During this month’s transfer window, one of the rumours which continue to cause debate among football fans up and down the country is Manchester United’s apparent trail for Tottenham Hotspur star, Luka Modric. Playing against the Red Devils last week, the Croatian midfielder was outstanding and proved his class. But is he really what Sir Alex Ferguson needs?
As usual, we haven’t heard much about anything on the transfer front from Manchester United themselves, but that doesn’t tell us anything. Ferguson likes to get things done without the pressures of the media spotlight so it wouldn’t surprise anyone if he was working hard behind the scenes to bring Modric to Old Trafford.
What would surprise many though is the decision to being the Croat to Manchester in the first place. This is not to say he doesn’t possess the necessary talent to wear the United shirt, but he isn’t exactly the type of player Fergie would usually go for. The intricate playmaker type hasn’t been deployed by the 69-year-old manager for years. Playing in the Champions League using that system and that type of player, United were given the run-around by the likes of AC Milan and Real Madrid. Good sides were marking the creative midfielder out of the game and United became redundant going forward. Their subsequent change of shape meant United opted for a different type of midfielder. This is why the likes of Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick, Anderson and Park-Ji-Sung are regular fixtures at Old Trafford. Energy, power and a quick pass – that is what Ferguson likes in his midfield.
Wayne Rooney often does the job at United that Modric does for Tottenham, and the manager isn’t likely to drop him in a hurry. So with Dimitar Berbatov up front, Rooney just off him and Nani and Ryan Giggs providing the width, where will the little Croat fit in? Playing him instead of Fletcher or Carrick would then leave a massive hole in front of the back four, which is something United can’t afford given the way they commit men forward in attack. And what about when Paul Scholes returns to fitness? His ability to pick a pass from anywhere makes him the perfect candidate, even at his age, to sit in that hole in front of the defence, breaking up play and setting free one of the younger, more energetic players.
Modric would merely be a luxury to Sir Alex. He could use him sparingly, but what a disservice that would be to a player with such talent. The Croatian is more than good enough, but at Manchester United, that alone isn’t enough. Ferguson likes who he likes and plays the system he plays. The last time he changed that for the sake of a player, Juan Sebastian Veron upset caused more unrest than worth.
So is Modric really want United need? I wouldn’t say so. He is obviously quality, and could do a job at any of the other top clubs around the world. But as long as Sir Alex is at United, I can’t see Modric becoming a Red Devil any time soon.
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