The midfielder was a shadow of his best for Inter against Marseille and the game proved why United do not need to part with £30 million in the summer.
Dutch international Wesley Sneijder was the number one target on most United fans wishlist last summer, and at one stage it looked like the move may even go ahead.
The player elected to stay at Inter, and has endured an less than satisfactory season.
He has been injured and only played 13 times in the league, scoring just the once.
Inter Milan are currently seventh in Serie A, 14 points behind leaders AC Milan, and suffered a 3-0 defeat to 15th placed Bologna last weekend.
While this means they may not achieve Champions League football, it does not necessarily mean United should take advantage of that and weigh in with a bid.
The Dutchman would be overpriced and his wages would cost too much to make the move worthwhile.
He was very poor in the Champions League match with Marseille last night, being booked for his troubles in a 1-0 loss.
While a player as talented as Sneijder has the potential to make you come back and eat your words, United will find better value elsewhere.
We are not writing off Sneijder after one poor match, or even one poor season, but the price he would cost would far outweigh his potential benefits compared to a young player with 10 years at the top left.
Surely it would be better to invest in a player like Christian Eriksen, or Eden Hazard, young players with years ahead of them and who still have the burning desire to win trophies.
Sneijder has won the lot, and although he could reinvent his career at Old Trafford, if he really wanted to go there he should have lowered his wage demands last summer to help push through a move.
United’s midfield may have problems, but in Tom Cleverley they have a real emerging talent, and potentially Paul Pogba too if the club can convince him to stay.
The summer rumour mill will no doubt raise the possibility of a move, especially if Inter do miss out on the Champions League, but don’t expect it to happen.
Who should United sign in midfield in the summer?
image: © Patrick de Laive
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