Kaka left Real Madrid for nothing this summer. Should Manchester United have fought to sign him?
Last night saw AC Milan hold off the challenge of Barcelona at the San Siro in an exciting encounter between two of European football’s traditional powerhouses.
The 1-1 draw was in fact the least the Rossoneri deserved for a superb performance on the night, earning back some of the respect that has eluded them in recent European campaigns.
And one man was at the centre of it all. Not Robinho, although he did score the goal and miss an extraordinarily easy chance on goal to win the game, but his countryman Kaka – who turned back the clock in an assured performance.
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Kaka appeared to be fully-fit, and perhaps it was the vertical stripes in comparison to the all-white Real Madrid strip he adorned recently, it looks like he has also shed a few pounds.
This summer Real needed to balance the books in order to sign Gareth Bale for a world record fee from Tottenham Hotspur – and Kaka was deemed surplus to requirements.
So they sent him back to AC Milan for nothing, just four years after spending almost €70 million on the injury prone playmaker.
But his performance yesterday showed his innate ability on the world stage once again – which makes you wonder why no other big clubs came knocking for his signature.
Many a Premier League team has been linked with signature in the past, with Manchester City and Chelsea the most potent examples of reportedly interested parties.
But this summer it was Arsenal and Manchester United most heavily linked with making an approach for the player.
The latter would have been an excellent destination.
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It is clear the United have never replaced Paul Scholes, and they lack that creative spark from attacking midfield – something Kaka demonstrated yesterday he still has in abundance.
He would have cost them nothing other than his salary, and the contract could have been short-term – it would have been an essentially risk free and reasonably cost effective signing for David Moyes.
Whether United were never that hot on a deal, or whether Kaka had the blinkers on considering his apparent desire to return to Milan is not clear – but regardless, United have certainly missed out on a potential bargain if the performance against Barca was anything to go by.
Can Kaka rediscover his best form at the San Siro?
image: © Jan S0L0
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