Manchester United: 5 Bargain Buys to Improve the Central Midfield
In a recent article, I discussed several considerations which will likely influence Sir Alex Ferguson's activity in the transfer market this summer. While I disagree with most fans who insist that Manchester United is in desperate need of a more creative central midfield player, United could certainly benefit from the inclusion of a new attack-minded player.
With Fergie set to sign 20-year-old Atlético Madrid keeper David De Gea and United already loaded with strikers, wingers and defenders, the majority of new recruits will likely be central midfielders.
Unlike his counterparts at Eastlands and the Bernabeu, Ferguson is not one to spend wastefully, so look for him to sign the players which represent the best bargains.
Here is my list of the top five players Fergie should be considering...
Jordan Henderson
1 of 6More of a long-term project than anyone else on this list, 20-year-old Sunderland midfielder and U-21 England International Jordan Henderson could potentially become the next Paul Scholes...or the next Darron Gibson.
However, he's demonstrated enough more than enough potential this season to warrant the risk.
A creative player who seems to work best in support of his team's strikers, Henderson plays excellent speculative passes in or around the box with either foot. However, he has established his reputation through his unpredictable moments of brilliance, which have seen him unleash vicious volleys and surge through packs of defenders.
While he still needs to develop the ability to consistently place the incisive passes which unlock the opposing team's defense, he could certainly serve as a spark plug off of the substitutes' bench.
Who knows, he might already be good enough to earn a spot in the starting 11.
Bottom Line: While manager Steve Bruce certainly does not want to sell his prized asset, mid-table Sunderland need the cash. A fee of £14 million should be enough for Ferguson to wrestle Henderson away from other likely suitors (Arsene Wenger) and prevent him from wasting his career playing for weaker teams (Arsenal).
Clint Dempsey
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According to Simon Kuper and Stefan Szymanski, authors of Soccernomics, Americans are highly undervalued in the transfer market.
I know, you are probably just as surprised by this startling revelation as I am.
Despite ripping 131 shots, scoring 12 goals and creating three assists in the English Premier League (EPL), Fulham playmaker Clint Dempsey has only been linked with a possible move to Paris Saint-Germain.
When also considering his impressive performance for Fulham throughout their 2009-2010 Europa League and his incredible performances for the United States Men's National Team (scoring in meaningful contests against Spain, Brazil and England), it is truly a wonder he has piqued virtually know interest from any major clubs.
As a United player he could play as an attacking midfielder, a winger or a striker. In addition to creating scoring opportunities with his tremendous hustle, Dempsey is a tremendous finisher. Capable of scoring with his head or off the volley, Dempsey is especially lethal from set pieces.
Bottom Line: Ferguson would be wise to invest the £12 million-£15 million it would take to move him from Fulham. At 28, Dempsey has another four years of EPL football before returning to the MLS and could easily perform as well or better than Park Ji-Sung.
Renato Augusto
3 of 6A playmaker in the purest sense of the term, Renato Augusto has quietly developed into one of the of the best attacking midfielders in the Bundesliga. Much unlike his good-for-nothing teammate Michael Ballack, who talks much but plays little, the 23-year-old has used his subtle touch, deceptive speed and vast football knowledge to both create and finish numerous scoring opportunities for the 2010-2011 Bundesliga runner-up.
His low-key demeanor would make him the perfect foil to the more boisterous Rooney as he would seemingly be glad to pull the strings in attack while allowing Rooney to bathe in the spotlight which permanently hovers over Old Trafford.
Considering Leverkusen have qualified for Champions League football for 2010-2011 and his contract runs until 2014, it might be difficult to tempt the German side to part with one of their top players, but Leverkusen are by no means a very wealthy club and would be willing to sell for the right price.
Bottom Line: An £18 million offer would get Fergie's foot in the door, and £22 million might be enough to secure his move to Old Trafford. Though a bit more pricey than most other players on this list, he would cost significantly less than similarly talented players such as £40 million rated Wesley Sneijder and €60 million rated Javier Pastore.
Fernandinho
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A deep-lying playmaker in the mold of Andrea Pirlo, the Shakhtar Donetsk center midfielder and Brazilian international earned international recognition for his role in helping Shakhtar advance to the Champions League quarterfinals, where they eventually lost to Barcelona.
Capable of spraying long-range, accurate passes from deep in his own territory, Fernandinho could help United become as deadly as Real Madrid (or any Jose Mourinho team) in the counter attack. Also possessing fantastic pace and dribbling skills, he is more than capable of blowing past opposing defenders.
Fernandinho would likely cost significantly less than his highly touted teammates Douglas Costa and Willian for two reasons: He plays in a less prominent role and has fewer optimal playing years at age 26 then his 20- and 22-year-old teammates.
Bottom Line: While other top teams pursue Douglas Costa and Willian, Ferguson should try to quietly land Fernandinho for a sum around £15 million. A regular first-team player, he would be an upgrade over both Anderson and Michael Carrick.
Charlie Adam
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Courtesy of B/R contributor Ricky Santillan, the Blackpool workhorse and Scottish International would be a huge addition to the current United squad. Using his silky touch which is surely amongst the best in the English Premier League, Adam impressively scored 12 goals while collecting eight assists.
A true playmaker who requires only a single touch to send perfectly weighted 20-yard balls into the path of charging forwards, Adam demands the attention of the opposing defense at all times. Also an extremely composed finisher, the Tangerines' playmaker is equally lethal when moving forward through counter attacks or when taking penalties.
However, Adam's greatest asset is his Ronaldoesque ability to place free kicks in the back of the opposing team's net, just beyond the reach of an outstretched keeper.
His brilliant free kick goal against United this past Sunday, the only first-half EPL goal scored by an opponent at Old Trafford this season, has undoubtedly made a lasting impression on Fergie, which should linger well into the summer transfer window.
United fans can be further encouraged by the fact that Blackpool's relegation means that they must sell their prized asset this summer. While Adam has been heavily linked with Liverpool since January, he should be more than interested to listen to Fergie's offer.
Bottom Line: Competition with Liverpool will prevent United from acquiring Adam at or below market value, but Fergie should spend up to £20 million to acquire his services. He is a major upgrade over everyone United currently has in central midfield and is still significantly cheaper than Wesley Sneijder.
I would make him United's number one transfer priority
Honorable Mention: Keisuke Honda
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First seizing international attention with his 2010 World Cup free kick goal against Denmark which dropped into the back of the net like a Phil Mickelson chip, the dynamic CSKA Moscow playmaker and Japanese international is destined for greatness.
In addition to scoring numerous long-range attempts for CSKA and his former team VVV Venlo, Honda is a tireless worker who uses his speed and deft touch to convert speculative passes into legitimate scoring opportunities for teammates as well as himself.
In a United outfit, Honda could either start as an attacking midfielder or come off of the bench as one of Fergie's super subs. As a lefty, he would provide an excellent complement to Rooney's right-footed cannon in dead ball situations. Honda could also provide excellent service from the wings and from corners.
Bottom Line: According to a recent ESPNsoccernet.com report, Honda has already entered negotiations with Manchester City. Considering his market value is likely hovering somewhere around £20 million, City will probably make an offer closer to £30 million while offering him better wages than he could receive at United. With Champions League football to look forward to at City, Honda will unfortunately probably accept their deal.
