Manchester United have looked strong throughout their pre-season campaign (they’ve cast aside everybody in their way), but it’s still not clear that they’ve got a fully competitive, properly balanced squad.
Pre-season action is one thing and competitive football is another. The Red Devils don’t want to get found out when the real action starts back up again. Louis Van Gaal should be working hard to put safety measures in place. In other words, The Dutchman should be working hard to add new recruits to his team and provide his squad with some balance.
That’s why I was interested to see Manchester United pick up a link to former Manchester City star, Nigel de Jong. Whilst it’s difficult to get excited about a tough-tackling Dutchman who doesn’t offer much from an attacking perspective, he does strike me as a good option for The Red Devils.
Between Moyes and Van Gaal a lot of attacking talent has been brought in (Ander Herrera, Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini). The next priority should be adding some steel to their midfield.
Assuming that Marouane Fellaini isn’t up to the job (who really knows what his best position is, after all), the next best solution involves taking to the transfer market. If Van Gaal is willing to do this, he’d do well to at least consider De Jong, a player he’ll know well from his time as the Netherland’s head coach.
Whilst your most vivid memory of De Jong will probably involve his flying kick on Xabi Alonso in the 2010 World Cup, there’s a lot more to his game than a tendency to break the rules.
He’s one of the most defensively astute footballers in the world. He’s a tough-tackler, he’s physically strong, he reads the game well and he’s pretty good in the air. He’s the kind of player who can win other players more time and space on the ball thanks to his dynamism, footballing smarts and passion.
The Metro suggests that he could be available for as little as £8m. That’s a bargain price for somebody with some much experience at the top level of the game. The Red Devils would be foolish to miss out.
What’s your take? Should Louis Van Gaal make a move for Nigel De Jong?
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I want to no every tin about futbol.
I need him at OT b’se he is a good defensive midfielder to add steel in the midfield.Bring Angel Di Maria & Matt Hummels.
Sign him up LVG