It’s like fall of stars. Or the whole sky is melting down? Manchester United who are in the second position of Premier League point table (now) expected to sell some big names in the upcoming Transfer window. Among them this time, Mourinho is trying to reshuffle his defensive tactics. Luke Shaw, Daley Blind and Matteo Darmian may go on Negotiation bucket this time. If it comes true, then may be it wouldn’t be a surprise.
Shaw’s career has struggled under the Portuguese coach with lack of fitness and inconsistencies. Though his market value hasn’t gone dull yet. According to some sources, former Liverpool and Chelsea boss Rafa Benitez is convinced by the left back and may welcome him in Newcastle as a loan transfer this January. The former Southampton man who is eager to reignite his career will get more playing minutes in Newcastle. However, Benitez may face real competition as Tottenham and Southampton are also showing interest on him.
Now when it is Blind, it may be a little surprising as he has been a real performance in Old Trafford. This Dutchman, a £14m signing by Van Gaal has gone into only a squad player under Mourinho. This season he got start in only three Premier League games though he has been there in every minute of United’s Champions League campaign. His current deal expires next summer, and he would be allowed to be in the negotiation bucket from January onwards. The current form of Young in left-back, who has scored twice against Watford is suspected to be the reason of his downfall from the squad.
Darmian and Blind are capable rotation option for United, but neither seem good enough to be regular first-teamers. Usually Mourinho likes 3-4-2-1 formation where Valencia and Young is preferred as side backs and Rojo and Lindelof are in full-back. Ander Herrera, Darmian are there for the substitute change. So it is quite evident that Luke Shaw finds no place in the team.
Young along with Valencia has given some brilliant performances recently. But Mourinho would need a long-term option.
Some sources revealed that Mourinho is after some future plan where Jordi Alba of Barcelona, Ricardo Rodriguez of AC Milan, Danny Rose of Tottenham, Alessandro Florenzi of Roma and Celtic’s Kieran Tierney is in his list. Though a strong part is saying the United coach will bid for the Sevilla defender Clement Lenglet. This French U-21 would be a long-term replacement for the Red Devils.
United will face Manchester City next in Premier League in one of the most crucial games in the top flight of English football this term. Mourinho’s men already beat the Gunners 3-1 and are now looking to beat their domestic rivals, which will throw open the league this season.
The injury problems and the Pogba suspension will really hurt United’s chances of beating their rivals, though the Portuguese manager hopefully has a plan to make things work out for his side.
It will be interesting to see now whether these deals do actually happen in the new year or not and which clubs these players join.
