Fergie’s next targets

Saturday, 25/06/2011

Following a busy start to the summer transfer window, Manchester United have signalled their intent by building on the squad that claimed a record 19th Premier League title last season.

The recent arrival of promising Blackburn Rovers defender Phil Jones has been followed by the capture of England international winger Ashley Young from Aston Villa. United now have excellent options and cover in the central defensive and wide positions but more work will be needed to be done by Sir Alex Ferguson this summer as two crucial areas of the team have huge gaping holes.

The goalkeeping position, so expertly filled by Edwin van der Sar for the last six years, is now vacant and finding the right man to fill those pressure-filled gloves is another big test of Fergie’s judgement in the market. He doesn’t often get it wrong but with such a specialised position, he simply cannot afford to make a mistake. Young Spanish stopper, David de Gea, seems likely to be the champions’ next number one and how quickly he adapts to the hustle and bustle of the Premier League could be key to United’s early season form.

Just as important as the man between the sticks will be who Sir Alex chooses to pick up the midfield conductor’s baton that had been peerlessly wielded since 1995 by the majestic and now retired Paul Scholes. Replacing one of the finest Premier League footballers of all time is no mean feat and a whole host of names have been linked with filling the role, from Holland and Inter Milan’s talismanic playmaker Wesley Sneijder or poaching Arsenal star Samir Nasri to young Valencia prospect and star of the impressive Spain Under-21 team, Juan Mata. All three would command significant transfer fees, but for such an important position, it would be money worth spending.

But the answer for Sir Alex is probably to bring in another Premier League based player, and that will mean yet another move for one of Tottenham’s top performers; Luka Modric. The creative Croat is ideally suited to follow the path up north trodden by Michael Carrick and Dimitar Berbatov in recent seasons.

His touch, vision and ability to retain the ball are all assets that United require now Scholes has departed and Modric would fit nicely into The Red Devils’ existing setup. Someone to link up play with Wayne Rooney, feed balls through to the explosive Javier Hernandez and bring the pace and trickery of United’s wingers into play is essential.

His low centre of gravity, speed of thought and decision-making would help United start to bridge the huge gap that exists between them and Barcelona and add another dimension to the English giants’ game.

However, Spurs and Harry Redknapp are reluctant sellers and United would probably have to bid in excess of £30m to even tempt them into a deal. Chelsea are also known admirers having recently had bid of around £22m rejected, so the pursuit of Modric could prove to be every bit as drawn out and frustrating as United’s capture of Berbatov on the final day of the 2008 summer transfer window. But, if it means Fergie gets his man, it will certainly be worth the wait.

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