Five realistic Manchester United targets for Champions League

Manchester United manager David Moyes has come out and said that United must acquire a few world-class talents before they can realistically consider themselves genuine contenders for Europe’s most prestigious event. In Moyes’ own words,

“To win the Champions League, you need five or six world-class players. Look at Bayern Munich, they have it. Look at Barcelona, who had it in the past and Real Madrid, who have maybe got it now. That’s the level you have to be at to win it. We’ve not got that yet but what we have got is experience.”

Moyes’ ruminations about United’s pedigree come in the wake of their 1-2 home loss against West Bromwich Albion and while the announcement will give many United fans encouragement, they will still be wary after United’s failed public attempts to sign Cesc Fàbregas and Thiago Alcântara from Barcelona, Ander Herrera from Athletic Bilbao, Fábio Coentrão from Real Madrid and Leighton Baines from Everton in the summer transfer window. This uncharacteristic failure in the public eye caused United to come under heavy fire from fans and critics alike.

So, here’s a look at five players United have a realistic chance of buying in the Winter Transfer Window.

1) Ander Herrera

BILBAO, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 16: Ander Herrera of Athletic Club looks on during the La Liga match between Athletic Club and RC Celta de Vigo at San Mames Stadium on September 16, 2013 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

The reports about Manchester United going back in January for the young Spanish playmaker have been doing the rounds ever since it emerged that United had failed to land the starlet in the summer, so this choice is pretty obvious. At 24 years, the Basque-born player is still young, and will fit nicely into United’s youth-signing policy. United’s failure to land Herrera stems from the combined inexperience of David Moyes and Ed Woodward. Bilbao are a Basque club, and like the others of their ilk, field the “cantera” policy- which means they only recruit players from their own region. This makes the selection pool very small for them, and thus they refuse to sell their stars unless forced to do so (read: Buyout Clauses). One feels that Moyes and Woodward’s bid, which was below his reported £30 million buyout clause, failed precisely due to this. After all, this is the same club that allowed Fernando Llorente to leave the club for free rather than accept a lower bid, to set an example. If United do decide to match his evaluation, Herrera would be a welcome addition to the United fold, providing good passing, typically Spanish ball-retention skills, and a knack of even scoring a few goals.

2) Ross Barkley

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 14: Ross Barkley of Everton in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Everton and Chelsea at Goodison Park on September 14, 2013 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

An alternative to Herrera is Everton’s Ross Barkley. This, though, is not as realistic a target as Herrera, as prising away from Everton and Bill Kenwright. The Everton Chairman has already told Moyes to keep his hands-off his former wards, and will be loathe to part with Barkley, England’s latest superstar. It will take a Herculean effort from United to secure the signature of the highly-rated youngster. Barkley has been named as the “Young Rooney”, and with good reason too. He has the same blend of physicality and skill, with that dash of genius that propelled Wayne “Wazza” Rooney into superstardom. Barkley is very good at keeping the ball, a testimony to his physique. He is also a more than fair passer of the ball. His ability to turn a defender, and then unleash deadly shots is something that makes him a formidable opponent.

3) Luke Shaw

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 28: Luke Shaw of Southampton in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Crystal Palace at St Mary

Yet another gem to emerge from the Southampton production-line is talented youngster Luke Shaw. The flighty left-back has been on the radars of major clubs for some time now, and it seems to be only a question of “when” and not “if” that he will make the move. United have been on the lookout for a left-back, with failed bids for Leighton Baines and Fábio Coentrão, and here is where Shaw comes into contention. Though, he is another player who’ll be difficult to prise away from the club. Southampton have witnessed talents such as Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain leave in recent years, and will not want to sell one of their prized assets. At 6ft 1in Shaw is a formidable defender, but has genuine pace on him, and a marked ability to cross. He is also competent defensively, and provides good cover on the flanks with intelligent tracking.

4) Nemanja Mati?

NAPLES, ITALY – AUGUST 09: Nemanja Matic of Benfca in action during the pre-season friendly match between SSC Napoli and SL Benfica at Stadio San Paolo on August 9, 2013 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images)

The Serbian enforcer was in hot demand in the summer. Widely expected to leave Benfica in the summer for Chelsea, incidentally the club who included him as a makeweight in the David Luiz deal, Mati? decided to stay on at the Estádio da Luz. Mati? is a mighty physical presence in the defensive midfielder position. He is very hard to get off the ball, and is also technically gifted. He is adept at making challenges, and, while no Claude Makélélé, possess a good sense of positioning. He is also devastating when he makes runs deep out of midfield. Mati? was one of the main reasons why Benfica reached the Europa League finals last season, and will not come cheap. United may have to cough-up in the excess of £35 million for the hard-man.

5) Alvaro Vadillo

MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 20: Pepe (R) of Real Madrid CF competes for the ball with Alvaro Vadillo (L) of Real Betis Balompie during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Real Betis Balompie at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on April 20, 2013 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

It is common to see the increasing habit of tagging young and upcoming players as the “new so-and-so”. But, what is not so common is to see the player deserved of the tag. So, when such a player comes along with the tag of the “New Cristiano Ronaldo“, it is more than obvious that people will sit up and take notice. Enter Alvaro Vadillo: a prodigiously talented winger from Real Betis. Possessing blistering pace and tricky feet, Vadillo is much more composed than the 18-year old sulky teenager who joined Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon in 2003. He still has much development to undergo, being only 19 years old. Moyes is a manger who has consistently shown his faith in young players, and would relish the chance to have the Spanish youngster.