Why Everton's Kevin Mirallas Would Be a Bad Signing for Manchester United

Manchester United are in an attacking rut at the moment, in need of inspiration and creativity, but signing Kevin Mirallas from Everton is not the answer.

At least, it does not look as if he is the answer. Mirallas is out of favour with the Toffeemen, having played 90 minutes just once this season—the League Cup penalty-shootout win over Norwich City in October.

Throughout his career with Everton, he has made an important contribution in terms of individual games, but his overall contribution has always lacked consistency.

His best season at Goodison Park was Roberto Martinez's first in charge, 2013/14—wherein the Belgian winger scored nine goals and notched seven assists in the league. The seasons either side of that saw him score six and seven goals in the league, but three assists in 2012/13 is his next best total.

When David Moyes arrived at Manchester United in the summer of 2013, made sweeping changes to the backroom staff and signed Marouane Fellaini, there were concerns Sir Alex Ferguson's replacement was Evertonising United.

He tried to combat that with the purchase of Juan Mata in January 2014, but the general downbeat tone he took in the media gave an impression of attempting to lower fans' expectations. He infamously asserted ahead of a visit from Newcastle United that his side would "make it as hard and difficult for them as we can," per the Mirror. 

Louis van Gaal gives no such impression. The side may be struggling, but the manager carries himself with the authority bestowed upon him by a successful career, much of which has been spent at the elite level of football management.

Signing Mirallas would fall more closely in line with Moyes' Evertonisation of the club than Van Gaal's attempts to rebuild it to compete at the very top.

If Mirallas were 21 years old, then his record of inconsistency could be overlooked. However, at 28, it seems unlikely he will develop significantly.

It may be that playing with a better level of player around him could make him more productive, but Everton are doing well this season, and with players such as Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku there is no shortage of talent. Indeed, the increase in quality in Everton's squad has pushed Mirallas into a bit-part role rather than bringing out the best in him.

Martinez, though, has hinted that will not continue to be the case. When asked about Mirallas' position at Everton on November 5, he said, per Sky Sports:

"

Kevin has been a very important player while I've been at the football club.

The start of the season has been challenging for him individually as he's had a couple of niggles, a couple of injuries. Then he had the sending off, so he wasn't available for three games.

The way he's been working in training has been very impressive. I think he's improved as a footballer and it's important for us that Kevin is fresher now going into the second half of the season, and we'll get the benefit of that.

Kevin Mirallas is a very important player for Everton, he knows that, and all he wants now is to get important playing time, because the start of the season has been quite frustrating for him.

"

However, Mirallas has expressed his frustration at the situation, saying, per Daniel Prescott of MailOnline: 

"

At this point I see my future at this club, but if I am still in the same situation in January, something will have to happen. I have not yet talked to my agent because I am concentrating fully on Everton. But in football you are sometimes faced with situations you did not foresee. 

In relation to the national team I am staying calm because there are still a few months to go [until the Euros]. But if the situation drags on, I’ll be asking questions in January because if I am not playing it will be hard to win a place in the 23 for the European Championship. 

But now I’ll try especially hard to become a starter at Everton again. If I do that I see no problem.

"

If he does move on, Old Trafford seems an unlikely destination. Van Gaal's side are crying out for difference-making, best-of-the-best footballers—players who can make a regular and consistent impact against teams who set up with 10 men behind the ball.

Jon Super/Associated Press

Mirallas has never proved himself to be of that calibre. It is reasonable to take a gamble on young, promising talent in the hope they can grow into greatness, but gambling on experienced Premier League players in the hope they can step up would be an ill-advised approach to United's current transfer needs.