Luka Modric and Nemanja Vidic – Through the Old Trafford Doors

Ahead of the undoubtedly manic and unfortunately frustrating transfer window, we’re putting together a mini-series of articles where a set of seven United fans each look at two players that they would like to see enter the doors at Old Trafford this summer. We’ve asked all the contributors to be ‘realistic’ in the players they pick – something that leaves each and everyone with a hard choice under the Glazer’s regime. Each day this week, there will be a new article, from a different contributor, looking into two different potential signings. Check all the articles written so far here, and read Dale from StrettyNews‘ thoughts on Luka Modric and controversially Nemanja Vidic.

It’s that time of year again when Manchester United are linked with every Tom, Dick and Harry in the market. In recent years, it has been taken over with midfielders of different qualities. From holding midfielders, box-to-box and playmakers, we have seen it all. Last summer though, we witnessed a brand new level of desperateness from United fans across the world. Social media played a big role with supporters sending Wesley Sneijder’s wife, mother and brother messages on Twitter wondering about his whereabouts. Sad, you may think, but silly season can bring the worst out in people.

It’s important to keep your cool unless something is confirmed. Basically since 2009, United have missed out on five major signings. Those are Karim Benzema, David Villa, Wesley Sneijder, Samir Nasri and Eden Hazard. It’s surprising that we didn’t manage to land at least one of them but football is never short of a few twists, especially in the transfer market. Was it entirely down to wages that we got none of those players? Some would think so. #Glazernomics.

The first player I am going to mention is Luka Modric. Since signing for Tottenham Hotspur in 2008 he has been on many people’s radar including Sir Alex Ferguson, who is never too shy to back down from offering praise to the Croatian midfielder. Manchester United’s biggest problem from midfield last season was the fact we didn’t press our opponents as much as we should. I reckon a box-to-box player with creativity in his game like Modric would help fix that.

He would offer a lot to the current team and I don’t think Spurs would hesitate if we bided around 30 million pounds for his signature. Chelsea tried last summer but it wouldn’t surprise me if Modric himself told Redknapp and Levy that he’d give one more year at White Heart Lane and without Champions League football next season, I reckon a bid of that value would be met with several handshakes.

Next up is surprisingly a player already in our squad but he will be like a new signing next season after spending months on the sidelines since damaging cruciate knee ligaments in the Champions League trip to Basel in December. Nemanja Vidic was missing for more than half of the season and if it wasn’t for Jonny Evans stepping up to the plate, we wouldn’t have finished anywhere near level points with Manchester City. I suppose there will always be those that believe if Vidic didn’t pick up such a serious injury, United would have won the league. Football isn’t a game of ‘what if’ though.

Phil Jones and Chris Smalling gained plenty of experience last season playing in different roles. One of them being centre back will have more security next season with Vidic back in action. This won’t only show an improvement at centre back but right back also, allowing Jones and Smalling get familiar with one of their many positions. Vidic also brings something else in which we lacked last season and that’s leadership. Rio Ferdinand and himself will re-unite in the heart of United’s defence with Jonny Evans ready whenever called upon.