Ashley Cole to United? Sounds ridiculous? Maybe not...

Over the last few weeks, reports have been emerging about Ashley Cole‘s lack of contract talks with Chelsea about a new deal despite having just a year left on his current one. This in turn has led to him being linked with a move to arch-rivals Manchester United, who are in the market for a new left back.

Many, on internet forums, have agreed that such a move would be a waste of transfer money which could be used on a younger player instead.

However, Cole’s signing could be the perfect answer to United’s problems at the left back position. The move will not be a short-term solution as many claim it to be.

Cole would be used in tandem with Evra. This will reduce the workload on the Frenchman, who as Sir Alex Ferguson said, has been playing 45-50 games per season for the the last four to five seasons.

Both have enough quality to dispel the age factor.

In the long-term, Cole will also help in the development of United’s current crop of youngsters like Fabio, Tyler Blackett and Robbie Brady, none of whom are quite ready for the first team yet and could spend valuable time on-loan at other clubs to gain first-team experience.

By the time they are ready, both Cole and Evra will be well into their 30s, and the youngsters can step in when the two veterans finally decide to hang up their boots.

This move will thus, be a better solution than signing Leighton Baines who at 27, is already at his prime and will impede the development of the talented youngsters.