Why Seamus Coleman Is the 1 Everton Player Manchester United Would Like to Sign
Manchester United take on Everton on Sunday, but of all the players turning out for Roberto Martinez’s men, Seamus Coleman would be the best fit for United’s current squad.
Of course, Everton have plenty of talent in their ranks, but much of it lies in areas where United are already well-equipped.
Ross Barkley clearly has masses of potential but plies his trade as an attacking midfielder, not something United are not short of.
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Given United’s central-defensive woes, it is quite tempting to choose one of Everton’s centre-halves. England international he may be, but Phil Jagielka’s form has been patchy for the Toffeemen this season, barring his stunning goal against Liverpool.
Although United do need experience at the back, Jagielka’s age also counts against him—at 32 years old, it is possible he has passed his peak.
John Stones would have been another option, but United are well stocked with young, upcoming defenders, and so a defender in his prime gets the nod.
Although Rafael’s form at right-back has recently improved, United lack cover there. With Antonio Valencia not a natural in the role—and struggling for form—it is an area of the squad that would be well served by some improvement.
Coleman fits the bill nicely.
He has certainly fit the bill at Everton. Under David Moyes, a decent 2010/11 season saw him find the net four times in the league. The subsequent season he battled injury, returning to regular first-team football in 2012/13.
In that season, Moyes’ last at Everton, Coleman made a career-high average of 2.6 tackles and 1.9 interceptions per league game. He also made an average of one key pass per league game and contributed five assists.
Last season, under Martinez, Coleman rediscovered his goal-scoring touch and made himself indispensable to fans of Fantasy Football. He scored six goals in the league and contributed two assists.
His defensive statistics were not as impressive as they had been the previous season but still stack up well when compared with, for example, Luke Shaw.
Coleman’s average tackles and interceptions per league game stood at 2 and 1.3 respectively, with Shaw making 2.1 tackles and 1.1 interceptions per league game. Coleman’s attacking output was superior to Shaw’s; although they both made an average of a key pass per game, Shaw is yet to score in the league.
That is not to say, of course, that Coleman is necessarily a better player, rather it is to suggest that they are certainly comparable.
Coleman has proven adaptable, thriving in Moyes’ rigid system and continuing to develop under Martinez’s more expansive approach. That adaptability would be an excellent asset to Louis van Gaal, who has been happy to experiment with different formations during his United tenure so far.
Whatever formation he has used, he has expected his full-backs to be part of his attacking unit. Coleman would be comfortable with this, as his goals and assists over the past few seasons have demonstrated.
United’s need at right-back only becomes pressing at the point at which Rafael is unavailable. Given the lack of European football on offer at Old Trafford at the moment, it would be difficult to allow both Coleman and Rafael enough games should both be fit.
However, given that Rafael has most definitely had his share of injury problems, a high-quality alternative would be a huge boon to Van Gaal’s squad.
United’s last acquisition from Everton may have not paid off yet, but Coleman would have a good chance of improving that record.
All statistics per WhoScored.com
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