Manchester United: Top 10 Goalies, Midfielders Linked with an Old Trafford Move
It was clear after the Champions League match against Marseille, that Manchester United lacked creativity.
Darren Gibson, Micheal Carrick, and Darren Fletcher clogged up the midfield, and looked almost like carbon copies of one another. This midfield trio lacked any sort of inventive spark going forward. With Paul Schole's and the ageless Ryan Giggs unlikely to go on for much longer, United needs some spark plugs.
Manchester United's debt exceeds £700 million. However with players, Micheal Carrick, Wes Brown, Tomasz Kuszcak, Owen Hargreaves, and Darren Gibson likely to be off-loaded, and first-choice keeper Edwin Van Der Sar retiring, United should have some funds for a couple of transfers.
After the £80 million generated from the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid, United also has an excess of transfer funds believed to be set aside for Sir Alex's disposal.
A reported £23 million was spent on former Wigan Athletic winger Antonio Valencia, and a small fee for Gabriel Obertan and Mame Biram Diouf. Leaving a good amount of money to be spent on a couple of skilled players.
Manchester United will most likely spend the required amount of money to acquire a world class goalie, to ensure that the same mistakes are not made when keeper Peter Schemicel retired.
Manchester United will also spend on a few attacking threats.
In keeping with Sir Alex Ferguson's policy of buying youth, or players with a good resale value, United will most likely spend on a good range of youth, and experience.
Here is the list of the top 10 players linked to Manchester United in the summer, and their odds of joining the squad.
Hugo Lloris
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The French-born Lyon goalie has issued a come and get me plea to Manchester United.
Hugo Lloris has been quoted as saying "Manchester United is a great football club," the 24-year-old said to the French press.
"They are one of the most successful clubs in the world, so, of course, Manchester is one of the clubs that make me dream."
Manchester United has a good record with French keepers, notably Fabian Barthez. With Barthez in net, United won the Premier League title in 2001, and 2003.
Rumored to cost between £15-£20 million, the 24-year-old Frenchman might ease the loss of Edwin Van Der Sar.
Likelihood: 8/10
Rene Adler
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German Bundesliga and Bayer Leverkusen chief Rudi Voeller has revealed that he cannot rule out losing Rene Adler in the summer.
Rene Adler has been so strongly linked with a move to Manchester United, that his contract has a release clause just for United.
“As a child, Rene Adler was a fan of Manchester United,” Voeller told Sport 1. “For him there is a release clause for Manchester United."
Sir Alex Ferguson has never had a German goalie in between the sticks, but Rene Adler could be the one to break that trend.
Rumored to cost in the £20 million region, 26-year-old Rene Adler could be a solid No. 1 for close to, if not more than a decade.
Likelihood: 9/10
Pepe Reina
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He's experienced, skilled, and vocal—arguably the top-three attributes required of a world class goalie.
Pepe Reina plays for Liverpool, which would add to the drama if Reina were to play for the Red of Manchester.
When asked about the vacant No. 1 when Van Der Sar retires, Reina stated, "Of course, one likes to fight for titles and be in a team that does that.
"We always fought to be in the Champions League and tried to win the title, but unfortunately it hasn't been the case in the last couple of years. I won't lie - I want to play in the Champions League and challenge for titles."
Although Reina would be the first Liverpool player sold to Manchester United since Allenby Chilton in 1938, the lure of trophies and success could be the ultimate persuader.
Pepe Reina's contract has a £20 million buy out clause, which would leave Liverpool powerless in retaining their No. 1 Spanish asset.
Although Reina to United would be a shock deal, chances are the rumors are only meant to further shake things up at Anfield.
Likelihood: 5/10
Anders Lindegaard
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Lets hope that when former Danish great Peter Schmeichel said of Danish counterpart Anders Lindegaard that "he is not good enough for Manchester United", he was trying to use reverse psychology to motivate Lindegaard.
"I want to be first choice. I am not here because I want to be on the bench," Lindegaard stated.
While his ambitions are high, it is yet to be determined if his skills are at the same level.
His two appearances for United have not given much for fans to judge him on, but we will have a better idea if Lindegaard can emerge as the top choice.
When Edwin Van Der Sar hangs up his gloves, Lindegaard will have benefited from being on the same squad as the Dutchman. If Lindegaard does not become United's first-choice keeper, he will likely make for a solid No. 2.
Likelihood: 6/10
Ashley Young
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Currently playing for English Premier League side Aston Villa, 25-year-old Ashley Young has been rumored to move away from Villa for quite some time now.
Ashley Young is a player who is simply too good not be playing for a top European club. Out of contract in 2012, this summer Young is likely to move on.
An £18 million transfer fee would likely bring the English winger to Old Trafford, who was close to joining United in January.
Young would be a better alternative to Gareth Bale for two reasons.
1) Tottenham are unlikely to sell if they qualify for Champions League next season; and 2) Ashley Young has also been more consistent than Gareth Bale.
Ashley Young is a top target of Sir Alex, as well as Liverpool. With Sir Alex unlikely to miss out on Young again, I expect a bid for Young in summer will take place.
An advanced role at Old Trafford would further excel this pacy wingers career far more than playing at Anfeild.
Likelihood:8/10
Jack Rodwell
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Young, talented, and English, 19-year-old Jack Rodwell is also rumored to be a top target of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Believed to be ready to table a bid in the £15 million range, Jack Rodwell can only improve under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson and the coaching staff at United.
Sir Alex tried bringing in Rodwell in the January transfer window, but Everton were reluctant to sell. It is believed that Sir Alex will swoop back in the summer and not take no for an answer.
If Everton continue their slump, it is likely the lure of Old Trafford will prove a big persuader in landing Jack Rodwell, as it did for Wayne Rooney in 2004.
Likelihood: 8/10
Steven Defour
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23-year-old Belgian midfielder Steven Defour is a long-term target of Sir Alex.
Sir Alex contacted Defour when he broke his leg playing for Standard Liege, and is believed to be keeping tabs on his progress.
“If everything goes well and I continue playing as I am, there is a better chance of me leaving than there was at the start of the season," he previously stated.
“I’ve had the opportunity to leave Standard on a couple of occasions, but I loved the club too much to leave. However, I’m 23 years old now and I also have to think about myself. There comes a time when you just have to make the next step in your career, regardless of your feeling for the club.”
If Sir Alex puts in a bid around £15 million, the Belgian play-maker and long- time target might get his next step.
Likelihood: 6/10
Douglas Costa
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Brazilian-born Douglas Costa has also been linked with a move to Manchester United for over a year.
His performances in the Champions League for Shakhtar Donetsk have heightened the rumors, and shown that this Brazilian has the skill's to play in Europe.
"I won't stay at Shakhtar for a lifetime, but for one or two years," he said before leaving Porto Alegre en route to Donetsk.
"The plan is for this to be a stepping stone to reaching my goal, which is to play for a big club in Europe."
A gifted left-footer, Costa could slot in out wide, or in the middle. Costa is very much an attacking player and could be the type of flair that United needs going forward.
United nearly paid £20 million to acquire his services from Porto Alegre, but if Costa continues his fantastic Champions League displays, that figure is likely to rise.
Likelihood: 5/10
Alexis Sanchez
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The 22-year-old Chilean winger has confirmed that he will leave in the summer, which has sparked interest from almost every top club.
It is believed that Manchester United however are leading the race to land the young winger, with the lure of working with Sir Alex Ferguson being the greatest reason.
Alexis Sanchez has confirmed that he will leave in the summer, which has sparked interest from almost every top club.
Since the departure of Ronaldo, Nani has stepped in nicely to provide some creativity and flair to United's attacking game.
Sanchez is in the similar mold of both Nani and Ronaldo and could provide that extra spark United needs on the attack and would likely slot in behind the strikers, or out wide.
The £25 million believed to land Sanchez, could be one of the best signings United will make.
Likelihood: 8/10
Jordan Henderson
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Jordan Henderson has emerged as one of England's most promising young talents.
Playing for Sunderland under the guidance of manager Steve Bruce, Henderson has developed and matured in to a box-to-box center midfielder.
It was believed that a deal including a player-plus-cash deal involving Michael Carrick would secure this young talent.
Henderson has expressed his desire to play for the Red of Manchester over the Blue side of Manchester, as well as west Londoners Chelsea.
A £15 millions bid would likely land Henderson, as Steve Bruce has already mentioned that Sunderland will not likely be able to hold onto this exciting young talent.
Likelihood: 8/10
Any Other Possibilities
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Think I missed anyone?
Know of any other players strongly linked to Manchester United in the summer?
There will be at least two to four players brought in, and with the likes of Tom Cleverly and Danny Wellbeck coming back from loan, United will continue to prosper for many years to come.
