Manchester United are moving closer to signing Barcelona forward Pedro after meeting the £22million release clause in his contract.
The 28-year-old could even complete his move in time to line up in United's Barclays Premier League opener at home to Tottenham on Saturday lunchtime, though Barcelona want to keep him until after next week's UEFA Super Cup match with Sevilla.
Pedro, who scored 98 times for Barcelona, is a replacement for Angel di Maria, who was sold to Paris Saint-Germain for £44.4m - a loss of £15m - following a disappointing debut season at Old Trafford.
But how will Louis van Gaal tweak his line-up to accommodate the Spain international?
Louis van Gaal keeps a close watch on Man United training - his squad looks much stronger this season
United look set to seal the signing of £22m Barcelona forward Pedro Rodriguez in the next few days
How Manchester United could line-up this season if Pedro completes his signing from Barcelona as expected
GOALKEEPER
The goalkeeping situation at Old Trafford is a little chaotic as we approach the start of the campaign, with only the future of summer signing Sergio Romero clear.
Although David de Gea is expected to pull on the gloves against Spurs on Saturday, it is also anticipated he will be heading to Real Madrid before the close of the window on September 1.
United originally would not allow De Gea to depart without defender Sergio Ramos moving in part-exchange, but this now appears unlikely.
David de Gea remains a Manchester United player - but how much longer before his Real Madrid move?
Sergio Romero (left), signed from Sampdoria, will become No 1 if De Gea moves back to Spain
If he goes, Van Gaal will feel he has an adequate contingency after signing Romero on a free transfer from Sampdoria.
The Argentina international of 62 caps brings with him plenty of experience and formerly worked under Van Gaal at AZ Alkmaar in Holland, his first club in Europe.
Victor Valdes, another former Barcelona player, has been demoted to the Under 21s and is unlikely to feature much this season.
DEFENCE
United's defence was pretty shambolic at the beginning of last season. A spate of injuries left Van Gaal's options decimated and the slow start meant any title bid was out of the question.
He will hope for better fortune 12 months on. Although a centre half hasn't arrived, the purchase of Matteo Darmian from Torino has strengthened the right-back position and, on the evidence of pre-season, the 25-year-old looks an exciting proposition.
Matteo Darmian, signed this summer from Torino, looked impressive during the pre-season matches
Luke Shaw, who has worked hard on his fitness, takes on Zlatan Ibrahimovic during the pre-season tour
Van Gaal has predicted great things for Luke Shaw this season now alarms over his fitness levels have been addressed and he will rightly be the first-choice left back, offering plenty of support going forward.
There is then a choice of seven centre-halves: Marcos Rojo, Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans, Phil Jones, Daley Blind, Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair.
Van Gaal has already suggested that Blind will be first choice at the heart of defence this season, despite being more of a defensive midfielder.
Daley Blind looks set to be converted into a centre back for the coming season
Chris Smalling, seen here taking on PSG's Blaise Matuidi, is set to line up at centre-half
Smalling was favoured at the tail end of last season and so the England man is likely to get the nod over Jones and Rojo.
Evans has been linked with a move away before the end of the window but even if that happens, United should be well stocked at the back.
MIDFIELD
Van Gaal has addressed a major area of concern over the summer by bringing in Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin to help out the ageing Michael Carrick.
But the 34-year-old isn't quite done yet and such is United's record with him involved he will still figure in a good number of games throughout the season.
Van Gaal tried to make a point about Schweinsteiger's fitness during the pre-season tour but it is to be expected that the German World Cup winner will partner Schneiderlin at the base of the midfield in most games.
German World Cup-winner Bastian Schweinsteiger was the most eye-catching of United's summer arrivals
The 34-year-old Michael Carrick remains a central part of Van Gaal's plans despite the summer arrivals
The pair could play alongside Juan Mata or more likely just behind him. The Spaniard has become a central part of United's creativity and will be essential once again, especially in the Champions League.
Van Gaal got the best out of Marouane Fellaini in the second half of last season and his physicality was a real weapon in some of the big games.
While United must refrain from simply lumping the ball in his direction, the Belgian is a very useful asset in contests against Chelsea and Manchester City for example.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to find room for Ander Herrera, even though the Spaniard was used heavily at the end of last season to good effect.
Herrera is a popular figure with the fans but he is unlikely to take Mata's role and is behind Schweinsteiger, Schneiderlin and Carrick in the pecking order too.
Juan Mata and Ashley Young take part in training ahead of United's opening Premier League game with Spurs
FORWARDS
Van Gaal believes United are screaming out for forward players with pace and creativity, though the front trio that will line up this season aren't at all bad.
The likelihood is that captain Wayne Rooney will return to his favoured centre forward role supported by new arrivals Memphis Depay on the left and Pedro on the right.
There were some positive indications during the pre-season matches that Rooney and Depay will link together very effectively.
A similar understanding with Pedro will mean United have a pretty formidable attack. And the Barcelona man's arrival will help alleviate concerns that United are a striker light.
Wayne Rooney has targeted 25 goals in the coming season after returning to a centre-forward position
Memphis Depay looks to be an exciting addition to the Manchester United forward line
If Rooney was to get injured, the other options are Javier Hernandez - whom Van Gaal rates so highly he sent him out on loan last season - and James Wilson, who struggled for goals.
As we know already, the signing of Depay is bad news for Ashley Young, who looks resigned to a season on the bench despite being excellent last year.
Likely line-up: De Gea/Romero; Darmian, Smalling, Blind, Shaw; Schweinsteiger, Schneiderlin; Mata; Pedro, Depay; Rooney
Bench: De Gea/Romero; Jones, Rojo, Herrera, Fellaini, Young, Hernandez
No comments:
Post a Comment