Robin Van Persie and Luka Modric – Through the Old Trafford Doors

Ahead of the undoubtedly manic and unfortunately frustrating transfer window, we’re putting together a mini-series of articles where a set of seven United fans each, look at two players that they would like to see enter the Theater of Dreams this summer. We’ve asked all the contributors to be ‘realistic’ in the players they pick – something that leaves each and everyone with a hard choice under the Glazer’s regime. Each day this week, there will be a new article, from a different contributor, looking into two different potential signings. Check all the articles written here, and read the final entry from Vik and his thoughts on Luka Modric and Robin Van Persie:

Last season, Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick played almost every game at central midfield. It is an area in which we indeed have quality but barely any depth. Question marks still remain around Darren Fletcher’s future as he recovers from his illness. Anderson is now 24, has been injury-ravaged in almost every season he has been with the club and has failed to fulfill the early promise and potential which saw him dubbed by many as ‘the next Ronaldinho’. Tom Cleverley, despite being brilliant earlier in the season, saw his chances in the team limited by injury and a lack of sharpness at an important stage in the season. Other players such as Ryan Giggs, Rafael and Park were played out of position at central midfield at various points, last season.

Youngster Paul Pogba looks prospective to be contracted to the Italian champions Juventus next season. The midfield is clearly a problem area; a problem that I believe would be solved by the arrival of the Croatian, Luka Modric. Luka, for me, is the finest midfielder currently plying his trade in the Premier League. He is efficient with the ball, dribbles well and distributes the ball to where and with whom it needs to be. Goals and direct assists are possibly his only criticism. However, his efficiency with the ball in the attacking third is second to none. To control the bigger games, to stamp our authority on the bigger games, a player like Luka Modric is what Manchester United need.

The second player I’d love for Manchester United to sign this summer is Robin Van Persie. With only a year left on his contract, Robin Van Persie is the only truly world class player in the world who becomes available for transfer this summer. He has just enjoyed the best and most prolific season of his career. 37 goals in 48 games last season for Arsenal saw him pick up many of the individual honours he was in the running for. At the age of 28, Robin Van Persie is a player who is at the peak of his powers. He turned up in some very big games for Arsenal last season and the value of having a big game player in your squad is immeasurable.

Last season, whilst Javier Hernandez suffered from a lack of form and Dimitar Berbatov was seemingly overlooked, Manchester United had to rely solely on the partnership of Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck. With Dimitar Berbatov and the injured Michael Owen set to leave this summer, it is possible that we could be in for a new striker this summer. Robin could offer ‘that’ something different and ‘that’ something extra that Manchester United need to wrestle back the title from the city rivals. It has been rumoured in the media that we have already enquired about the Dutchman and that it had come to no avail. However, this is still a transfer I’d love to come to fruition.