The 5-3 loss to Leicester City really did sum up all of the problems at Manchester United in just 90 minutes. Initially all started well as Louis van Gaal’s band of attacking stars raced into a 2-0 lead, and even with Leonardo Ulloa finding the net before half-time, the Red Devils once again restored their two goal cushion through Ander Herrera.
From there it looked as if a second win in two games was on, but United’s woeful backline cost them again. Rafael gave away a penalty – scored by David Nugent – before chaos at the back allowed Esteban Cambiasso to net a quick-fire equaliser. From there Jamie Vardy once again tore Tyler Blackett and Chris Smalling apart to give the Foxes the lead, which was then followed by a red card for the former and a second penalty – which Ulloa converted.
It’s abundantly clear that LvG will need to spend again in January to address the problems he overlooked during the summer, so here are FIVE players he could turn to…
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CLICK ON KEVIN STROOTMAN TO REVEAL THE FIVE
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It could be worse Nando, you could be one of these guys…
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Mats Hummels
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Hummels remains the pipedream at United. The German World Cup winner is widely seen as the very best centre-back in European football right now, and was the subject of interest from Old Trafford over the summer.
Dortmund are adamant that they will not sell – given that Marco Reus could be leaving next year – but a big, big offer could tempt them. Van Gaal may be keen to throw £30m+ at the centre-back in a bid to sort out his rearguard issues, and it looks likely that such a decision could wise.
Kevin Strootman
Daley Blind has looked okay in a defensive midfield role since his switch from Ajax, but a specialist in the position would surely give United more protection. Strootman is seen as the top target, with LVG known to be a big fan of the Roma ace.
Should he return from his long-term knee injury successfully, a bid in January is expected, which the Italian side may well accept. Combative and energetic, Strootman has all the traits missing in United’s engine room.
Arturo Vidal
The big saga of the summer may once again re-open in January. United chased the Chilean right up to the deadline, but were ultimately unable to prise him from Juventus’ tight grasp.
Not an orthodox holding midfielder, Vidal provides energy from a deep role in the engine room, and would certainly be of use to Van Gaal – who has nobody of his ilk in the position just in front of the backline. A troublesome knee injury could be a problem though.
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Santiago Arias
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If ever proof was needed that Rafael is not the right man to be starting at full-back for United it came as Vardy brushed him off of the ball at the King Power Stadium. The Brazilian felt aggrieved at the fact he was not granted a free-kick and charged back to trip the Foxes forward in the box. Penalty.
A new right-back may be a wise addition, and one name to have been mentioned is PSV Eindhoven’s Santiago Arias. The Colombian is widely seen as one of the Eredivisie’s top stars in his position, and has been earning praise for both his attacking ability and composure heading towards his own goal for some time.
Ron Vlaar
Big, strong and commanding, Vlaar has the attributes almost all of United’s centre-back options are without. He may not have pace, but the 29-year-old would be able to drill the backline and iron out some of the rookie mistakes being made by the likes of Phil Jones, Blackett and Smalling.
Furthermore, ‘Concrete Ron’ has worked with Van Gaal at international level during the impressive World Cup showing the Oranje put in over the summer.