Torres, Carroll, Suarez. Are these not players Manchester United should have been aiming to acquire?
With record amounts spent as yesterday’s football transfer window shut, the Premiership’s undefeated leaders Man United made no moves like those of rivals Liverpool and Chelsea. For the northern juggernauts, money was clearly not an issue, so with the likes of Torres, Suarez and Carroll on the move, many are wondering if United could not have joined the frenzy to strengthen their squad for the Premiership title push.
Although five points clear and yet to lose a game, United are not the perfect side. Players such as Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Edwin Van der Sar are all far past the pinnacle of their careers and will need to be replaced sooner rather than later.
Van der Sar announced his retirement last Thursday, yet it would be very hard to find a team willing to sell their first choice Goalkeeper in the January window, with so much football left to play. For Van der Sar’s replacement, United were prudent in waiting until the summer. At the back, United seem set with class talent in Ferdinand, Evra and Vidic and young talent with Rafael and Chris Smalling waiting in the wings.
With Carrick and Hargreaves still struggling, and still relying on Giggs and Scholes, United could certainly have done with some improvement in the centre of the park. Darren Gibson is certainly not the midfielder of choice in a side of such quality. Had United felt it, they certainly could have made a push for Blackpool’s popular Charlie Adam or a winger to solidify their wide game.
Up front, Berbatov’s been on cracking form and Rooney is irreplaceable, and so any move would do little but to provide extra depth. In the end, it is clear that Sir Alex Ferguson sees his starting eleven as one that is Premiership title worthy, and a squad deep enough to support the eleven. Waiting to replace Van der Sar was wise, but should anything happen to Scholes or Giggs they may regret pushing harder for a centre midfielder. Were United prudent in their lack of moves? Did they do well to avoid being carried away by the lucrative spending of others?
