Why Manchester United must sign Bayern Munich's Javi Martinez if not Toni Kroos

Javi Martinez and Toni Kroos

Manchester United’s situation is rather unique and peculiar in it’s very own perspective and point of view. And the problems are seemingly sure to persist until the end of this season. The defence has been in tatters lately and with a solid centre-back in Nemanja Vidic set to depart Old Trafford, there will be an evident void in the defence next season as well. And with Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra also looking set to follow the same path as Vidic’s ,the signing of a centre -back looks rather imminent .

But,when it comes to the midfield which has been the main source of agitation for Moyes’ men, United have been heavily linked with a variety of quality midfielders with Bayern Munich ace Toni Kroos being a prime one. But considering the fact that United are genuinely interested in signing Kroos, is he really beguilable in case United don’t make it to the Top 4?

But, the way Toni Kroos is beginning to find his rhythm at the German club, United would have to splash a hefty fee on the 24-year-old German midfielder. And that’s why David Moyes must try and shift his attention to another midfield maestro in Javi Martinez, if a deal for Toni Kroos falters.

Javi Martinez’s current situation at Bayern is currently similar to Anderson’s final years at Manchester United. Both of them are falling rather abruptly down the pecking order for their respective clubs. Martinez is a utility player who can operate in different positions on a football field, with the central midfield and the centre back position being one of his favoured roles. Much like United’s very own Phil Jones, the 25-year-old can act as a holding midfielder in some cases with the option of moving forward also available in some cases.

And United, who have a significant scarcity of decent holding midfielders in their ranks should consider buying one to reduce the burden on Michael Carrick. And when Martinez signed for Bayern two years ago, he was believed to take up the role of a midfield orchestrator but he has been let down by some managerial decisions at his current club.

Martinez has featured just 10 times for the Bavarians this season but has been simply snubbed by Pep Guardiola in some cases and can be rightly dubbed as a “€40 million problem”. The former Athletic Bilbao ace has an average passing accuracy of 90 percent and has committed most of his actions near the half way line, much like Carrick or United target Ilkay Gundogan.

Tom Cleverley and summer signing Marouane Fellaini have failed to succeed in their objectives of laying down a platform to aid United play better than we hope them to. And David Moyes’ men are feeling the ravages of Paul Scholes‘ absence following his retirement last season and no one can actually deny the fact that United would have been poor in his absence even a season ago.

United, by the looks of things look rather set to miss out on a Champions League spot thanks to their aggravating midfield problems which are still due to be solved. Toni Kroos’ signing looks almost impossible by any means and United would have to shift focus to a wholly different player and Javi Martinez may just be one of them.