour at Old Trafford and Ji Sung Park has looked a yard or two off the pace this season. Against Basle, Ryan Giggs had one of his least effective games. So realistically United have Tom Cleverley as their only fit natural central midfielder. Unfortunately he has been injured himself this season and is still a few weeks away from returning. Of course United have the youngsters Pogba and Morrison and both show excellent potential but would you pick them to start against Barcelona? Not yet anyway.
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So who could United be chasing in the transfer window. Reports have linked them to Phil Jagielka from Everton, while there is also rumbles of activity surrounding Ross Barkley and Jack Rodwell. There is also ex United youngster Ryan Shawcross. I can see United bidding for one of these defenders. In turn Stoke may be willing to sell Shawcross to balance the books after a summer spending spree.
News from Italy today sees Juventus willing to loan Serbian winger Milos Krasic to United for the rest of the season but that is not a position United need filling. Maybe a loan deal with Everton for Barkley and a cash offer for Jagielka whilst seeing Macheda or Diouf make the loan switch to Goodison Park. News has also intensified surrounding Javier Mascherano. I don’t like this story and I hope his Liverpool links prevent him signing up.
Also reports today claim United may be looking for a striker in January. £20m for Carlos Tevez wouldn’t displease United fans. That one is unlikely I know but it does seem he might stay in England. What’s more, apparently Chelsea will sell Torres for £20m. Realistically there isn’t a forward on the market that fits United’s profile. Wayne Rooney seems to have found some form again and Danny Welbeck will have to start scoring regular until Michael Owen and Javier Hernandez are back fit.
Big spending won’t be on the agenda at Old Trafford but there will be business of sorts surrounding a central defender. There has to be as United look vulnerable with Johnny Evans at centre back and with the da Silva twins becoming liabilities defensively as well as injury-wise.
Should United dip into the January transfer window? Get in touch with your comments.
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If I was in the position of Sir Alex Ferguson, I’d look at signing Kyle Walker from Tottenham and shift Smalling into CB with Jones with Evra at LB, and build a team on a solid, but attacking defence.
To be honest Jordan, Kyle Walker is hot property and Spurs will struggle to keep hold of him but rumours of Madrid sniffing around and I just don’t see United in a position to bid for him. No matter how right you are. That defense is an impressive one that England will benefit from (minus Evra)but with Vidic out for 9 to 12 months I really feel a CB is the no.1 priority. If we lost Rio or Jonesy it would be curtains for the season.