5 clubs that still have unfinished business in the transfer window
The transfer window has been buzzing with activity all summer. Clubs such as Liverpool, Inter and AC Milan have considerably strengthened their squads to regain the glory of yesteryears, Manchester United have revamped their midfield to mount a title challenging season and even the normally hesitant Arsene Wenger has dived into the transfer market and landed Petr Cech to bolster the Gunners’ ranks.Notwithstanding the early rush of transfers, there are still a number of signings needed by major clubs in Europe. Here’s a look at five clubs that still have unfinished business in this transfer window. The clock, as they say, is ticking.
#1 Manchester United
The Red Devils have already done a fair bit of business this summer. They bought promising Dutch winger Memphis Depay, Italian full-back Matteo Darmian and strengthening the midfield with the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin.
However, a change in playing style from counter-attacking to possession-based football means United will need more players in at least one, preferably two (and possibly three positions). Such can be the effect of a change in philosophy.
The case of Angel Di Maria is a prime example. The mazy Argentine winger would have seamlessly fit into the plans of Sir Alex Ferguson. But United under Louis van Gaal is bringing out the weaknesses in his game instead of his strengths.
In his place, Van Gaal would prefer a player on the right wing with an astute sense of positioning who can maintain possession and appear at the right place at the right time to score goals – hence the links with Thomas Muller, Pedro and Antoine Griezmann.
United also need an experienced, ball-playing centre-half, someone who has the ability to sense opposition counter-attacks beforehand and kill them at their roots. The sale of Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao may also lead van Gaal to feel that he is perhaps a striker short while the constant speculation around David de Gea and Victor Valdes means United vice-chairman Ed Woodward will have to stay on the lookout for a quality goalkeeper.
By the time the transfer window closes, United’s starting eleven might be unrecognizable from last season. It is safe to assume then that the summer of 2015 might be regarded as ‘The transfer window of Manchester United’.