Manchester United Transfer News: Arturo Vidal Revelation Made by Juventus

Juventus CEO Giuseppe Marotta has revealed Arturo Vidal's failed transfer to Manchester United was "influenced" by the Chilean midfielder's injury problems.

Speaking to TMW (h/t talkSPORT), Marotta indicated things could have been different if Vidal entered the season fully fit:

"

The injury influenced his departure, even now he doesn't have the best physical condition. 

For our part, however, there is the clear desire to keep him because we renewed his contract.

"

United were linked with the Chilean midfielder all summer before settling on Ander Herrera, Angel Di Maria and Daley Blind to strengthen Louis van Gaal's centre. Vidal posted a quality World Cup despite his niggling knee injury, but it was reported the United boss would wait for his full fitness to return before launching a concrete bid.

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Only in the last few weeks has Vidal managed to hold down a place in Juve's starting lineup. He has completed 90 minutes just four times in 11 appearances across Serie A and the Champions League this season, per WhoScored.com, suggesting irritations continue to persist.

Van Gaal's midfield has improved in recent matches, notably since Marouane Fellaini's return. Although the Belgian tends to flit in and out of sloppiness, his presence has been key to providing Blind with greater support in the middle. This has allowed the Dutchman to keep possession moving more easily, providing United with the impetus to take control of the ball.

An out-and-out defensive midfielder is needed, though. Blind doesn't naturally exert the intensity of Vidal, whose enthusiasm sees him wholeheartedly crash into opponents like a certain Roy Keane. The former Bayer Leverkusen star is capable of breaking up play, bombing forward and creating chances from the middle.

Rob Dawson of the Manchester Evening News recently told B/R UK's Ryan Bailey that Vidal's transfer is more likely now than it was in the summer:

It would suit him to sit alongside Blind, who allows Van Gaal's other midfielders freedom to express themselves.

United's monitoring of Vidal also appears similar to their reported pursuit of Kevin Strootman. Van Gaal is said to be interested in the Roma star, but the manager will wait for him to return from the serious knee injury which ended his World Cup hopes before making his move.

It could be a case of one or the other for the Premier League side, who nearly gave their fans a fake reason to celebrate on Thursday, per the Metro:

Marotta's comments suggest Vidal's transfer was closer than it ever seemed. Van Gaal was right to wait if this was the case and will be better served to evaluate the situation in January. There's no doubt United—who are 10th in the Premier League—need strengthening when the transfer window opens.

The club proved themselves willing to spend big with Juan Mata's arrival last winter, a transfer which took many by surprise. Van Gaal could emulate David Moyes' move by capturing another top talent during a second consecutive season in which United are not just craving improved performances, but better results.