That Manchester United failed to conduct its business astutely in the summer transfer window would be a mild way of saying things. The club searched from pillar to post for a midfield marshal and scouted around for a number of big names, only to end up with Marouane Fellaini while paying £4 million above his transfer trigger price.
During the fag end of the transfer window, a farcical drama was played out regarding United’s pursuit of Ander Herrera which had a bizarre ending when the media learnt that the Manchester United lawyers were actually a bunch of fakes.
What has gone unnoticed that to salvage some pride (and a midfield spine) the Red Devils had launched a bid for Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira for €40 million which was rejected by Madrid. Interestingly, Khedira neither affirmed nor denied his intent to join United – rather he hummed on about the loss of Mesut Ozil on the transfer deadline day.
United, depending on how things pan out this season, might go for broke in the next window – and another fresh bid for Khedira might not be an entirely unrealistic attempt.
Real Madrid have already recruited Asier Illarramendi to compete with Khedira’s berth in the midfield engine room with Alonso, and the 21-year old Brazil international Casemiro has already been signed with an eye for the future. Khedira’s contract also runs out in 2015, and unless the Los Blancos start renewal talks with the German, he might openly court United.
David Moyes would primarily gun for Ander Herrera in the next window and that’s a no brainer. What will be a cheaper and an equally brilliant option is to also go after Khedira, a midfielder who has been a hallmark of consistency for both club and country. Whatever course Edward and Moyes should take, suffice it to say that an early start would lead to a lot less protraction on the search for their next midfield general.
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