It’s hard to understand what Ferguson is ACTUALLY looking for this summer. He has signed a creative midfielder in Kagawa, so creativity shouldn’t be a problem for United. But the pursuit for Lucas Moura really brought out the question of Ferguson’s thought process.
Lucas Moura is pretty much a forward. His preferred position is as an attacking midfielder, but like most other modern wingers, he is simply best as a winger/forward. So if Ferguson wanted another attacking midfielder, what had he thought of Kagawa then? And if he was looking for a winger, what was to be the future of Nani? Only Ferguson knows the answer, but luckily United failed in the pursuit of Lucas Moura.
But what most critics are craving for, is a defensive midfielder. Someone who possesses the capability of Roy Keane. Ferguson was never able to replace Roy Keane. Michael Carrick was brought in, but he dramatically failed. United lacked a defensive midfielder last season, someone like Yaya Toure.
However, contrary to the above, I haven’t heard United being linked to a defensive midfielder this summer. There were a few speculations about Kevin Strootman and Javi Martinez earlier, but none of them were true. So, does Ferguson intend to play Carrick, Cleverley or Scholes in that region? Again, only Ferguson knows.
Another factor is that, maybe Ferguson sees Kagawa as a replacement to Ji Sung Park; someone who plays occasionally and shows up in big matches.
The pursuit of Robin van Persie brings another set of questions to my mind. Robin van Persie can play at 4 different positions; on either wing, behind a striker, and as a striker himself. Since Lucas Moura’s pursuit failed, is he looking for another winger? Or does he just want to bring him in, to add a different dimension to his team? Ferguson already has plenty of strikers. Why waste money on another?
Another possible situation, though unlikely, is to covert Rooney into an attacking midfielder, and play with two other strikers. I know, this is definitely not going to happen, but Rooney is creative enough to provide for two other strikers. When Fergie wants to play ultra-attacking, he may use this.
All this brings us to one conclusion: Ferguson wants to sign one forward, and one midfielder. Although he is most likely going to sign another attacking midfielder, the need is a defensive midfielder.