The mood at Old Trafford currently is a dull mélange of somnambulic torpor, silent mutiny and tearful boredom. It is as though Manchester United manager, Louis Van Gaal has sworn to slay the entire fan-base as well as any unfortunate observer of the Red Devils’ games this season with death by boring football.
The January transfer window, only a few days away, is a tiny blob of hope at the end of the tunnel that has been Manchester United’s season. The 2-0 loss to Stoke City was the 6th successive game that United had failed to win, their worst run since 1961.
Weeks earlier, they had been dumped out of the Champions League and would certainly have to endure the ignominy of playing Europa League football on Thursday nights.
With each successive defeat heralding a new nadir, Louis Van Gaal’s position becomes more and more untenable. Had Manchester United’s board borne any semblance to the likes of PSG, Real Madrid, Manchester City or even Chelsea, the Dutch manager would have been sent to an early retirement because not only are they enduring a losing streak but they look horrible while at it.
Sources within the club claim that the Ed Woodward-led board is ready to back Van Gaal in the imminently-opening transfer window while efforts would be stepped up to secure the signature of the likes of Pep Guardiola, Diego Simeone or even Jose Mourinho as a new long-term manager, though the likelihood of the latter joining the Red Devils is slim as his theatrics as well as scant regard for youth development is anathema to the United ethos.
10 goals in the last 14 games is a miserly return by any standard and despite having a front three of Memphis Depay, Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial with the latter 2 costing a combined fee of £61m, the Red Devils have struggled for goals.
Names like Neymar, Gareth Bale, Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy and Odion Ighalo have been bandied about as possible targets that could be winging their way to Old Trafford.
However, according to the Daily Star, the Red Devils are readying a big money move Edinson Cavani. The 28-year-old Uruguan has been serially linked with a move to the Premier League as he is reportedly unhappy at his bit-part role at the French capital.
The former Napoli striker is understood to be fed up with playing a supporting cast to Zlatan Ibrahimovic and has repeatedly voiced his frustration at his bit- part role.
With Van Gaal a big admirer, he might just be offered a way out of his Paris hell and the English giants are expected to part with at least £30m if they are to land their man.
Despite a plethora of options in midfield, United are expected to make a move for Lazio midfielder, Felipe Anderson. The Brazilian has been impressive for Lazio as he has already scored 4 times in 13 appearances for the capital club this season and could command as much as £43m in transfer fees.
Due to his dribbling, mobility, dead ball ability, a good shot from distance and a good eye for a final pass, he is seen as the glue that would splice the midfield and attack, two areas of the pitch in which Man U has looked disjointed and bereft of ideas this season.
Just how a manager in possession of Juan Mata, Ander Herrera, Andreas Pereira, Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Michael Carrick, Daley Blind and Antonio Valencia is still unable to coax a semblance of creativity, thrust and rhythm from this impressive array of midfield talent smacks of the proverbial bad workman who complains of his tools.
David De Gea’s brilliant performances, a rare glimmer of bright light in the gloom that has been Man U’s season only increases the likelihood of his exit from Old Trafford next summer.
Real Madrid, still smarting from losing out on bringing the Spanish shot-stopper to the Santiago Bernabeu, they are expected to come back in the summer for the stellar Spaniard.
As a precaution, Manchester United are expected to tempt Stoke City’s resolve with respect to their own goalkeeper, Jack Butland. The Englishman has been in outstanding form and is currently enjoying a great season at the Potters and manager, Mark Hughes would be reluctant to allow his goalkeeper to leave this January.
However, he might be tempted with a big fee for the 22-year old and could decide to cash in with a view to using the money to strengthen what is already a very good side.
For Louis Van Gaal, the board and fans, January 1st can’t come soon enough.
