Manchester United’s performance against Real Madrid was damn impressive, even if it was clear that they don’t really have anybody on their books as talented as the mercurial Cristiano Ronaldo. Since the Portuguese winger left Old Trafford, Sir Alex Ferguson’s focus has been on ensuring there’s a fairly even balance of talent throughout the squad, and that there are no real weaknesses within the team.
This has required a lot of regular spending and a reliance on older players like Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs to continue to provide the goods. But as the Ginger Prince and the Welsh winger get older and older and their legs start to grow weary, the need for somebody to step in and replace them will become all the more pressing.
Who, for instance, will replace Ryan Giggs? The Welshman has been excellent this season, displaying a fantastic range of passing, smart feet and great movement. It’s amazing that a player his age is so much more effective and dangerous than the likes of Ashley Young. With Nani’s Manchester United future a constant source of debate and Antonio Valencia’s form dipping from last season, I wouldn’t be surprised if Sir Alex Ferguson was weighing up his options in the winger department.
And could he turn to the team he just eeked a smashing 1-1 draw from during their mid-week Champions League fixture? According to the Daily Express, Manchester United is battling it out with Inter Milan, for Madrid’s ‘assist-king’, Angel Di Maria.
The Argentine’s relationship with Jose Mourinho has begun to deteriorate and it’s thought he might seek a way out from the Bernabeu this summer. I think it’s also fair to say that he’s suffered as a result on the pitch – he certainly hasn’t displayed the same form this year as he did last season. 6 goals and 10 assists in 34 games, doesn’t really stack up against 7 goals and 16 assists in 32 games last season.
But it’s still not bad. However you attempt to boil it down, Di Maria is a remarkably effective player. When he steps onto the pitch, he usually makes his mark. This kind of quality, would be sure to endear him to Manchester United’s army of fans.
Any move for the Argentine winger is sure to cost a pretty penny, but he’d be worth it for Manchester United. Let’s hope that Fergie is using the Real Madrid fixtures to do a little bit of scouting, along with his normal managerial duties.
What’s your take? Should Manchester United be in the market for Angel Di Maria?
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it will be a good move.valencia is simply not good enough to wear utd shirt.with mourinho tracking gareth bale,di maria might be out of picture.lack of a quality winger in utd camp,was clearly seen at bernabeau.but fergie,doesnt buy too many stars.with rvp and rooney in the team,fergie wont rope in another one.i think with wilfred zaha signed,fergie wont make a bid