Monday 13 July 2015

Midfield is sorted- next, a striker

Having captured both Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger in a double midfield signing, United's attentions should now focus on finding a striker to complement Wayne Rooney. 

With the departures of Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao- and a long-term injury to Javier Hernandez (who's United future still remains unclear)- Wayne Rooney and James Wilson are the club's only recognised senior strikers.

Louis van Gaal admitted that United's lack of strikers was a "problem", but also hinted that new signing Memphis Depay may play up front.

Dutch international Depay- signed from PSV for £31m- is primarily a winger capable of playing on either flank- but can also play a central role. 

Van Gaal said: 

"It is one of the reasons that we have bought Memphis because maybe you remember that he has played in the striker's position also in the Dutch team.
"I have to see how we solve this problem, I don't know whether he will play there but it is a possibility" said van Gaal.

When fit, Rooney- as captain and talisman- is the first name on LVG's team sheet but has played in a deeper role under Van Gaal and prefers the number ten position just off the front man.
United have been linked with a host of strikers during this transfer window (Harry Kane, Karim Benzema, Edinson Cavani and Thomas Muller, to name but four) but, as yet, there's been no confirmation that United are in talks with any of the supposed targets and Van Gaal has said he would not buy for the sake of it. 

I'd imagine that Depay will play from the left with Rooney up top- of course, Rooney is more than capable of filling the striker's role throughout the season- but you can't vouch for injuries and, should that happen, we're going to need proven goalscoring cover. 

United's pursuit of Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin has been common knowledge- the search for a striker a little low-key, but we're doing business early and don't be surprised if Ed Woodward pulls off another masterstroke in the striking department before the transfer window is out.







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