Van Persie, Baines & Sahin: Who Do Manchester United Fans Really Want to Sign?

In truth, Manchester United may have already done enough this summer to ensure they compete for domestic and European glory next season.

And yet a feeling of incompleteness still lingers for many fans—as if the doomed deal for Lucas Moura needs redeeming.

A feeling that we're owed another marquee signing now that plan-A didn't materialise.

A few months ago, we were talking about Martinez, Gaitan and Modric. Now its van Persie, Baines and Sahin.

Indeed, running through the huge list of names United were linked with in the early stages of the transfer window on Manutd.com, one almost has to laugh:

"

Bryan Oviedo (FC Copenhagen)
Seydou Keita (Barcelona)
Papiss Cisse (Newcastle)
Adam Johnson (Man City)
Luka Modric (Tottenham)
Marco Fabian (Chivas)
Kevin-Prince Boateng (AC Milan)
David Alaba (Bayern Munich)
Mohamed Diame (Wigan)
Mats Hummels (Bor.Dortmund)
Robert Lewandowski (Bor.Dortmund)
Moussa Dembele (Fulham)
Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese)
Robin van Persie (Arsenal)
Jan Vertonghen (Ajax)
Leighton Baines (Everton)
Luuk de Jong (FC Twente)
Nick Powell (Crewe)
Eden Hazard (Lille)
James Rodriguez (Porto)
Gerard Pique (Barcelona)
Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao)
Shinji Kagawa (Bor.Dortmund)

"

Reading a few of the names, like Rodriguez and Asamoah, almost makes me feel nostalgic.

Reading others, like Pique and Johnson, only highlights the ridiculousness of the silly season.

At this current point in time, the list seems to have been whittled down to just two options (or maybe one if I'm being picky)—Robin van Persie and Leighton Baines.

I include Nuri Sahin's name in the article's headline, not because I believe United will sign him but because of what he represents.

Coming into this transfer window, the majority of United fans would have been quick to point out that their team's biggest weakness lay in its lack of a defensive-minded midfielder.

Reading comments those same fans have recently left on this website, that feeling has still not subsided.

Whether Sahin is a good enough option remains to be seen; some highlight Porto's Joao Moutinho as the best bet, while some say it's PSV's Kevin Strootman.

In my opinion, Moutinho is by far the best player of the three (Sahin not having played a decent game of football in over a year), and it's a real shame Sir Alex was apparently priced out of a move.

In terms of Baines, it seems that Everton's valuation was also unrealistic, which again is a shame, as he's the type of Dennis Irwin-esque player that would suit playing at Old Trafford to a tee.

Fans will just have to hope that the long-term weak spot Patrice Evra will be able to pull it together for one more season, because I fear that's all he's got left.

Now for the name du jour—Robin van Persie.

To me, the only reason United are chasing his signature is because he has openly stated he fancies a change of scenery.

If he had signed a new deal at Arsenal, there is little chance Sir Alex would be pursuing another striker right now—but his pedigree and ability seem too good to refuse.

Even though everything about a potential move rings false and completely illogical.

And yet the more I think about it, the faster my heart beats just thinking about the Dutchman in a United shirt.

With van Persie and Wayne Rooney on the team, United would have the best attack in world football beyond debate.

A near-£25 million fee and over £200,000 a week in wages is a high price to pay, but if the Red Devils top the league come next May with the duo having combined for 50 goals, few would complain then.

What do you think? Who should Man Utd sign in the next few weeks?