Transfer Scouting Report: Remy Cabella: Is this the goalscoring midfielder Manchester United need?

With Manchester United struggling thus far under David Moyes, inevitable given their rather unproductive summer in the transfer market, targets are being lined up ahead of the upcoming January window.

Moyes is said to want at least two quality signings to breathe new life into his squad. According to the Metro newspaper, Montpellier’s Remy Cabella is one being considered.

The 23-year-old Frenchman was of interest to Arsenal and Inter Milan in the summer, prompting deputy-chairman Laurent Nicollin to tell Radio Monte Carlo: “The desire of the club is to keep Remy — he was told and knows this. If a club arrives and offers €100million (£84.9m), it will be discussed.”

In the end the player, who played a key role as his club won the Ligue 1 title back in 2011/2012, remained at his club and continued to grow. But the question which now arises is; how is he supposed to improve United?

Cabella is a versatile attacking midfielder, capable of playing in behind the main striker as well as on either flank. He boasts qualities that Moyes’s midfield is sorely lacking.

He was Montpellier’s best player last season according to Squawka’s Performance Score rating, earning 1,176 points. He loves roaming the field to get on the ball, and when he gets possession he is keen to take on opponents. He attempted an average of 4.4 take-ons last season and is averaging 2.6 per game thus far this season.

In addition to being tricky, he is also creative, setting up a club-high 58 chances last season, claiming eight assists, which was just five behind Marseille’s Dimitri Payet, then of Lille, who topped the league’s assist chart.

He leads the way again for Montpellier so far this campaign, creating 15 chances, recording one assist. United have looked lost for ideas in the attacking third on many occasions this season and even before that under Sir Alex Ferguson. Cabella is one player who could provide a much needed spark in that regard.

Remy Cabella’s goals from 2012/13

Remy Cabella’s goals so far in 2013/14

Cabella also has an eye for goal. He loves getting into goal-scoring positions and is not afraid to take the shot on after working an opening for himself.

He attempted an average of 1.4 per game last season and is averaging 2.3 so far this season, a sign that he has taken on more responsibility in the side as they are currently struggling with just two wins from nine games played.

He netted seven league goals last season, which was the club’s second-highest tally. With five goals already this campaign, he looks set to better that. Goals from midfield is also something that is lacking at United. Cabella would surely lend a hand in this regard.

But what is noteworthy about Cabella, besides his technical quality and vision, is the fact that he is a ‘two-way’ player, ever willing to put a defensive shift in for the good of the team.

This is something Moyes would surely appreciate. Cabella attempted an average of 2.2 tackles per game last season and is averaging 2.6 per game so far this season, showing priceless unselfishness and team spirit.

How Cabella has fared in his duels so far this campaign

So, it has been established that Cabella is a fine all-round player. But, where does he fit in at United? His best position is centrally behind the striker, but that is where Wayne Rooney plays and he is in fine form at the moment.

This is where Cabella’s versatility comes in. He can play on either side of Rooney, coming in off the flank to link up with him, Robin van Persie, and others.

Ideally, he could feature on the left flank, where Ashley Young is continuing to struggle. Shinji Kagawa has also played there, but Moyes doesn’t trust the Japan international and the player’s future at the club is far from certain.

Adnan Januzaj, meanwhile, had an outstanding first start on that flank versus Sunderland, netting the two goals which ultimately won United the game, but he shouldn’t be relied upon too heavily at this stage of his career.

That said, Moyes could rotate the Frenchman and Januzaj, making for fine competition between the two and good overall quality on the left flank.

The reported fee of £15 million isn’t bad for a player who is very highly rated in France, given today’s market. He should make a decent signing for the Red Devils, but he shouldn’t be the only signing made.

Having watched his new club struggle for form thus far, Moyes would be very much aware of that.