Manchester United Transfer Rumors: Coveted Ezequiel Cirigliano Would Be Good Fit

Sir Alex Ferguson has been on the hunt for young midfielders all offseason. After the team had some problems in the middle last season, the longtime Manchester United boss has attempted to make sure it won't happen again once the new campaign gets underway.

Rising star Ezequiel Cirigliano has become his latest target, according to John Cross of the Daily Mirror. The 20-year-old Argentine has also generated interest from big-spending Paris Saint-Germain and United rival Manchester City.

Cirigliano currently plays for River Plate in Argentina and has also made appearances for his home country's youth national teams. His raw ability is off the charts, so it simply comes down to gaining more experience against elite competition.

The Red Devils have already made a couple of high-profile additions to the midfield this summer. Shinji Kagawa and Nick Powell both were brought in to provide some depth to the roster. Over time their roles will become much larger than that.

It's moves like that which have become more common for Ferguson in recent years. By bringing in young players who are allowed to grow together, it normally making for an easier transition than a typical move for one of the market's big names.

Kagawa and Powell each have a bright future ahead of them, so nabbing them before they reach their productivity and value peaks will end up paying off in the long run for United.

Cirigliano would fall in the same category. He isn't prepared to step right into the starting lineup and tear up the Premier League, but if Ferguson waited that long to acquire him it would cost a lot more than the rumored £5 million.

One of the best things about Cirigliano is his versatility. Most young players are pretty locked into one position early in their careers and it takes some time before they become comfortable elsewhere in the formation.

Cirigliano is capable of playing in a defensive midfield role or can move forward and help in a distribution role as well. That will make Ferguson's job a lot easier once the midfielder is ready to make a significant impact.

The team's interest comes after talks to acquire Lucas Moura from Sao Paulo began to break down. Although Cirigliano isn't on the same level at this point, he would come at a far more reasonable price and certainly doesn't lack talent.

Ferguson would be wise to take a chance on him as he continues to build his midfield of the future. It's starting to look very promising and Cirigliano would be another nice piece.