3 Reasons Why Manchester United Must Consider Signing Rakitic In January

Rakitic has been a loyal servant for Barcelona
Rakitic has been a loyal servant for Barcelona
"I feel sad."

These were the words of Ivan Rakitić when he made an appearance on Jorge Valdano’s TV show. Of course, a reaction like this is expected from someone who has only played a total of 397 minutes of football in LaLiga this season, with only 3 starts to his name. This is a remarkable turnaround for a player of Rakitić’s calibre who until last season was a crucial member of the Barcelona squad. We all know football changes fast, and frankly speaking, we all knew that it would happen. Rakitić’s fall from grace was inevitable the moment Frenkie de Jong joined Barcelona in the summer transfer window. It is his failure to seek pastures anew that has led to this predicament. Rakitic then quipped,

“How does my little girl feel when her toy is taken away? Sad. I feel the same way. They have taken the ball away from me.”

This is coming from a player who has been one of the best performers for Blaugrana after joining from Sevilla 5 years ago. And it’s not like Rakitić’s powers have waned. At 31 years of age, the Croatian is still near his peak with seemingly 2-3 of his best years ahead of him.

A situation like this makes it an attractive opportunity for a club like Manchester United, who are in dire need of midfielders. We may have seen a shift in the club’s transfer policy over the summer where they don’t chase big names anymore. But they should not let an opportunity and player like Rakitić slip away from their hands.

A number of factors come into play when we talk about this situation. So let’s dive deeper and discuss why United must do all they can to get Rakitić during the January transfer window.

Also check out: Premier League Table Champions League table La liga table 2019-20

#1. Situation at Barcelona

Rakiticć in the FC Barcelona v RCD Mallorca La Liga fixture
Rakiticć in the FC Barcelona v RCD Mallorca La Liga fixture

As per the words of Barcelona legend Xavi, “Rakitic is one of the best signings Barça have made in their history.” His words ring true when we look at Rakitic’s performances for Barcelona over the last 5 years. He has made significant contributions to Barcelona’s on-field success and won 4 LaLiga titles and one UCL during his time. But things have been quite different this season.

It could easily be argued that on paper, Barcelona have one of the strongest squads in the world. In the last few years, there has been a shift in the Barça philosophy too, mostly owing to the club president Josep Maria Bartomeu who seems to be adamant about doing one better over his Real Madrid counterpart Florentino Pérez. Just like Pérez was once obsessed with signing galacticos, Bartomeu has assembled a really galactico-esque squad.

Be it the midfield, goal, defense, or attack, Barcelona have the most well-stocked squad. In midfield, Rakitić competes with the likes of Sergio Busquets, Arthur Melo, and the sensation Frenkie de Jong. Even on the bench, there are quality players like Arturo Vidal and Carles Aleñá probably ahead of him in the pecking order. This is uncharted territory for Rakitić, who has always been a crucial cog in the Barcelona machinery.

With Valverde unlikely to drop younger players like Arthur and de Jong for Rakitic and Busquets clearly a valuable deputy for Barcelona, it doesn’t look like things might change anytime soon. The only way ahead is to seek a transfer during the upcoming January transfer window. Rakitic is aware of it and that could explain his recent public comments, which are quite uncharacteristic of him. Luckily for him, even Barcelona are willing to do business with any club interested, provided their valuation of about £30 million is met.

#2. United is an ideal fit for Rakitić

Manchester United midfileder Fred
Manchester United midfileder Fred

Manchester United have been far too inconsistent this season for them to be considered among the Top 4 challengers, let alone the Premier League contenders. Though impressive at times, their season has been marred by injuries to crucial players and their inability to string together a consistent winning run. The club took a new path in the off-season by getting rid of a lot of deadwood and recruiting young and exciting players. As much as the club should be praised for this approach considering the fact that all 3 new signings have been pretty impressive.

Under Ole Gunnar Solkjær, Manchester United have transformed into a pretty efficient counter-attacking side. The raw pace that Manchester United players like Martial, Rashford, and James possess, gives the side a competitive edge. United have shown this season that they are pretty capable of hurting the sides that play expansive football. As it was evident by the results against Chelsea, Tottenham and City, United can cause a lot of trouble on the counter.

However, that is exactly what is the root of United’s struggles. Their gameplay is one dimensional. Except for counter-attacking, they do not seem to have anything else in their locker. It is also a testament to Solkjær’s tactical naiveté that United struggle to break down teams that play a mid or low block. As was seen in the games against Crystal Palace, West Ham, Newcastle United and Bournemouth, teams who sit deep against United can become troublesome to United.

This issue has been aggravated by the injury to Paul Pogba, who is United’s most creative player. Without Pogba, United’s midfield of McTominay, Fred, Perreira, and Mata struggle to create much and look stifled. In Pogba’s absence, creativity has come from the link-up play between Martial, Rashford, and even James. This has been working for them currently, but can’t be relied upon for the entirety of the season.

The solution you ask? Well, who else than Rakitić. The perfect tonic to United’s midfield troubles. Rakitić could be United’s get out of jail card when facing opponents who sit deep.

#3. Rakitić playing traits

Rakitić celebrates his stunning goal vs Argentina at the 2018 World Cup
Rakitić celebrates his stunning goal vs Argentina at the 2018 World Cup

With Rakitić, United would be signing a truly world-class player who has the experience of playing in the biggest competitions with the top stars of the game. The experience that he brings to the table is exactly what a young team like United needs. The club can easily extract 2-3 years from him at the top level.

On the tactical side of things, United would be signing an expert box-to-box midfielder with immense passing abilities. His strongest trait is his versatility that makes him an ideal player to give United some stability in defense as well as occasional attacking contributions. His other qualities are stamina, spatial awareness, and impressive work rate (ideal for Solkjær’s team). He can provide a good defensive contribution and can at times make a killer through ball. Rakitić’s long-range efforts and his set-piece specialty also make him a great prospect for United.

He thus could either play as part of the double pivot in Solkjær’s 4-2-3-1 system or in the midfield three in a 4-3-3 system. His defensive contribution could also help United extract more out of Pogba, whose linkup with Martial, Rashford and James can help forge a potent attacking four. Wherever he plays, he would at least be a much-needed upgrade over either of Perreira and Mata.

Rakitic could prove to be the calming figure in the middle of the park who can control games for United. As seen in the past seasons, he also provides cover for the marauding fullbacks as an insurance against the counters.

He has won the Champions League, LaLiga, and has also been a world cup finalist with Croatia. Such an experienced player is exactly what a young team like United currently needs. He could be an extremely valuable asset in the dressing room.

Manchester United is a young sqaud and can use Rakitić's experience
Manchester United is a young sqaud and can use Rakitić's experience

Conclusion

With all that being said, it must be confessed that everything is not hunky-dory. Rakitić’s relative lack of pace could prove problematic for a pacy team like United and there could be looking at another Matić -like situation. Moreover, in Rakitić, United could be signing another box-to-box midfielder and having a similar player in Pogba could prove to negatively affect the balance of the team. One must also look at United’s past struggles with big-name players. None of Di Maria, Falcao, Schweinsteiger, Depay, Sanchez, and even Lukaku inspire any confidence among the United fans. United have already burnt their fingers in trying to chase big-name players. So, the mood would be a little hesitant in going after Rakitić too.

But in the end, the pros clearly outweigh the cons. Rakitic seems like a risk worth taking and considering his current Barcelona situation, it won’t be too much of a financial outlay either.

What do you think about it? Share your views in the comments box below. Should United be looking at signing Rakitić in January?

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Edited by rehaan díaz