United January Signings? (Yes Rumours Already)

Recently I have heard little rumours here and there about January transfer targets for Sir Alex Ferguson.

Don't worry it's not the dreaded ‘S’ name with have heard all summer (Wesley Sneijder in case you forgot) but a few young stars and of course Mario Gotze will be linked come January and summer 2012. 

While rumours and the term "According to one source" seem to get our brain cells going and our full dedicated attention, the question should be is it even worth thinking about improving the squad considering the start to the season we have had?

Constantly rumours surface linking the newest hot prospect in Spain/Italy/Germany with transfers to Manchester United or Chelsea.  Understandably we will not be looking to add to our squad come January but obviously summer 2012 will be a completely different story.

Unless a dramatic bout of injuries take its toll on us even more so than the amount we have now it is increasingly unlikely we will need a new face at Old Trafford in January. Here are some points on why new signings are not needed:

1) United have been fielding a starting 11 with an average age of 23.  When United demolished Arsenal last month the average age of the United squad was almost a year younger than Arsene Wenger's men.

Sure, some young players have been gaining some worldwide recognition abroad in particular Borussia Dortmund’s Gotze but is he any more talented than United's own crop of youngsters? Tom Cleverley?  Anderson?

Would Shinji Kagawa be a step above Nani? United could spend millions on youth, but in reality all they would be doing would be delaying the progress of some of football's brightest talents they already have at their disposal.

Any transfer rumours involving any young players and United should immediately be ignored.

2) Earlier this season United were dealt injury blows that many pundits said would seriously ruin their start to the season. The loss of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic against West Brom were assumed to be too difficult for United to replace. There was a concern of a lack of experience at the back and they would struggle and could be got at. Particularly in the case of Jonny Evans.

Well, surely now those pundits should be eating their words.

Chris Smalling has improved even more so than last season showing versatility and has held down the right back spot even ahead of Champions League starter Fabio Da Silva.  Phil Jones has been grabbing all the headlines with blistering displays and will no doubt be a regular for United for years to come. His surging runs forward on the attack and adding composure in the back compliments Jonny Evans who has come into his own this season and has made fans almost forget about the unreliable shaky inconsistent Evans from last year.

3) If anything, United have too much quality in their ranks, and Sir Alex must be struggling to find out how to fit in all of these players.  Wayne Rooney is on fire playing the best football since his form in the 2009-10 season having put personal problems behind him, Danny Welbeck has been a revelation since his return from Sunderland and Javier Hernandez has picked up where he left off last season but for being on the end of a few nasty challenges.  Oh, and Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen aren't bad options either are they?

Do United really need Napoli’s Edinson Cavani? There was talk in the summer but striking options are pretty much United’s solid point with 5 fantastic choices to choose from.

It was only 2 seasons ago when Nani was frustrating fans with his numerous step-over’s, useless feints, wayward shots high over the bar and wasteful passing.  That’s kind of how many fans felt for the first few years of Cristiano Ronaldo's time at Old Trafford.

Now Nani has exercised his demons and is out of Ronaldo's shadow when he was at Old Trafford. He has even furthermore progressed from his form last season and let's not forgot statistically he is superior to Ronaldo. Calm down though I said STATISTICALLY!

4) United have always looked to have a mixture of the youth with experience.  That experience never comes from signings but United's philosophy has always looked to acquire young talent and groom them into world beaters. Who heard of Vidic before 2005? Hernandez? Nani? These players were all groomed into brilliant stars and all bought under the age of 25.

Many players who were considered youngsters are maturing now and gaining experience. The Da Silva twins seem to have cut out the silly challenges from their games and Evans has realized he is at Old Trafford and must perform every game given the chance or he will be shipped out fast. Nani has cut out his frustrating side of his game (most of the time) and Cleverley is learning game by game.

Forking out £35 million for one player does not fit United's style anymore. It does not seem like that will happen again for some time. When we have splashed out big money it has not always worked out. Juan Veron for example was despite his given talent a failure. The clubs best players have been acquired for less than £5 million. Roy Keane - £3.75 million from Nottingham Forest and Eric Cantona - £1.2 million, fine examples who went down as iconic figures in the history of the club.

United instead have shown a trend for developing their own youth, as opposed to buying developed talent like their neighbours. It is a strategy that has frustrated fans at times with some wanting a big central midfielder to conquer Europe but personally it is a great sight to see young lads like Cleverley and Welbeck progressing at Old Trafford to hopefully one day be first team regulars for years to come. The youngsters are hungry and keen to impress and deserve their chance rather than a £200K star who expects to walk into the side.

5) Many said that by United failing to sign Luka Modric, Marek Hamsik, Sneijder, etc. or any other name earmarked to replace Paul Scholes would cause the club to struggle in Europe in particular. (The Barcelona factor) 

With Anderson coming of age and proving to be a true box-to-box midfielder, he has established himself as one of the players of the season so far. Of course he will have dips in form but United also have Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick – two experienced players - to come in also.

The midfield partnership of Tom Cleverley and Anderson has a balance of creativity, composure and tenacity.  The duo could be the central midfield partnership for the entire season with an average age of 22. They are no Xavi and Iniesta but let's give these two a chance. They have the potential and with a few years maturing and improving alongside each other could be very hard to dislodge.

6) It is highly unlikely that United will add a player in January who will come in and contribute right away. Most players bought in January succumb to fierce amounts of pressure. Fernando Torres for instance.

Unfortunately not every player is a Sergio Aguero or Luis Suarez who takes the Premier League by storm. Vidic and Evra struggled for months upon arrival in the fastest league in the world when they joined United in the 2006 winter transfer-window. It takes time for a player to settle, and there is no guarantee when coming to the Premiership. 

7) January is the month where top contenders begin to seriously materialize and form and consistency is important. Not to mention the depth of a squad.

Assuming that a season-ending injury doesn't take Rooney, which lead to the demise of our 2009-10 season, United will continue their form through January.  The team appears to be clicking in ways that are superior to seasons' past and it is the best start to a season we have had in years. The players are genuinely enjoying their football and each other.

The defence recently has been a tad bit shaky but saying that we have yet to welcome back our captain Vidic. Smalling is injured as are both the Da Silva twins and Ferdinand having his usual injury worries game by game with Valencia having to deputize at right back. The theory this season seems to be that no matter how much the opposition scores United will score more with attacking threats from Rooney Hernandez Young and Nani who are a frightening front four with pace.

Currently the start to the Premier League table reads as such: seven matches, six wins, one draw, 19 points, 25 goals scored, five goals against and a goal differential of plus 19.

Oh, and there was that 8-2 demolition of Arsenal. Two successive Rooney hat-tricks too. Not that anyone remembers them.

Still if Sir Alex Ferguson's history has taught us anything, it's that the manager is never, ever satisfied. He will always be looking to improve.

Will he be looking to make a deal in the January transfer window? Hard to say.

Is it a necessity? No.

Will a signing happen? Wait and See.

While I would not be against another signing, it is not in drastic need. When everyone is 100% fit and on form we will not give another signing another second’s thought. What will Sir Alex do? We don't know but if he does see a coup in January he will snap it up, if it’s the right thing to do.

In the meantime let's focus on the squad we have and the huge trip to Anfield this Saturday. If we are struggling come January we can lambast about new signings but for now it's concentrating on what we have and that’s getting our first win at the home of our biggest rivals Liverpool since December 2007.

Darren Hickey @DHick92



Comments

[brucethomas]

You have a lot higher opinionof Anderson than most people. Dips in form? Haven't you notice? He has one every other time he touches the ball.

[dave]

awful awful arguments, keane was a british transfer record when he was bought,
u clearly have no idea what u are talking about so why dont u just shut up

[wiuru]

I admire your confidence but we are not all that yet . Other teams are improving we were lucky against Chelsea ,Stoke and Norwich .We need a mature CM to control and dictate play . Anderson is to inconsistant .

[SheffieldRed]

I kinda get where you going with this and I do rate Cleverly highly (Anderson not so), bit please for the love of God explain point 2 regarding Jonny Evans. Did you see the game against norwich. Now let ME explain. I'm not suggesting all the defensive frailities in the games he's played have been solely down to Mr Evans but plain and simply the guy is useless. Shaky you say. He's a 20.9 on richter scale matey. I get a horrible sick feeling in my stomach when he plays because you know full well that a couple of glaring mistakes that lead to goals are not too far away. He was brilliant in the 2008-09 season and since then he's been rubbish. If I'm honest I'd have sold him and kept either O'Shea even peg leg Wes. Sorry but your assessment on Evans is miles away

[John Tring]

Dear Darren, were you watching a different Utd side than we were? Utd is full of quality? Exactly where? Jonny Evans is not even a Championship level player. Midfield sucks as usual, there is no right back since Gary N's demise two years ago. Did you watch Chelsea, Basel and Norwich games, bro? If not, I suggest go get a DVD or something. Utd need serious reinforcements in January to retain title, never mind Europe. Man City squad is far stronger than Utd's, and I'm a Utd fan for 25 years. Not sure what SAF is thinking ( assuming he's thinking ) but hope he realizes there are 10 or 12 teams stronger than Norwich in the league alone!! Evans, Park,Carrick,Fletcher, Fabio, Rafael et el are not good enough. Man City ( even Chelsea ) have moved the goalpost since summer. SAF and Utd beaware.

[johnie]

give Darren a brk. those who are admiring how strong man c or Chelsea is, u can just jump the bandwagon and support them. I agree w most of u that our team ain't quality or gd enuff to win the bpl or ucl. we clearly miss the swagger Ronaldo brought but let's be frank, how many ronnies are there? it's like once in a million there's someone fit for the no.7 jersey. saf had also mentioned that prices for players are insane as well so tell me, who do you think we can buy into the squad? we can buy 1 player but if he turns put to be a flop we would be complaining that the club had just dumped a sum of $ down the drain. another factor's the weather. alot players rather choose sunny Spain or Italy than wet Manchester. to attract 1 top player what are the attractive terms? high pay, house cars, 1st team spot? then tix price hike it's also the fans who are complaining. so isit Darren fault or u guys just being troublesome?

[Chris mufc]

John u are a sad fuck like the rest of u are man city has a strong team on paper u don't buy team spirit u are manchester united fans what a joke we can't win the league lmfao didn't we win it last year and sell fabio and rafael have u not heard pele complaining that we bought them they have bright futures and that idiot who mentioned Gary neville hasn't Smalling excelled at right back get back to blowing each other ur city in disguise u sad fucks shut ur fucking mouths or I'll find u and jump on u u fat city fucks

[Chris mufc]

John get a life we have no quality Rooney Hernandez wellbeck nani Valencia young Anderson cleverly pogba tunnicliffe vidic jones evra de gea fletcher Smalling da silvas u no FUCKALL how u can call ur self a supporter I don't know why don't u go support city ur blowing them so much get aquero's cock out ur mouth u fucking loser

[spence]

I saw this article on another site and couldn't agree with it then and still don't now! lol

There are a couple of points above that just don't stadn up to scrutiny; namely Anderson who is still as inconsistent as anything and the amount of quality in the team - we are certainly well stocked in terms of quality everywhere bar the most important area; centre midfield where we don't have any leaders, nobody who can control a match and take it by the scruff of the neck when we really need it. We have some good players (Fletcher & Carrick), some promising players (Ando & Cleverley) but where is that midfield general?

We have been given an absolute tanking by Barca twice now because we were over run through the middle, we couldn't get close to them and while the Ando/Cleverley partnership was looking pretty promising before TC got injured it just goes to show how light we are in CM when 99& of United fans are desperate for TC to get back, is it fair to burden the lad with so much pressure/expectation?

[Roger]

Anderson isnt't good enough - period. He couldn't dominate the midfield against either WBA, Norwich or Basel. The only way of getting a midfield that is good enough without buying, is to turn Jones into a midfielder alongside Cleverley and/or Fletcher and Rooney in a Sneijder-role. If we're to buy Goetze would pretty much be all that we lack.

[mr E]

What United really need is top coaches one from Barca and one from Ajax. Under 18 are very very poor. Alex could do with some help and yes we need star Forward and midfielder.

[Sid]

I'll agree with Anderdon being a promising player with done qualities. Look at how he played alongside Cleverley. Many argue the point that he should be consistent when playing alongside anyone. To some extent I agree. However, what makes it difficult for Anderson (who is an attack minded, forward playing midfielder) when playing alongside Carrick (in particular) and fletcher is that their play tends to be so negative with sidewards and backwards passing. They lose confidence and composure on the ball when under pressure and cannot tee up with the one-two passing style that he's so good at. This makes him look unfairly inconsistent. That's my opinion anyway - and I'm sure there are some who read the game on a micro scale will agree with me!

[Sid]

Oh and on another point - Johnny Evans....?!?! I've got one word for him - LIABILITY!

[Sid]

Oh and yet another point (sorry for posting separate posts!) I think we should speed up the integration of Pogba to the first team. I know it's already in place, namely Carling Cup, but some minutes from premier league games under his belt would be fantastic. Not so sure what the latest is with the development of Morrison and maybe Tunnicliffe but potential for next couple if seasons maybe (especially if Morrison can mature up sooner than later!)

[oxiteh]

We have been carved open time and time again, and sometimes against lowly opposition. You sure about our defensive qualities in midfield?

Roy Keane was a British transfer record so you can hardly cite him as a reason not to spend big. Add to that the success of signing the likes of Rio, Ruud, Wazza, Yorke, Cole, etc, you're talking about a club that has always spent big when it needs to.

What we need to do is get rid of Evra, who is increasingly becoming an alarming liability.