Manchester United Keen On Daryl Janmaat After World Cup Performance

Daryl Janmaat may have attracted the attention of Manchester United scouts after what has been described as a very impressive performance in the Dutch team world cup opening match against Spain.  Talking totalkSPORTS, Ronald de Boer said “Janmaat is a great attacking full-back. I see him a little bit like Dani Alves. He can go along the side for 90 minutes with ease. He is also good defensively. He is a modern right-full back.”

Manchester United’s need for reinforcement in their defence has been very well document. However, not much has been said about any urgent need for a right full back where Rafael Da Silva plays. He has been United’s right full back since Sir Ferguson’s era. Over the years, he has been in fantastic form when he is fit to play and that doesn’t happen very often as he is constantly in and out of injuries. Last season, he had only 22 appearances in all competitions leaving Smalling and sometimes Phil Jones to stand-in as right full back. His inconsistent form could certainly push United to buy another right full back.

The 24-year-old Feyenoord Janmaat defender is capable of playing as right full back and on the right side of the midfield. He is very strong on the ball and is known for his passing range and very attack conscious. He has consistently featured in his team’s attack drive. Last season, he got 2 goals and 5 assists in 30 appearances for his team. Janmaat has had 16 appearances for the Holland national team and is with the squad in Brazil for the 2014 World Cup. He was one of the main actors when the Netherlands destroyed Spain in their first world cup game 3 days ago.

Skysportsunderstands that “The Eredivisie side are refusing to give up on their efforts to keep both men on their books, but have accepted that the pair are eager to explore their options when the transfer window re-opens”. It thus appears that they may be moving away from the club this summer with Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal joining United in the race to bring him to England. An initial transfer fee of £6.5 million has been mentioned but the club could cash in on a bidding war to make more off the player.

Janmaat is a player United should move to snatch away from the market. His entry into the team would increase the team’s options in the right full back allowing Smalling and Jones to concentrate on central defence. His overlapping runs could eliminate United’s need to field a winger on the right side thus favouring Van Gaal’s 4-3-3 system.

United fans who watch him unsettle the Spanish team in their opening world cup match would be expecting to see him in a United shirt next season.

Any Future For Ryan Giggs As Manchester United Manager?

Ryan Joseph Giggs OBE is a Manchester United legend from whatever point we look at it. The 40-year-old Welshman, who played his last game for United in April this year, joined the club in 1987 but had his debut in 1990 in United’s home game against Everton. By the time he retired last May, he had made an astounding 963 appearances and scored 168 goals; scoring at least one goal in each season since his debut.

He has earned the respect of players and staff at Old Trafford through his career spanning 27 years. He is by far the most decorated player in English history. As a United player, he has won 13 Premier League medals, 4 F.A Cup medals, 3 League Cup medals and 2 Champions League medals. In 1992 and 1993, he became the first English player to win two consecutive Young Player of the Year Award. On and off the pitch, he has distinguished himself as a highly disciplined and resourceful personality. Throughout his Manchester United career, he never got a red card.

Beside Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton, no one else knows Manchester United as well as Ryan Giggs does.  He worked closely with Sir Alex Ferguson as a player and would certainly have learned a few on the job strategies and skills from his former boss. During David Moyes brief spell as United manager, he reported described Giggs as a ‘freak” after Giggs helped steer the team through to the quarter finals of the Champions League’.  His experience in United affairs is a huge asset should he decide to take any further role in the club. Added to this is his, he has taken a UEFA Coaching course and became‘the first man to complete his UEFA Pro Licence during his playing days’ as reported by The Daily Mail. He has therefore shown intent to become a manager and possibly take over the Manchester United manager’s job one day.

As United Interim Manager after the Moyes era, he received the backing of Sir Ferguson and those of a number of Club officials who have known him and watched him transform from a young boy of 13 to a man of 40. The Telegraph reported that at a fundraising dinner in Manchester, Sir Ferguson said ‘I think that he [Giggs] is the one man they should go to really. He’s got 20-odd years of experience at Manchester United. I signed him as a kid at 13 years of age. He’s gone through the gamut of emotions at the club – he’s experienced all the highs and lows. He knows exactly what’s needed to be a Manchester United player…’

Is he ripe yet to take on a club as big as Manchester United? Many would not agree but a consensus can be reached that United should turn to him sometime in the future; in the same way as some big clubs are now doing: Liuz Enrique in Barcelona and Zidane in Real Madrid.

Nicolas Gaitan Puts Spurs, Manchester United on Alert

Argentine international and Benfica midfielder Nicolas Gaitan has announced that he may be open to a transfer to other leagues with Tottenham and Manchester United his preferred destinations. Jose Iribarren, the player’s agent declared that though he had previously made up his mind not to leave Benfica during this transfer window; he has had a change of mind and would be open to moving to the English Premier League “If a potential buyer makes an offer that interests Benfica, we will carefully consider it”, Speaking further to the Express, he vowed to “put the club first, to help with their serious problems”alluding to the club dire financial situation of the club.

Several reports claim that Benfica are willing to sell the player should the right monetary offer which will enable them sort some of their own financial problems arrive for the player. There has been no official statement from the Benfica, so it remains to be seen if the club will be willing to let him go or if they will explore alternative avenues to resolve their financial situation. No transfer fee has been place on him making all of these mere speculations.

All these notwithstanding, the player has been on the radar of some top European clubs notably Manchester United, Tottenham, Liverpool and Zenit Saint Petersburg managed by former Tottenham boss, Andre Villas Boas. Mauricio Pochettino, Tottenham’s new manager has already indicated interest in bring his fellow countryman to the English Premier League. Whether Gaitan would eventually leave Benfica this summer and where he could end up are still speculations. The player’s potential impact in any of his preferred destinations could prove very vital.

Louis van Gaal’s perception of Gaitan has not been widely publicised and the Dutch may end up not making the move to bring the player to Old Trafford. According to Whoscored, He can play in a few midfield positions: left hand side of the midfield, attacking midfield from the left and the centre. He has speed which can fittingly complement an attacking formation.

He can play as a winger and an attacking midfielder, the same position for which Alexis Sanchez and Angel Di Maria can play and are players that interested United’s Dutch manager according to reports. Last season, he made 42 appearances for his club and got 6 goals. He has been very consistent for his club. Personally I will prefer us to go for the bigger names in Di Maria, Alexis Sanchez and Pedro ( if the reports linking us to them are true ) . However, should United not succeed in bringing in Sanchez and or Di Maria, they could likely turn attention to Nicolas Gaitan.

Louis Van Gaal: Manchester United A “Healthy Distraction”

Louis Van Gaal like any coach at the world cup in Brazil right now, is a man under some pressure. On his shoulders lie the hopes of the Dutch team, a team thought to be perennial under-achievers, a description they have shared with the Spanish team until Spain won the world cup four years ago in South Africa. But Van Gaal is not new pressure; he has spent the better part of the last 3 decades of his life managing pressure from football competitions both at the world stage and at the European level.

Writing in The Mirror, David McDonnell in Brazil quotes Van Gaal as saying ‘the world cup is a championship clubs don’t take part in, so I am fully focused on the national team. Distraction? It may be a distraction…you can’t just focus monotonously on the world cup, so perhaps Manchester United was a good distraction. You can’t be fully focused on football for five weeks.” Holland opened their world cup campaign with the same team they ended it with four years ago: Spain! The Dutch team lost by one goal to Spain in the finals of the world cup four years ago but have now avenged the loss of 4 years ago by playing the favourites Spain 5-1. However, with Chile winning against Australia, nothing is guaranteed in the group just yet even though the Dutch have given themselves a massive chance of progressing with the win over Spain yesterday.

Added to this is the pressure of what looks like a transfer business in shambles at Old Trafford. The club would have loved to have sealed at least one or two deals before the start of the world cup but that has appeared to be an impossible task so far. And, expectedly, whether Van Gaal admits it or not, it is a source of massive pressure on any coach. A club in dire need of reinforcement is seemingly lagging behind while teams such as Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea that finished in the top four have already brought in fresh legs. It is understood that Manchester United’ new manager has handed Ed Woodward a list of his summer targets but unfortunately, all fans have heard this summer have been rumours and speculations which have seen Manchester United’s targets head elsewhere. This is bound to be very strange for United fans and may be to Van Gaal himself. So, admittedly, Van Gaal will be under some pressure from both country duties and United responsibilities.

Van Gaal would probably have learned that it is important to try to multi task on both jobs if he is to get the kind of players that will help him start his Old Trafford career on a sound note.

Manchester United Favourite To Sign Belgian Star

Arsenal out of favour Captian, Thomas Vermaelen featured only 14 times during the last league campaign for his team. In recent times, Wenger had favoured the central defensive pair of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny. According to The DailyStar, Manchester United may be leading the race to sign the Belgian defender who is currently in Brazil with the Belgian team.

Manchester United was dealt a big blow when two of its defence generals left the club at the end of last season. Namanja Vidic moved to Inter Milan and Rio Ferdinand saw his contract run out with the club refusing to engage him in new contract talks or extension. Both men have marshaled United’s defence over the years, helping the team win competitions. Their departure has left the team with a largely inexperienced and ineffective trio comprising Johnny Evans, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones. Lately, Evans and Jones have been in and out of injury, the later may indeed still be nursing a shoulder injury even though he is with the England team in Brazil. Besides this failing, they are still thought to be players of the future. It is therefore inevitable for United to seek to bring in some reinforcement as Van Gaal rebuilds the team.

Vermaelen has been identified as a possible replacement for Vidic. The 28-year old Belgian has only a year left in his contract and may leave on a free transfer next year. It is understood that Arsenal are unlikely to open contract talks with him and may in fact be willing to let him go this year so as to be able to make some money from his sale. This time, Wenger, the Arsenal manager, may actually be favourably disposed to selling his player to United unlike what happen with Van Persie two years ago when his hands were forced.

Though side-lined in Arsenal, Vermaelen is no less a fantastic defender and may still add some value to the United defence. Though 28, United could still get another 5 years of active football from him. He has excellent sense of anticipation and a quick response rate. Last season, with just 14 appearances, he had one assist indicating his tendency to join the attack when he can get cover at the back.

United may still have to starve off threat from Juventus and Fiorentina who have also shown interest in taking the player to Italy.

Alexis Sanchez Set To Become A Manchester United Player?

This week has witnessed multiple reports in the media fuelling speculations that United may have joined Liverpool and Arsenal in the race to sign the £20 million rated Barcelona striker and winger, Alexis Sanchez. According to reports, newly appointed manager, Luis Enrique, may have earmarked the Chilean international for sale as he prepares to restructure his team.

There has never been any doubt about the quality the player possesses and though he may no longer be needed at the Nou Camp, he is a prolific winger and striker; the number of top European clubs racing for his signature is a confirmation of that. Whenever he is selected to play for the team, he has always justified his inclusion. There has been no official confirmation yet from United that a formal enquiry or bid has been made for the player, but there are already strong speculations that that United will compete with Liverpool to sign Sanchez. Should he arrive at Old Trafford, which players would have to go for him?

Sanchez is a prolific striker cum winger who can play on both sides of the wing. At Old Trafford, Sanchez would most probably be deployed to play in the wings because of the abundance of talents who can play upfront. Robin Van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez and Welbeck all possess goal scoring talents.

If Louis van Gaal opt to play Sanchez from the wings, right or left, then Ashley Young may no longer be needed in the team. Unfortunately for Young, his current form, especially last season could make his an easy decision for van Gaal to make. Although Young has the versatility of being able to play from the right as well as from the left, his crosses and impact on team performance has not been fantastic. Louis Nani is another player van Gaal may axe. With only five appearances last season and without any goal or assist, Nani’s with United seems to be coming to an end. Well, long overdue if you ask me.

Shinji Kagawa is a player with abundant football skills but sadly, he hasn’t been given enough playing time at United. With Rooney and Mata playing behind Van Persie, he may continue to feel frustrated on the bench, unless of course Van Gaal finds a place for him. Another player who may have his place threatened if Sanchez’ transfer to Old Trafford pulls through is Danny Welbeck whose performance especially under David Moyes has been epileptic.

All these are of course speculations and United may not eventually sign Sanchez. During this summer transfer window, almost every quality player has been linked to the team with Ed Woodward, Executive Vice-Chairman still struggling to sign the 18-year-old Southampton left back.   

Is Miranda A Fitting Replacement For Vidic, Ferdinand?

The exit of Namanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand from Manchester United is bound to leave a hole in the team’s defence. Vidic has moved to Inter Milan and Ferdinand has been informed by the United hierarchy that his contract which ran out at the end of last season would not be renewed. Both players had formed one of the strongest defence pairings in the Premier League. As replacement, United have been linked to a number of Europe’s top defenders with Joao Miranda of Atletico Madrid recently fueling speculations that United may have made discrete enquiries about him.

The 29-year –old defender who was left out of the Brazilian squad for the 2014 world cup has been in sparkling form for his club and together with Diego Godin, has formed what many have described as a water-tight defence partnership for the Diego Simeone’s side which won the La Ligaand lost out in the final of the Champions League to Real Madrid. He is an experienced defender who could possibly improve the quality of United’s defence which has now been left to the legs of Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling all of whom have not been in perfect form recently.

Multiple media outlets notably The Daily Mail have quoted the Atletico Madrid defender as saying that he has received multiple offers from across Europe "I have some offers and we are negotiating.I have offers from Spanish and English leagues and from some less important ones too.My agent is in Europe to decide my future; my buy-out fee at Atletico Madrid is €30million but that can be negotiated.” His words make no explicit mention of Manchester United, speculations in the media have linked him to United long before now. Perhaps, more information and transfer activities would follow this statement in coming days or weeks.

United certainly need to reinforce their defence but whether Miranda is the right man to do this is a question only new manager, Louis van Gaal can answer. Europe is not short of quality defenders and a manager of van Gaal’s experience sure knows this. At 29, Miranda may not hold a lot of attraction for United who have always preferred younger players. Bruno Martins Indi and Mats Hummels are younger alternatives that United have been linked with. Should it become difficult to land either or both of them, it is possible that van Gaal may look in the direction of Miranda. This is not to take anything from the quality defender who has proved his worth with 52 appearances for his side last season.

Considering Van Persie’s success at United, Miranda who is about the same age with him when he was signed, may downgrade the importance of the age theory in United’s transfer policy.