Get Serious United! Eidur Plus One …
Is striker Eidur Gudjohnsen the next man in at Old Trafford ?
Press reports have the deal all but wrapped-up after the Icelander issued a ‘come and get me’ plea to Sir Alex.
” If Barcelona decide to place me in the market then I need to study all the details. But a perfect choice for me will be a club that plays in the Champions League. Obviously Manchester United fit that category,” the former Bolton and Chelsea star told the Daily Mail.
“I don’t think I have failed in Spain but perhaps I have not totally won the confidence of the coach. If I leave then my ideal idea would be to return to British football.
United are said to be out in front in the chase for Gudjohnsen as Barcelona want defender Gerard Pique as part of a cash plus player trade. Sir Alex will be loath to part with the young defender. Pique performed well on loan in Spain and Ferguson rewarded the player with the promise of a squad place this season. But the emergence of Jonny Evans and the relative youth of Vidic and Ferdinand might tempt the manager into taking up the opportunity to land Gudjohnsen, a player he is said to admire.
So, a story as neat as this should have but one conclusion – Eidur and United thrash out the details of a move to the Champions whilst Pique returns home.
Not so fast!
Whilst Gudjohnsen is a skilled frontman who could offer United excellent cover for Rooney, he does not appear as the type of player the team needs right now.
Whether fans like it or not, United are moving towards 4-2-3-1 or its variant 4-3-3. The first 10 names on the United team sheet next term are well-known:
Van Der Sar,
Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra,
Hargreaves, Carrick
Ronaldo Scholes Rooney
Wayne Rooney could start on the left, as he has done in European matches or up front, providing an opportunity for either Giggs, Nani or Anderson.
If Sir Alex goes with a European formation, a new striker would be necessary, if United are serious about going one better in Europe and holding onto the title. History proves Saha wont survive the year intact and Alan Smith is a large bid away from a transfer.
This explains why the Anelka to United tale had a ring of truth about it, given the Bolton forward’s gifts and his affordable price tag.
The arrival of a quality front man would give the manager on paper, his best squad in years. If Ferguson really is finished with Giuseppe Rossi, then few fans would quibble if a deal can be done to bring in Gudjohnsen, even at the expense of Pique. But surely, it has to be Gudjonsen plus another striker if United really intend to solve their problems in attack.
