great signing ;now lets get Sneijder

good article too – Ask any Manchester United fan which area of the squad needs most strengthening and you’ll find most respond quite emphatically with “midfield.” I feel inclined to agree with this. Our decent defence and potent attack has, at times, masked the frailties of the United midfield in the season just gone. Take a look at this position, player for player, and you could argue it was still a pretty strong one, but put them together in a four way regime and there appears a few cracks.

I, for one, am a fan of both Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher. But I do agree with many fans that they aren’t the most effective defensive holding midfield players that we have enjoyed over the years. They are certainly no Bryan Robson, Roy Keane or even, dare I say it, Owen Hargreaves. At a time when many of the world’s best sides can boast a world class defensive central player (think Busquets, Essien, De Jong or Xabi Alonso), United do lack in that department – and this is perhaps one of their downfalls came against Barcelona. This, of course, is not to say that had United fielded a player in this category the outcome of last weekend’s Champions League final would have been any different, but a player whose job is purely to sedate the likes of Xavi and Iniesta could have helped the United cause.

The question is, who is out there for United to sign? And herein lies the problem. None of the aforementioned players would be interested in a move to United. A Gattuso type player from three or four seasons ago would be ideal, or even a Van Bommel – if he wasn’t 34. There is only one player currently plying his trade in European football who I would suggest. Daniele de Rossi. The Roma vice captain, at just 27 years old, would be an ideal signing, especially considering his long term future with the only club he has ever played for has come under speculation in recent months. The Italian international has every trait needed to execute the role of a defensive player at Old Trafford and with European experience de Rossi would be an ideal acquisition. But is this the position we need filling at United? Which leads me nicely onto my next point…

Sneijder, Modric, Ashley Young. Three names heavily linked with United over the last couple of months, the latter being my least preferred of the three, but all potential replacements for the recently retired Paul Scholes. One of my major criticisms of United’s midfield over the last season was the desperate need for a creative attacking player. On many occasions, most profoundly in the opening half of the season, we looked lost when attacking our opponent’s goal. United, quite simply, craved that attacking impetus that we’ve not truly enjoyed since Cristiano Ronaldo left. I believe we will sign one of these three players, although whilst the positions of either Sneijder or Modric would be well assumed, I’m at a loss as to where exactly Young would, or could, fit into United’s starting XI. Formally a winger (a position which I don’t feel we really need improving) he now assists the Aston Villa attack playing just behind their forward, much in the way that Wayne Rooney has in recent months for United. I don’t feel Young is better than either Valencia or Nani on a wing and certainly wouldn’t come close to keeping Rooney out of the side, so this would be a highly questionable signing should it go through – which many suggest it will.

Much of the discussion put forth here relates directly to exactly how much United have to spend. Some believe it’s in the region of £100m, some indicate it is far lower than this. Sir Alex Ferguson has already admitted he has his eye on three players – I’d bet my house on goalkeeper David de Gea being one of them, leaving just two players remaining. Is it likely that both are midfielders? We all know how it sometimes takes time for a new signing to fully embed themselves into the heart of the team, could Fergie risk bringing in two new faces to his midfield? I’m not convinced.

This in turn generates the discussion of which position is required more, a defensive midfielder or an attacking one? Certainly the signing of a Sneijder or a Modric would be more exciting for fans – remember it’s this big named intent we have been dying for ever since our owners took over the club. But with the likes of Anderson waiting in the wings to fully shine at United, would Sir Alex, or the Glazers, want to be forking out £30m plus for a new signing? I make the point of Anderson as it was an issue I discussed earlier in the week, after all, he was initially signed as a long term replacement to Scholes.

With an effective defensive midfield player you bring the heart to a side, a player who can not only assist the back four but also move the ball forward to attacking contingent. There’s no doubt t

I completly agreed with you sizmo

Have just read on twitter that Mr gill is in Spain trying to do deal for Diarria and Kaka. Anybody got any info.

young signed today gill would have to be there to sign with him so douth that is true transfer updates is a load of blocks anyway and Dirra does wanna move so he said today

Now get kaka

we need diarra he will be as important to us as a creative midfielder. I’d recommend nani to either inter or real inter for sneijder and nani plus cash our way for diarra
and berba to Bayern in exchange plus cash for sweinsteiger wats peoples thoughts

Welcome 2 th best club in th world

Welcome to the theatre of dreams Ashley

I think Anderson has a big future at united, hes still young, and one of my favourite players.
I feel we have massively missed Hargreaves, he was quality for the time he played with us, and he could take freekicks, and score, unlike most of united. Young is good from set plays though, but I feel a player like hargreaves really helps beat the best teams, like barca, and he is English.

@redd devil not all Americans are money grabbing twats. Just saying.

Ashley Young 7th in all time premier league assists! What a buy!!!!
Top 10 Assist Rates in Premier League History 1. David Beckham – 0.57 (152 assists) 2. Thierry Henry – 0.56 (144 assists) 3. Francesc Fabregas – 0.55 (115 assists) 4. Eric Cantona – 0.51 (81 assists) 5. Dennis Bergkamp – 0.46 (147 assists) 6. Ryan Giggs – 0.46 (263 assists) 7. Paolo Di Canio – 0.45 (87 assists) – Ashley Young – 0.45 (76 assists) 9. Mikel Arteta – 0.43 (72 assists) 10. Robert Pires – 0.42 (78 assists