Manchester United Football Club are one of the biggest sporting teams in the world; ever. No transfer window in the footballing world would be normal without the hundreds of rumours surrounding the Premier League Champions and this December hasn’t disappointed. We aren’t even in the all-important month of January and journalists and fans alike have scoured the depth of their minds to find any possible sign that Cristiano Ronaldo may return, or Koke may leave an on-form Atletico Madrid side for Manchester United. I will look at these rumours, ridiculous and surprisingly believable and see how the players would fit in, in David Moyes Manchester United team.
Koke
Jorge Resurreccion, or Koke as he is better known, as taken the Spanish league by a storm in the last 18 months. Under Diego Simeone at Atleti he has developed and taken his game to another level, raking in the interest from top clubs around the World.
He left Atletico’s youth setup in 2008, joining the senior squad. He went to the B team for a year, made his debut for the first team in September 2009. He continued to make a couple more appearances for the first team but often returned to the B team set up. He ended up with 66 appearances for them.
He left Atletico’s youth setup in 2008, joining the senior squad. He went to the B team for a year, made his debut for the first team in September 2009. He continued to make a couple more appearances for the first team but often returned to the B team set up. He ended up with 66 appearances for them.
In 2011, Koke made the big step-up. He made 17 appearances, grabbing himself 2 goals while he was at it. It was 2012 where he really exploded though. He began the season at just 20 years of age and made 48 appearances under Diego Simeone, 38 of them in the starting line-up. He scored 2 more goals and became one of the fan favourites at the club.
So far this season he’s been pivotal to an Atletico side that’s taken the Liga BBVA by a storm. He’s got himself 8 assists as well as 3 goals.
The rumours about Koke leaving his boyhood side in favour of Manchester United started a few weeks before Christmas. They continued and grew stronger as December continued and got colder but United’s chances were given a blow when the Spaniard midfielder revealed he wanted to stay in Spain ‘for now’ or that’s what the Independent say at least.
How would he fit in though? He has the ability to play anywhere in front of the midfield, as well as being able to play in, what is most important for United at the moment, midfield.
Similarly to United and David Moyes, Atletico and Simeone play a 4-4-2, which is rare in today’s game. Koke suits it perfectly. Playing on the right hand side at Atleti he has the option, and the ability to take advantage of the position and the fact that defenders aren’t as quick as him from the starting block. He often takes on his man, quickly skipping past him and drilling the ball across the top for either David Villa or Diego Costa to get their head to. He also uses his pace and strength to leave defenders standing helpless when he cuts inside. He sometimes takes a pop at goal from outside the box but usually calms the play down a bit, playing it out wide or popping a ball into the box.
We have yet to see him complete a full season in midfield for Atleti but his power and strength and nimbleness on the left shows promise for him playing in midfield and United shouldn’t need to be looking at him to put in a bid anymore, the talent is clear to see.
So far this season he’s been pivotal to an Atletico side that’s taken the Liga BBVA by a storm. He’s got himself 8 assists as well as 3 goals.
The rumours about Koke leaving his boyhood side in favour of Manchester United started a few weeks before Christmas. They continued and grew stronger as December continued and got colder but United’s chances were given a blow when the Spaniard midfielder revealed he wanted to stay in Spain ‘for now’ or that’s what the Independent say at least.
How would he fit in though? He has the ability to play anywhere in front of the midfield, as well as being able to play in, what is most important for United at the moment, midfield.
Similarly to United and David Moyes, Atletico and Simeone play a 4-4-2, which is rare in today’s game. Koke suits it perfectly. Playing on the right hand side at Atleti he has the option, and the ability to take advantage of the position and the fact that defenders aren’t as quick as him from the starting block. He often takes on his man, quickly skipping past him and drilling the ball across the top for either David Villa or Diego Costa to get their head to. He also uses his pace and strength to leave defenders standing helpless when he cuts inside. He sometimes takes a pop at goal from outside the box but usually calms the play down a bit, playing it out wide or popping a ball into the box.
We have yet to see him complete a full season in midfield for Atleti but his power and strength and nimbleness on the left shows promise for him playing in midfield and United shouldn’t need to be looking at him to put in a bid anymore, the talent is clear to see.
Everton Ribeiro
United have lacked the little spark all year but in looking for that special someone to partner PFA Player of the Year nominee, Michael Carrick, they have stumbled across Everton Ribeiro.
However cringey you may have thought he was when he told the press he knows the team because he has played with them on FIFA, there is no doubt he’s a decent player, why would United go for him if he wasn’t?
Everton Ribeiro is a midfielder for Cruzeiro. Oddly for a Brazilian, Ribeiro developed quite late. At 24, he is no young boy and should be nearing his prime. However, Brazilian football experts are certain he is nowhere near it yet. Once more, however, they say he may not reach it because of the slow start he had in his footballing career at the highest level.
However cringey you may have thought he was when he told the press he knows the team because he has played with them on FIFA, there is no doubt he’s a decent player, why would United go for him if he wasn’t?
Everton Ribeiro is a midfielder for Cruzeiro. Oddly for a Brazilian, Ribeiro developed quite late. At 24, he is no young boy and should be nearing his prime. However, Brazilian football experts are certain he is nowhere near it yet. Once more, however, they say he may not reach it because of the slow start he had in his footballing career at the highest level.
Like Koke, Ribeiro is extremely versatile. He can play on both flanks as well as enjoying playing in the middle, behind the striker. What you may be thinking and probably should be thinking if you are a United fan is: But United need a midfielder, not another number 10.
But Ribeiro isn’t your usual attacking play maker, yes he is a play maker, yes he is attacking but he has the ability to get back without stretching his involvement upfront.
In saying this, I don’t want to make him sound like a footballing genius or one of the best players United could get. Somewhere like Portugal or Italy may be a better destination but for an estimated price of $8 million it could be a bargain for David Moyes. And the player certainly wants the move.
But Ribeiro isn’t your usual attacking play maker, yes he is a play maker, yes he is attacking but he has the ability to get back without stretching his involvement upfront.
In saying this, I don’t want to make him sound like a footballing genius or one of the best players United could get. Somewhere like Portugal or Italy may be a better destination but for an estimated price of $8 million it could be a bargain for David Moyes. And the player certainly wants the move.
William Carvalho
At 45 million euros, Carvalho certainly wouldn’t be cheap. However, he is thought to be one of the best young talents in the World.
Carvalho has had a brilliant start to the season and has been pivotal in Sporting Lisbon’s great start. They lie in first place on goal difference currently and Carvalho has had a huge role in getting them there.
He’s just over 4 months older than Koke, at 21. His key strengths, his best attributes, are tackling, passing and strength. Sounds similar to a certain Irishmen, a certain Mr. Roy Keane. United have lacked a player like Keane and Carvalho seems one of the options to finally replace him.
Carvalho has had a brilliant start to the season and has been pivotal in Sporting Lisbon’s great start. They lie in first place on goal difference currently and Carvalho has had a huge role in getting them there.
He’s just over 4 months older than Koke, at 21. His key strengths, his best attributes, are tackling, passing and strength. Sounds similar to a certain Irishmen, a certain Mr. Roy Keane. United have lacked a player like Keane and Carvalho seems one of the options to finally replace him.
Back in November, in Lisbon’s derby against Benfica where they dramatically lost 4-3, Carvalho got himself a goal as well as impressing many neutral onlookers with a positive performance.
United have sent scouts to watch him 6 times now and David Moyes is clearly extremely interested in him. Clubs all round the World will also be interested so United will need to snap him up quickly to get him for as cheap as possible, and be sure of getting him.
Carvalho has played in a defensive midfield role this season to suit his teammates. He helps out defensively but more importantly, gives the two central midfielders in front of him the chance to attack and push on. This is similar to how Fernandinho and Yaya Toure work together and Carvalho would give someone attacking like Tom Cleverley or Marouane Fellaini the chance to get involved with the frontmen in Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie. Although he isn’t what United may initially be looking for, he would bring another dimension to the Champions.
United have sent scouts to watch him 6 times now and David Moyes is clearly extremely interested in him. Clubs all round the World will also be interested so United will need to snap him up quickly to get him for as cheap as possible, and be sure of getting him.
Carvalho has played in a defensive midfield role this season to suit his teammates. He helps out defensively but more importantly, gives the two central midfielders in front of him the chance to attack and push on. This is similar to how Fernandinho and Yaya Toure work together and Carvalho would give someone attacking like Tom Cleverley or Marouane Fellaini the chance to get involved with the frontmen in Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie. Although he isn’t what United may initially be looking for, he would bring another dimension to the Champions.