Is this the most important transfer window of Sir Alex Ferguson’s career?

Sir Alex Ferguson is the grand master every manager needs to topple to reach the top. The Scotsman record is untouched and his ability to stay at the top is testament to his management and ability as a tactician. Of course other teams have triumphed, Arsenal and Chelsea spring to mind but neither have the longevity to match Sir Alex’s United.

But now with Manchester City around and seemingly here to stay thanks to those certain Sheiks; and a new rejuvenated Chelsea, fresh off winning the Champions League and acquiring Eden Hazard, and Mr Abramovic showing no signs of stopping the spending until he acquires ‘beautiful football.’ Manchester United have two very strong challengers in their midst, backed by owners with endless pockets, so business done this summer will be crucial.

Much of the talk throughout the past few years has been to do with the state of United’s midfield. It is no secret that the Manchester United midfield and team as a whole are too reliant on golden oldies Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, particularly Scholes whose reintroduction in January breathed new life into the team and rejuvenated their title push. It was great as Manchester United fan to see Scholes come back as he did but in regards to the bigger picture, it emphasises just how lacking we were in the central midfield department; although long term injuries to Tom Cleverley and Anderson and the serious illness of Darren Fletcher must be taken into consideration.

Transfer talk in recent times has circled around Borussia Dortmund’s playmaker Shinji Kagawa and of course Lille’s Eden Hazard. With the Belgian all set for a move to Chelsea it is imperative the deal for Kagawa is struck. Being a close follower of the Bundesliga, Kagawa seemed to me to be a player who could flourish at Old Trafford; before all the rumours occurred. Although not a direct replacement for Scholes, his game is similar to Scholes’ in terms of the Ginger Princes early years at the club. Kagawa is a high scoring attacking midfielder with an impressive number of assists. In his 31 Bundesliga games this year, the Japanese international clocked up 13 goals as well as 8 goals, and has really stepped up to plate in the absence of Mario Gotze. In a Manchester United midfield which lacks goals, he could very well be the missing link.

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What else must be taken into consideration is the loss of Darren Fletcher. The Scotsman’s tough-tackling as well as good range of passing has been sorely missed in Manchester United’s engine room. Michael Carrick has had arguably his best year in Manchester, but his tactical awareness is not the same or as effective Fletcher’s high energy game. Whether Fletcher can recover from is cruel illness remains to be seen, but signing an effective shield to the defence should be a priority. Names such as Javi Martinez and Kevin Strootman have been mentioned, but it seems unlikely either of these two would be headed to Manchester. Then comes the question of promoting youth.

It is a well-known fact, that as well as spending big on players when they need to, Sir Alex is certainly not afraid to give youngsters their chance. There of course has to be an air of optimism when it comes to young players, not every single player will make it as a Manchester United player, but this current crop of reserves has been compared to the class of ’92. Players like Will Keane, Davide Petrucci and Ryan Tunniclife are just a few who have been tipped to graduate just as Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck have done.

It is clear to see judging by last summer’s purchases that United have the money to spend, and it will be intriguing to see how Sir Alex does with it. Will he spend on only one or two players send the impressive youngsters on loan and introduce them back for the 2013/2014 season; or rather will he buy good 3-4 players. Let the transfer talk commence…

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