Every year Manchester United hunt for a top class midfielder and it usually comes down to one man. Will they be unsuccessful again?
Earlier this week The Mirror reported Manchester United were ‘closing in’ on top target Lucas Moura.
Where have we heard that before? Ah yes last year, with a certain Dutchman.
Let us take you back to last year, August 2nd to be precise.
Again, The Mirror, claimed ‘Exclusive: Inter accept United Sneijder offer.’
“Wesley Sneijder WILL become a Manchester United player this week… if he accepts a restructured pay-deal to move to the Premier League.
“The Dutch midfielder’s club, Inter Milan, have paved the way for a £30million-plus transfer by accepting, in principle, a formal offer United made at the weekend.
“They are ready to grant Sneijder permission to speak to officials from Old Trafford, and the Mirror understands those talks will take place later this week.”
We all know how that panned out, it was a bust for United, failing to secure their top target – while the midfielder went onto endure a nightmare season for club and country.
So it should be no surprise that 48 hours after claiming, “Fergie will get his man (boy) as 19-year-old Olympian dazzler’s club Sao Paulo finally settle on massively upped price – now it’s down to personal terms.”
That Sky Sports last night declared, “Lucas Moura’s agent maintains he has no plans to talk to Manchester United when in England as the Premier League giants remain short of an asking price of at least £30million.”
Another missed target? If so the club have just over one month to identify and sign a top class midfielder or risk being left short in the centre of the pitch.
The latest today is from the Guardian – who claim talks between clubs are ‘ongoing’.
Let’s go further back into United’s failed pursuit of top midfielders, and 2010 with Mesut Ozil, who was available from Werder Bremen after his World Cup exploits as he had just one year of his contract left.
Here’s the Mail on August 8 2010: “Fergie close to signing Mesut Ozil as Manchester United boss spies on World Cup hero.”
“…Significantly, Ferguson also feels he possesses the big-match mentality required to cope with the pressure of expectation at Old Trafford,” with the report adding United were in ‘pole position’ to signing the German.
We all know how that turned out, Real Madrid signed him for £12 million eight days later. And to top off supporter’s frustrations United spent £7 million on Bebe, days after Sir Alex Ferguson had repeated his ‘no value in the market’ mantra.
This year, United surely have to sign a new midfielder, but will it be Lucas Moura? The lessons are don’t believe it when the tabloids claim United have ‘sealed a deal’ for their targets, wait until they turn up in a Red Devils shirt instead.
The summer is about the thrill of the chase too though, and this year is no different, but with the Lucas deal off at present, the club may just need a new object of affection.
Should United have signed Sneijder last year? Is there still a chance they could sign Lucas? If not who should they go for?
image: © Jan S0L0
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