Four reasons Bale should be Man United's top transfer target

2. A square peg for a square hole:

When United signed Robin van Persie from Arsenal last year, there was general consensus that it was a great purchase for the club, but not quite one that addressed their deepest area of concern; the midfield. A year later, with Paul Scholes retired again, United’s midfield remains just as devoid of glamour as ever. Yet, it is not the central area which United lacks in, considering how Carrick, Jones, Cleverley, Kagawa and others have fared. Disciplined workman-like performances have kept the United engine chugging along, but that spark of brilliance has been missing ever since dear Cristiano departed for Spanish pastures.

Nani, Valencia, Young, and even Welbeck and Kagawa have been played out wide at various times; none managing to pin down a regular spot. United’s famed 4 – 4 – 2 approach has failed to pay off on more occasions than ever before, with a winger rarely getting past the opposition defence. Zaha might change all that. Gareth Bale definitely will.