Despite having only arrived last summer for a British record £59.7m, Angel di Maria’s future at the Theatre of Dreams has been the subject of intense debate for months. An initial flurry of fine showings were rudely punctured by a dip in form over the winter period, and by the time the last ball of game 38 was kicked, the Argentine was behind Ashley Young in the pecking order and the ‘hoof ball’ approach with Marouane Fellaini deployed was seen as more attractive than Di Maria’s brand of technical football by Louis van Gaal.
Although reports now claim that LVG wants to keep his big money gamble, he is also aware that retaining an unhappy player is hardly worth the effort, opening the door for a switch to Paris Saint-Germain. Di Maria himself is understood to be unsettled, so there’s every chance this once promising romance will end in a swift divorce.
Selling a big name won’t really send out the message of power United are attempting to display now they’re back in the Champions League, so perhaps bringing in a ‘marquee’ signing with the cash injection is something being talked about behind the scenes… and here are FIVE viable options.
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Edinson Cavani
Reports claim that LVG is eager to land Cavani from PSG, so the Di Maria saga could provide the Premier League side with some leverage in negotiations. The Uruguayan has been linked with moves away from the Parc des Princes now for some time, with his love/hate relationship with fellow forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic a bit of an issue for both the players and the Ligue 1 club.
Although a striker, Cavani has been operating from a wider role for much of his time in Paris, with the big Swede clearly top dog in the French capital. Van Gaal could offer him guaranteed football in his favoured role, with the opportunity to drop Wayne Rooney a little deeper likely to tempt the Dutchman – he deployed him in central midfield last term.
Despite his issues at PSG, Cavani has blasted 34 Ligue 1 goals in his two seasons, building on a stellar final campaign with Napoli in which he found the back of the net 29 times in Serie A.
Nicolas Otamendi
By no means a replacement for Di Maria, Otamendi appears to be the ideal ‘marquee’ buy to bolster LVG’s defensive ranks. The whole Sergio Ramos saga stinks of a player attempting to secure one last big contract at his current side, but the Argentine centre-back looks to be hungry to step up to the next level from Valencia, so is perhaps motivated to make a move for the right reasons.
Not quite as well known as Ramos, Otamendi presents, arguably, a better long-term option for United, with the 27-year-old entering his peak years, and not renowned for his red card antics – like his Spanish rival.
Thomas Muller
A striker is clearly United’s aim for the coming months, and in Muller they could land one of the very best in the business. Although not truly a standout player in any real aspect – he’s not massively pacey, not powerful, doesn’t carry a real aura and has not been heralded as a headline-grabber – the German has carved out a stellar reputation for being greater than the sum of his parts.
United are thought to be looking to launch a £50m raid, and although Bayern Munich are unlikely to be eager to sell up, the Red Devils could realistically get their man. After all, who would have predicted a few weeks ago that Bastian Schweinsteiger would be playing under Louis van Gaal now?
Robert Lewandowski
Another striker believed to be on United’s radar is Lewandowski, also of Bayern Munich. The Poland international has emerged as a target for the Red Devils following the exit of Robin van Persie, and his ability to lead the line alone suggests that he could be a wise replacement for the departed Dutchman.
United have been given further encouragement by Lewandowski’s agent, who has claimed that a move to England appeals to his client…. Although he will cost in excess of £35m.
Only Cristiano Ronaldo (39) and Lionel Messi (26) have scored more champions League goals than Lewandowski (22) over the past three seasons.
Nicolas Gaitan
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An option mooted as a replacement for Di Maria for some time, Gaitan is more ‘like for like’ than any of the other names on this list, even though he may be a little underwhelming to be hailed as a ‘marquee’ man. However, with an estimated cost of around £20m and with two Portuguese league winner’s medals to his name in the past 24 months, the Argentine is, seemingly, a good option, with his guile and technique from wide offering a tempting option for LVG.
Gaitan also has Champions League experience, which may be of use as Van Gaal’s side gear up for a return to the big time.