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Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Premier League: United should not repeat mistakes of the past with Zaha pursuit


Since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down in 2013, Manchester United has constantly been seduced by big-name players who command extravagant transfer fees and exorbitant wages. And there’s been little end return in these investments. Sports enthusiasts from around the world can purchase Premier League Tickets online to enjoy its stunning performances.

Angel Di Maria lasted just one season after United paid £59.7million to Real Madrid for the Argentine. As did Radamel Falcao, who arrived at Old Trafford on a loan deal from Monaco which cost the Red Devils £6million plus the striker’s £265,000-a-week wage.
The £80million it cost to bring Paul Pogba back from Juventus has not yet been repaid by the French star. Romelu Lukaku meanwhile moved on to Inter this summer two years after he signed from Everton for £75million. And of course, let’s not forget Alexis Sanchez who the Red Devils are paying £300,000 a week to play for Inter this season.
This summer, however, United finally appeared to realize the error of their ways in the transfer market. Perhaps it was Ole Gunnar who has influence. Or maybe Ed Woodward had been burned once too often. But the club’s strategy seemed to shift.
No more megastars. Instead, the United signed undoubted potential in Daniel James and Aaron Wan Bissaka. Harry Maguire, who admittedly did not come at all cheap at £85million, also arrived from Leicester City.
All three were sensible, well-thought-out transfers. James and Wan-Bissaka filled problem positions. Maguire was the Centre-back to build a defense around. The Manchester club was back on track even if their final destination was well in the distance.
Then came a report in the national newspapers that United was interested in re-signing Wilfried Zaha and that his £70million price tag was not a deterrent. The club and the winger have history. Zaha was Ferguson’s final signing before his retirement but the move didn’t work out and he returned to Crystal Palace in 2014 ready to rebuild his career.
The 27-year-old, to his credit, has done so. He is regarded as one of the best players outside of the Premier League’s traditional top-six clubs and can win matches singlehandedly when in the mood. He was also courted by Arsenal in the summer and has been linked previously with moves to Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea. So United being linked is certainly believable.
Yet Zaha is a player Manchester United don’t need and their supposed interest makes little sense. The primary reason for this is Marcus Rashford. The England international has often been played through the middle this season but with Anthony Martial back from injury, he is expected to move back out to the left flank.
Solskjær has got Martial to crowbar into the starting XI and it’s very likely he’d be used wide on the left. So, again, no space for Zaha. It’s a position the Palace man has been used in on several occasions this season. Well, at United that role has predominately been occupied by James, who has impressed since his move from Swansea City.

The one forward position that is open at United is the No.10 role. Andreas Pereira has filled it on several occasions this term, while Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata are also options. The Ivory Coast international has always done his best work with the ball at his feet 4.88 dribbles completed per 90 in the Premier League this season can only be bettered by three other attackers.
He needs space to operate in – as shown in the touch map above. Time to collect the ball, get up to speed and run at a defender. In the Centre of the pitch, he will simply not get that and his effectiveness would quickly be blunted.
There is no doubting Zaha’s talent: he has the quality to play for Manchester United. It’s just the club that doesn’t have a clear opening for the winger and, given he’d cost £70million, his signing would be a mistake, especially as there are other areas that need urgent surgery. It’s time United prove they have learned from their past mistakes once and for all.
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