Manchester United under Louis van Gaal are struggling in 5th position in the English Premier League, behind rivals Manchester City. They were also knocked out in the group stages of the Champions League in what was a relatively easy group.
As things stand, they will fail to make it to the Champions League spots for the second time in three seasons.They have also been knocked out of the Europa League by arch rivals Liverpool.
This has been the result of underwhelming performances by expensive new signings who have flopped and the inadequacies in the squad haven’t been filled. The squad has been laid bare by injuries so much that manager Louis van Gaal has repeatedly had to look to the youth setup to make up the first team.
Manchester United are in dire need of an overhaul and desperately need to bolster their squad with some world class talent.
United fans are used to see their club challenging for top honours, not fighting for the fourth place ala Arsenal. Here are five signings which could take United back to where they belong, fighting for titles in Europe and England.
1) Mats Hummels
The first choice centre-back pairing at Manchester United this season has been Chris Smalling and Daley Blind. While Daley Blind has adapted well to his new position, he is not a centre-back by trade.
This has happened inspite of the presence of the perennially injured Phil Jones in the squad, about whom Sir Alex Ferguson once said: “He could be our best player ever”. He has not lived up to the billing and his performances when fit does not inspire much confidence.
The Red Devils are in need of world class quality in central defence. Borussia Dortmund captain Mats Hummels would be the perfect buy. Naturally calm on the ball for a centre-back, he is commanding in the air and also starts attacks by carrying the ball out of defence, making him ideal for transitions between attack and defence.
Hummels’ Borussia Dortmund contract runs out in 2017. With one year left on his contract, this is the perfect window of opportunity to buy a player who claimed to be honoured by the Red Devils interest in him last season. Although he opted to stay at Dortmund last year, he said that he might consider his position next season.
2) Gregory van der Wiel
The Dutch right-back seems to be second choice to Ivorian Serge Aurier at Paris Saint-Germain. Defensively solid, the Ajax academy graduate would be an upgrade on both, Matteo Darmian and Antonio Valencia, who is not a full back by trade in the first place.
Van der Wiel is rumoured to be looking for a new club. Manchester United should recognize his talent and sign him before its too late.
Matteo Darmian was supposed to be the solution at right back in place of the erratic Rafael but it has not worked out for him at Manchester United. Initially likened to Gary Neville, it has gone downhill for him at Old Trafford as evidenced by the three goals conceded after he came on as a substitute in that disastrous match against Tottenham.
3) Riyad Mahrez
While Manchester United have a great tradition of speedy and skillful wingers like Ryan Giggs ,Cristiano Ronaldo and George Best, the current team lacks the dynamic speed and trickery on the wings. Memphis Depay was brought in to remedy this but he seems to be more focused on partying rather than football.
Leicester winger Riyad Mahrez is the ideal candidate to fulfill these attacking traditions. He has decimated Premier League defences this season with speed, skills and trickery, scoring 16 goals and providing 11 assists in 32 appearances this season.
Mahrez’s trickery and fleet-footedness would give a much needed cutting edge to the Manchester United attack which has looked useless at times this season. They have only scored 1.2 goals per game as per whoscored.com.
4) Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Manchester United seem to be a match made in heaven. Wayne Rooney is woefully out of form and does not seem to be performing. Manchester United are struggling to score goals and who better to provide it than the evergreen Swede.
Zlatan is out of contract at Paris Saint-Germain this season and will be looking for a new club. He has won the league in every country he has played in, with the Premier League missing from his trophy cabinet, signing Zlatan would be a good omen for United.
The 34-year-old brings a guarantee of goals and United wouldn’t be taking much of a risk as he would be signed as a free agent especially after considering the hugely expensive gamble they took on Falcao.
5) Jose Mourinho
If Manchester United want to bring in a title against the likes Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp, there is only one man they should sign. Jose Mourinho brings with him a guarantee of success even if it is only in the short term. He stays at a club for three years, wins the league, maybe the Champions League and leaves the club in turmoil.
Mourinho has brought stupendous success at each of the clubs he has managed although he has not lasted more than three years at any of them. He comes with a short-term focus on winning titles and not necessarily team building.
The Louis van Gaal reign has been characterised by boring football and some poor results although his focus on youth development must be lauded. If winning the Premier league title is the aim, Jose Mourinho will win it for the Red Devils.
