Could this eight-legged Brazilian be a good fit for Manchester United?

Although we’re only in October, Manchester United fans are already beginning to draw up their transfer wish-lists for when the January transfer window re-opens.

That’s what happens when a club who should be challenging for the Premier League title gets shunted into ninth place in the table prior to the International break. It gives fans too much time to think about the club’s shortcomings and it doesn’t provide the players with any real opportunity to prove their worth on the pitch.

Manchester United may be the reigning Champions, but since they won the title, they seem to have been in a state of suspended animation. Yes, David Moyes has joined the club as manager, but he’s also been extremely slow to act, hasn’t brought in the players necessary and hasn’t motivated the troops.

This sluggish approach to the transfer market and to corralling his players has fans looking to the future, in the hope that there are better times ahead.

This begs the question: what do Manchester United need to get them up and running again? Which players should be on United fan’s wish lists?

The answer to that is fairly obvious: a world-class creative midfielder, a top centre-back and a left-back to provide Patrice Evra with competition.

Having just signed Marouane Fellaini, I’m sure there’s not that much demand for another defensive midfielder. But I hope the club doesn’t rule out the potential addition of Porto’s defensive talent, Fernando.

In the following article, The Mirror suggests that Manchester United are after the holding midfielder, ‘known to the fans as The Octopus and Moyes could add him to his squid [squad]’. Good job with that pun-ditry!

The Octopus is reaching the end of his contract and could be available on a free this summer. As such, the Superliga side may be willing to sell in January for a small sum, rather than risk losing him for nothing later on.

There’s a reason why he’s known as The Octopus. It’s because when he’s playing, he seems to be everywhere at once and seems to have more limbs than other players on the pitch. In other words, he makes blocks, interceptions and tackles that other players just don’t.

He’s a sublime example of a defensive midfielder and would be a smart addition to just about any Premier League side.

But do Manchester United really need him? In my opinion, yes.

Signing Fernando would give Fellaini license to roam and the big Belgian’s height, presence and power could give United more force moving forward.

United would still have to sign another more creative midfielder, but I’d argue that Fernando would make David Moyes’ team considerably more balanced and much harder to break down.

That sounds like a step in the right direction to me.

What’s your take? Should Manchester United be interested in The Octopus?

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