Manchester United Transfer Gossip: Why Reds Must Sign Wesley Sneijder

Manchester United has been linked with Wesley Sneijder since the summer window. His recent statement concerning the transfer saga with the club should be real cause for optimism amongst United fans.

The Red Devils have been linked with a variety of attacking players, but Wesley Sneijder is the best bet.

Eden Hazard may be moving to England but he may not be the right fit for the team, Mario Gotze is extremely talented but committed to his team and both Christian Eriksen and Alan Dzagoev will be tough to prise away as well.

It’s simple, really. Wesley Sneijder, at 27, has more experience than all the centrally placed midfielders in Manchester United’s stable—minus Paul Scholes. He would be third on the list of all midfielders behind both Scholes and Welshman Ryan Giggs.

Sneijder has won titles in Holland, Spain and Italy as well as across Europe and an Intercontinental trophy. He is arguably the best attacking midfielder on show, his current form with Inter notwithstanding.

The Dutch playmaker would give Manchester United the piece it has missed this season until Paul Scholes came along.

Interestingly enough, the issue with Scholes, coupled with the growing reputation of Tom Cleverley, is probably the most intriguing problem in this little saga.

Scholes’ return has coincided with improved Manchester United performances and, though it would be unfair to the rest of the team to say that he is the sole cause, his impact has been important.

He has shown in the few games since his return that he may have retired a season too early and Sir Alex Ferguson may be tempted into trying to persuade him into one more year.

That year would not necessarily see him play an influential role, but he could act as a continued mentor to Tom Cleverley as the player gets a full grip on life as the Manchester United orchestrator.

Cleverley was in pretty good form himself at the start of the season and his performances were also a pretty big part of the club’s good run during that time.

Should Manchester United trust the youngster over one the premier attacking midfielders in the game?

No.

Cleverley is only 22 years old and could learn a thing or two from the Dutchman. Sneijder would give United at least three to four good years and decrease the creative burden from Wayne Rooney in the process.

Cleverley would and should not be reduced to being a bit-part player as a result. His continued growth is still imperative to United's future and Sir Alex Ferguson would make sure he gets the games he needs.

However, Sneijder would enable the club to increase its strength in depth and field one of the most formidable attacking teams in Europe—not that they aren’t already pretty good.

With three of the best wingers in the world, a solid defensive midfielder in the form of Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney partnered with one of many productive partners, teams would fear this Manchester United attack.

Wesley Sneijder should be a top target for the club in the summer. The last two Dutchmen to join and then leave the club, Edwin Van der Sar and Ruud Van Nistelrooy, were major parts in the team’s successes during their respective runs at the club.

Sneijder would have the same impact with this squad, especially considering all he has done in his career.