Will Sevilla’s Ivan Rakitic improve Manchester United's midfield?

Ivan Rakitic

In his seemingly everlasting quest to find a creative midfielder, David Moyes’ wandering eye has, according to the Mirror, strayed onto Sevilla’sIvan Rakitic. After failing to bring in Cesc Fabregas, Ander Herrera and Thiago amongst others, the Scottish manager does not seem to have satisfied his need for an attacking midfielder with the arrival of Marouanne Fellaini and Rakitic appears to be the next man on his impossibly long shortlist.

Rakitic, a Croatian international, is the captain of Sevilla and one of the club’s most high profile players. Indeed, he has been shown to be the Spanish side’s most capable man this season, attaining a Performance Score which, at 672, is more than double the next highest total in Los Rojiblancos’ side. In a Sevilla side which is placed around mid-table in La Liga, Rakitic is easily the highest performing player (he has been Squawka’s ‘top man in team’ nine times this year) and this suggests that he would be able to cope with the transition to Old Trafford should Moyes make a move.

Sevilla’s Top Performers

Sevilla’s man could be the creative force in midfield which many have claimed Man United lack this season. Renowned for his ability to pick a pass, Rakitic has created 25 chances this season, more than any of the Red Devils’ midfielders and this indicates that he would be the type of player which is not currently present in Moyes’ team. Furthermore, he’s also created more than arguably the best playmaker in the world, Andres Iniesta who has created 15 chances in 15 games. In a team like Man United, which, with all due respect to Sevilla, possesses a significantly higher calibre of player than Rakitic’s current side, the Croatian could be lethal.

Rakitic, whilst providing goalscoring opportunities, has an eye for goal as well as a pass. In his 14 appearances in the 2013-14 season, the 25-year-old has struck seven times and appears to possesses the goalscoring streak which is worth so much in a midfielder. His ratio of a goal every other game is respectable for a striker, let alone a midfielder, and as such it is apparent that Rakitic would be an excellent signing for Man United.

Rakitic is a perpetual threat against any team – he scored twice against Real Madrid and once versus Barcelona – and his ability to harm the opposition is something which Man United are lacking in the central midfield position this season. Despite the misses in the transfer market which have plagued the Red Devils under Moyes, adding Rakitic to their ranks in January would be a triumph and could be the fuel which propels Man United’s season to a thrilling finale.