1. Cristiano Ronaldo
Okay, unlikely at best. Sir Alex Ferguson, whilst admitting he would “love” to re-sign the former Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year winner, said in almost the same breath* “I don’t see it.”
United will welcome back their prodigal son in the New Year, but unfortunately for them, he will be lining up in the radiant white of Real rather than the Red of United. Perhaps a move for him wouldn’t be quite so outrageous given his ties with the club where he spent a successful six years, as well as with his relationship with Ferguson – who he has often credited for helping to turn him into the player he is today.
In 2011, rumours surfaced that Real would put Ronaldo on the market after a sensational bust up with manager Jose Mourinho**. Further reports appeared earlier this month that Mourinho would indeed be leaving the club next June.***
Could he be bringing Ronaldo with him?
Probably not, but heck, United fans are allowed to dream.
Source(s): * Sky Sports, ** Daily Mail, *** The Guardian
2. Wesley Sneijder
United were heavily linked with Wesley Sneijder in 2011 and again this summer, but any move for the Dutchman failed to materialise. However, the news that he is involved in a contract wrangle with Inter Milan that has seen him dropped from the side* might be enough encouragement for Sir Alex Ferguson to go back in with an offer. Sneijder hasn’t played for Inter Milan since September, and was this month ordered to take his Christmas break ahead of schedule.**
All this means a January move away from Milan seems incredibly likely, and given that Sneijder’s fall from grace at Inter means he won’t be cup-tied for this seasons Champions League, an offer for him in January might be a smart move.
Source(s): * Huffington Post
3. Kaka
Man United were linked with a loan move for Kaka back in August.* Considering the Brazilian is 30 it came as a shock to many, but he is still a world class player. He has scored 167 goals in 499 appearances throughout his career and has played for the likes of AC Milan and currently Real Madrid. He has been limited to just 11 appearances at the Bernabeu this season however, and could be available again either on loan or at a knock down fee. He won the Champions League with AC Milan in 2007, and it is always a bonus to have a player in your side who has the experience of winning the competition when you are in the latter stages.
United have a lot of young players who have yet to taste European glory, so Kaka could have an influence in that respect. He would also fit in quite seamlessly in United’s midfield – with Darren Fletcher still not recovered from his long term illness, coupled with the injury to Kagawa, the imminent departures of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes as well as the youthful inexperience of Tom Cleverley, it would seem that Kaka would have a role to play at Old Trafford in spite of his years.
*Source(s): Daily Mail
4. Giorgio Chiellini
Type “Giorgio Chiellini” into Google images, see second picture. Blood running down his head, teeth barred, snarling menacingly at the referee. Chiellini is an absolute warrior, and has a lot of “Roy Keane” elements to him. He leads by example and takes no prisoners. Don’t believe me? Ask his teammate Fabio Cannavaro, whom he injured with a, ahem, “robust” challenge in training, ruling him out of the 2008 European Championship’s.
He once stated: “a defender must “take the ball away from the opposing team, no matter what.” That might sound like he is stating the obvious, but given United’s defensive frailties this season, their current defenders should take heed from this advice.
Though he is robust, he isn’t a knuckle-dragging brute, and has been known to chip in with the odd goal or two, and a few assists to boot. If he needed any further recommendation, how’s this – he won the Serie A Defender of the Year three years in a row (2008-10)
5. Mats Hummels
Mats Hummels is one of the most sought after centre backs in Europe at the moment. At only 23, he is certainly an exciting prospect given he won the European Under-21 Championships with Germany in 2009. The former Bayern Munich man moved to Borussia Dortmund at the age of just 18, seeking more regular first team action, such was his ambition at a young age. The move paid dividends and it is by no means a coincidence that Dortmund had the best defensive record in the Bundesliga in 2011 as they went on to win the league. He would then help his side to a second title this year and even chipped in with four goals from the back.
Hummels stands at an imposing 6 foot 3, giving him a commanding aerial presence that United have lacked recently with injuries to Nemanja Vidic. He has already been linked with a move to Old Trafford, and is said to be valued at £25million.
Source(s): Mirror
