Manchester United Transfer Rumours: Is Inter's Sneijder Really Right for United?

Manchester United have been hunting for Paul Scholes' replacement for most of this summer, and with good reason. The former midfield standout left a serious hole in United's midfield, as they lacked a player with his polished playmaking skills on the roster to replace him. 

Fortunately for United fans, Sir Alex Ferguson has been busy this summer looking for a replacement, ranging from Palermo's Javier Pastore to Inter Milan's Wesley Sneijder. The latter has long been a favorite of Ferguson's, and United have been kicking the tires on the 27-year-old dynamo for quite some time now. 

They had even gone so far as to make (futile) bids for his services earlier this summer, but Inter proved unwilling to part ways with their dynamic talent at that point. But, according to a report from Mirror Football, the Italian club's stance might just be softening slightly. 

According to that report, Inter are apparently willing to deal their talented playmaker, as head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has landed his replacement in Argentine youngster Ricky Alvarez. 

Even the coach admitted that if the offer was right, Sneijder would be available for a price. 

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"At the moment, Inter have every intention of keeping Sneijder," he said. "What is clear is that Sneijder is a key player. But at the same time it is difficult to predict what the situation will be in 50 or 60 days and we have to wait and see what happens."

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But, while this news all but guarantees a bid coming from Old Trafford, is Sneijder really the right man for the job? 

In terms of his level of play, it's hard to find a flaw in Sneijder. The 27-year-old has become one of the most dangerous playmakers in the sport, and is playing at a level matched by a select few midfielders on Earth. He can create chances for teammates with ease, and his vision and passing are sublime.

But, the Dutchman's not just a passer. He's got a great nose for the goal, and can put a few in the net if he needs to, much as Scholes could. He's a better defender than Scholes (whose tackling was never great, even at his best), and his skills would make him a logical candidate to replace him. 

There's really only one red flag with the 27-year-old Dutch star: his age. I realize that 27 isn't that old for a footballer, but we're talking about finding a franchise midfielder here. Sneijder is likely assured of at least five more seasons of productivity in the midfield, but that's assuming he can stay healthy. He lacks the upside of some younger players, and wouldn't provide the kind of long-term fix that a young talent would at the position. 

Even so, that concern is a minor one. Sneijder is an elite athlete, and could be capable midfielder for much longer than your average footballer. He's playing at a world-class level, and despite the hefty cost to get him (rumoured to be in the neighborhood of £35 million), Ferguson would be hard-pressed to find a better replacement for Scholes than Sneijder. He would give the entire offense a boost, and brings the competitive fire Ferguson needs in the midfield.

His talent is a perfect fit at Old Trafford, and even at 27, he figures to star for the Red Devils for quite some time. In the end, if United actually land Sneijder (and it's far from assured at this point), he gives them what they lacked last season: a dynamic, playmaking attacking midfielder, capable of creating chances for the offense and scoring goals on his own. He should thrive at Old Trafford, and should prove well worth the hefty fee to get him.