On Tuesday, Manchester United officially announced their signing of Argentine defender Marcos Rojo. The Red Devils reportedly paid a transfer fee of around £16 million for him, as well as agreeing to exchange Nani to Sporting Lisbon, for a season-long loan. Rojo was introduced at Old Trafford on Wednesday, showing off his new five-year contract and number 5 red shirt.
Rojo will undoubtedly help United’s back line, which was looking very thin in the season opener against Swansea. As good as Tyler Blackett is, he is far too inexperienced to be in the starting eleven at left back. Of course, he wouldn’t have started if not for an injury to preferred starter Jonny Evans. However, the fact that just one injury causes United to resort to using Blackett shows how thin the squad is. Rojo will likely slot in exactly there, on the left side, with Luke Shaw (once he returns from injury) as a left wingback.
Manager Louis van Gaal has indicated that, ideally, he’d like United to play in a 4-3-3 formation. However, he believes that the current group of players fit best into a 3-5-2. So, they’re stuck with three in the back for now. Thus, it’ll be nice to have Rojo’s talent there – he’s not world class, but he’s better than what was already there.
Many fans rated Rojo since his performance at the World Cup, in which he was arguably one of the best left backs there. He caused many Argentinian fans to fall in love with him en route to an appearance in the final. In fact, it likely was the World Cup that caused van Gaal to pursue Rojo.
However, chairman Ed Woodward still has quite a lot of work to do. Louis van Gaal will not be content with signing Rojo. He’s made it very clear that he needs new players in order to return to the top four of the Premier League. At the very least, United need another centre back, as well as someone who can command the midfield. The current squad could possibly squeak into the Champions League positions, but that would depend on Van Gaal’s ability.
If United don’t get back into the big money transfer game soon, they may be playing catch-up for a while. It’s increasingly becoming a very difficult time to get into the top four. This season, there could be up to seven clubs expecting to finish there. One has to assume Chelsea and Man City will be up there, in contention for the title. Liverpool, now back in the Champions League, will be wanting to stay there. Arsenal will be vying for their coveted fourth place. Both Everton and Tottenham have come very close in the last few years, and probably believe they need to get there now (Everton especially, with the success brought by Roberto Martinez last year). And, of course, Manchester United.
Gone are the days of United walking the league with a squad full of holes (as they did just two years ago). Both parts of the most successful centre back pairing in the club’s history (Vidic and Ferdinand) have moved on, as has vice-captain Evra. As well, gone are the days of academy players making up the majority of the first team. The depressing fact is, this is the most expensive transfer window United have ever had, and they still haven’t spent nearly enough. It’s time for the Glazers to reach into their pockets and actually invest some money into the betterment of the team, and sign world class players.
The money is obviously there, considering the huge amount of cash brought in by the new kit deal signed with Adidas. There are players out there, too. Both Angel Di Maria and Arturo Vidal have reportedly been made available by their clubs. United should be pursuing those players, and winning the bidding wars for them.
There are two weeks left in the summer transfer window. Van Gaal has said that it takes 72 hours to complete a transfer. So, he should at least be able to sign 2 or 3 players. God knows United need them if they really are serious about returning to the top four – and they damn well should be, it’s usually a disappointment when they don’t win the title.
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