Bayern Munich completed the signing of James Rodriguez from Real Madrid last week, snatching the Colombian from under the noses of Manchester United.
The Premier League club had reportedly agreed to terms with the 25-year-old. However, Carlo Ancelotti and the Bundesliga champions came in at the 11th hour to secure a two-year loan with the option to buy in 2019.
Reports suggested that United would have bought the playmaker outright, and so the Old Trafford may have dodged a bullet given the rumoured £70 million fee, but surely, like Bayern, they could have negotiated a loan deal with an option to buy – a win for both parties.
Here’s why Manchester United should have continued their pursuit of Rodriguez.
#1 Tapping into the South American market via shirt sales
For a club of Manchester United’s stature, it’s safe to say they haven’t had too many South Americans play for the club. An article by Bleacher Report in 2014 suggested that Rodrigo Possebon was in the Top 10 South Americans to play for the Red Devils – he played just three games in the Premier League.
The biggest and most successful South American names to play for the Red Devils include Gabriel Heinze, Juan Sebastian Veron and Carlos Tevez – the last being arguably the greatest. You could throw Angel di Maria in there, but he didn’t have the best of spells.
Throw James Rodriguez in there and Manchester United have a marketable superstar. The shirt sales alone would surely pay for half of his transfer fee, with the 25-year-old being the biggest name in Colombian football in the past decade.
Manchester United would have grown their reach within Colombia which is something Bayern Munich will now certainly profit from. A missed opportunity for Manchester United.
#2 Manchester United desperately need a No. 10
Wayne Rooney’s return to Everton has paved a way for someone to come in and play behind the front line. Although Henrikh Mkhitaryan enjoyed his best football at Borussia Dortmund just behind the forward, he’s featured predominantly on the right under Jose Mourinho.
They could play Juan Mata there, but we all know Mourinho isn’t his biggest fan and as a result, we’ve often seen Marouane Fellaini sitting behind the striker. The arrival of James Rodriguez certainly could’ve spiced up the Red Devils’ attack.
Manchester United have struggled creatively arguably since Sir Alex Ferguson retired from management. They’ve tried and tried with various options but not many of them have paved off. Rodriguez’s stats alone speak for his playmaking abilities whilst his defence-splitting balls are definitely something United could have done with.
#3 Pogba, Rodriguez and Lukaku would have created a great spine
There’re not many clubs in European football that can throw money around like Manchester United do, barring the obvious – Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Manchester City. Yes, we’ve seen AC Milan spend a large amount, but spread over five players. The same can’t be said for Jose Mourinho.
Last season they broke the transfer record to re-sign Paul Pogba from Juventus, whilst this season we’ve seen them splash £75 million on Everton’s Romelu Lukaku.
However, playing James Rodriguez between Pogba and Lukaku is what dreams are made of. Real Madrid have Luka Modric, Marco Asensio and Cristiano Ronaldo – Bayern Munich have Arturo Vidal, Thiago Alcantara and Robert Lewandowski – the No. 10 is something United have been missing whilst Rodriguez could’ve been that player they desperately need to create a spine at the Old Trafford outfit.
#4 Has the potential to achieve big things
What Manchester United and Jose Mourinho missed out on is Bayern Munich and Carlo Ancelotti’s gain. The Colombian has, of course, played under the three-time Champions League winner before at Real Madrid, which saw him produce some of his best football.
There’s talk in Germany that Rodriguez could perhaps even keep Thomas Muller out of the team, who had a below-par season in 2016/17 by his standards. Even though being inconsistent so far in his career, the Colombian has shown time and again that he is the real deal.
Rodriguez will no doubt be marked on how well he does in the Champions League. A major trophy that Bayern Munich hope to win once again. The Colombian is certainly a player who possesses the right attributes to help the Bundesliga club achieve that.
#5 Missing out on the best midfielder in the current market
In today’s market, there’s not many creative midfielders on it. Yes, Manchester United have the money to buy practically anyone they wish – but there’s a point where every player has their upper price.
A name that Manchester United have been linked with is Radja Nainggolan of AS Roma however, at 29-years-old, the Premier League club surely should’ve made a move for James Rodriguez.
The Belgian has had a brilliant season at Roma playing just behind Edin Dzeko, scoring 11 Serie A goals in 37 but at 29, Nainggolan isn’t getting any younger.
