Ask any Manchester United fan what the transfer priority is this summer, and most will reply with a resounding “Centre Midfield”. In fact, for the last two summers, the general consensus has been that we are in desperate need of a creative midfielder, one who can dictate play and add a creative dimension to the team. Given the recent retirement of the legendary Paul Scholes, this issue has surely moved to the top of Sir Alex’s agenda.
Yes we have some very good players in midfield. Darren Fletcher, who many claimed would have made a huge difference in the Champions League final 2009, is a solid performer and brings energy and bite to the midfield. Ryan Giggs has excelled in the centre, but his recent performance against Barcelona showed that age is finally creeping up on him. Anderson has improved tremendously this season, but there are serious doubts about his fitness- the man is treading a very thin line between chubby and ripped. And finally there is Michael Carrick, no doubt of his quality when he is on form, but those rare days have been few and far between in the last few seasons. Regardless, Carrick has the trust of the manager so I expect he will be a regular fixture next season.
But could any of those players walk into another top side in Europe and command a first team place? Fletcher perhaps, could enhance a decent Premier League side, but he wouldn’t get a look in at the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid. The main ambition for this club now, has to be European success, but do we have the midfield to overcome Barcelona? Being brutally honest, the answer is no.
There have been various names linked with the club but the same three have been cropping up consistently: Luka Modric, Samir Nasri and Wesley Sneijder. No doubt all three are quality players, but which option represents the best move for the club, both tactically and financially?
Luka Modric
When it comes to midfielders, there are few better in the Premier League than Luka Modric. The 25 year old Croatian playmaker is probably the only traditional centre midfielder of the three. Excellent in possession, a master of finding and creating space and a very hard working player to boot, Modric would be a terrific addition to the squad. He is already proven in the Premier League and is comfortable in our favoured 4-4-2 formation, so would need little time to adapt to playing for Manchester United. The only downside is that Modric has only contributed 5 Premier League assists since the start of the 2009-10 season (Opta), a surprising statistic given that our new signing Ashley Young, claimed 11 last season alone.
Of the three, Modric seems the least likely to join us. The player himself has already stated a desire to stay in London – “I want to stay in London. I am very happy here and so are my family. I like the city.”And Spurs will be very reluctant to sell their prize asset to Manchester United, given the history involving Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Carrick.
Samir Nasri
Having just turned 24, Nasri is the youngest of the three to be linked with us. Stellar performances for Arsenal last season earned him a nomination for the PFA Players’ Player of The Year award and he was undoubtedly Arsenal’s key man last season. Nasri is a tricky player with excellent close control and a keen eye for goal, chipping in with 10 for Arsenal last term. He would provide us with some much needed goals from midfield and would represent the best value, but I am not convinced he is the perfect fit. Nasris’s favoured position is on the left or in the playmaker role behind the strikers, and would he really be happy slotting into a 4 man midfield, where any player would be expected to fulfill defensive duties?
Reputable football journalists are adamant that Manchester United are very keen to secure Nasri’s signature, but the main issue would be convincing Arsenal to sell to their main title rival. The player himself has declared – “We already earn huge wages. The priority is to make a big career and to win titles” and taking this statement at face value, Manchester United are the club that can easily match his ambitions. Do not be surprised however, if the lure of obscene amounts of money persuades Nasri to join City or Chelsea.
Wesley Sneijder
Wesley Sneijder is arguably the finest player of the three. Having won La Liga, Serie A and the Champions League, there is no questioning his pedigree. Sneijder is a midfielder capable of dictating any game with his superb passing and vision. He is also two footed and considered to be somewhat of a free-kick specialist.
Like Nasri however, Sneijder does not strike me as a perfect fit for Manchester United. His favoured and most effective position is in the hole between midfield and attack, a position Wayne Rooney is fond of dropping into. Furthermore, Sneijder is not famed for being a hard working player, often frustrating Inter Milan fans due to his refusal to track back and defend, something which is essential in the Premier League. Sneijder would also cost the most out of the 3 with a market value of £35 million and reported wages of £200k a week. Is it wise in the current economic climate, to buy a 27 year old player for £35 million, given that his re-sale value can only decrease?
So, when deciding which player we should buy, there are pros and cons to be considered. The safest option would be Luka Modric, the cheapest option would be Samir Nasri and if pedigree is the main deciding factor, Wesley Sneijder is your man.
Follow me on Twitter at @stephenbusby88 or leave some comments if you want to discuss this article.
i absolutely agree with you! This one of the best sincere write up about the current situation we are facing in the midfield position! I sincerely hope that out of the three if we cant get nasir cause modric would be very difficult and snidier would be passing his prime within the next few years so let get nasir or continue our search for an ideal replacement!
I just think £35M for a 27 year old is a bit much. Modric would be ideal but the price would be too high and Spurs wont sell. Leaves us with Nasri, who is no doubt a class act. Interesting to see what happens now.
Three things:
1) According to ESPN, Young had 10 league assists & Nani had 14. Of the rest of the top 20+ virtually all were either wingers, attacking from the flanks or centre forwards already in the box. Only Cesc Fabregas made double figures in assists as a central midfielder. Charlie Adam and Rafael van der Vart had 8, Giggs and the always underrated Fletcher, playing for half the season, had 6. Chris Brunt switched from the left wing to the middle for West Brom in mid-season and his assist total remained frozen at 9.
So, don’t be surprised by Modric’s low number. It’s just too difficult to unlock a Premier league defence by coming throught the front door.
2) When do you pay top dollar for a player if not when they’re 27, at the peak of their powers combining skill, athleticism and experience in as total a package as they will ever have? Do it too early and you could look a fool when they don’t mature. Do it too late and you’ve overspent for a player whose best is behind him.
3) Why does Sneijder look a bit like Rooney in that photo?
Hi Martin
I will reply to all 3 of your points in turn!
1) Having looked into the Young assists further, i have found different sources saying 10 and 11. I can only assume one assist is “dubious” and some sources don’t credit it with him. My point however remains that Modric’ assist stats are not impressive. You raise the point about centre midfielders not being known for their assists, but it’s my view that if you are going to splash out that much cash for a player like Modric, you would kinda hope his assist stats was better.
2) Sneijder may be at the top of his game now, but is £35M not just a bit too steep for a player whose value will only plummet. I agree he would be a terrific signing, but i’m not sure the finances of the deal are good for the club. I would take Sneijder in a heartbeat, i was merely pointing out the pros and cons of each player.
3) That wasn’t deliberate, but i feel sorry for Sneijder if he looks like Wayne. No doubt a genius on the pitch, but let’s face it, he won’t be gracing the cover of Vanity Fair anytime soon.
Cheers for your views Martin, i wanted to spark some debate with this article!
if these player are the best then where is SCHWEINSTEIGER
man u should buy neymar