Our thoroughly scientific method reveals that the mercurial Dutchman would fire United to a league and cup doubt.
This could be the most important January transfer window in the history of Manchester United.
Injuries, dissent and a farcical summer of dysfunction have so far defined the post-Ferguson era, with up-and-down results under new boss David Moyes.
Yet although his ambitious plans to fix the club’s long-standing midfield deficiencies backfired in August, there remains a sense that the right signing in January could turn the Red Devils ’ season around.
With Michael Carrick injured and Tom Cleverley looking more like a useful back-up than a top-four-worthy starter, Moyes must find a new midfield general to create goals, control games and knit his team together as they seek to pull off a momentous comeback in the title race.
Using the prophetic powers of the best-selling football simulation game, Football Manager, we have put five of the names linked with a move to United through their paces with the club, uncovering some surprising results. Will it be a case of second time lucky for Moyes in the transfer window or has the damage to United’s season already been done? Read on to find out.
League appearances: 10
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
Average rating: 6.41
League finish: Fourth (Behind Man City, Chelsea, Liverpool)
Other trophies: None
Having missed the chance to move to Old Trafford back in the summer, Herrera finally put an end to this protracted and complex transfer saga in mid-January. Unfortunately, United fans were soon left wondering if they’d bagged another expensive dud after Marouane Fellaini’s tepid start to life in Manchester, with the ex-Athletic Club midfielder achieving little of note in a red shirt.
But while Herrera was rather disappointing on an individual level, his presence as a more combative alternative to Carrick actually helped the Belgian and United’s other recent maligned signing, Shinji Kagawa, to impose themselves.
And though he may have been somewhat pedestrian, his usefulness as an option to rotate and rest Carrick and Ryan Giggs did allow Moyes to guide his team to fourth at the expense of Arsenal.
League appearances: 11
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
Average rating: 6.64
League finish: Fourth (Behind Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal)
Other trophies: None
Like his compatriot from the Basque country, Koke was hardly the immediately decisive figure United fans were hoping the club would source in January, yet the prodigious youngster, signed from Atletico Madrid, did help Moyes to again reach fourth place.
Injuries, dissent and a farcical summer of dysfunction have so far defined the post-Ferguson era, with up-and-down results under new boss David Moyes.
Yet although his ambitious plans to fix the club’s long-standing midfield deficiencies backfired in August, there remains a sense that the right signing in January could turn the Red Devils ’ season around.
With Michael Carrick injured and Tom Cleverley looking more like a useful back-up than a top-four-worthy starter, Moyes must find a new midfield general to create goals, control games and knit his team together as they seek to pull off a momentous comeback in the title race.
Using the prophetic powers of the best-selling football simulation game, Football Manager, we have put five of the names linked with a move to United through their paces with the club, uncovering some surprising results. Will it be a case of second time lucky for Moyes in the transfer window or has the damage to United’s season already been done? Read on to find out.
Ander Herrera
Transfer fee: £32 millionLeague appearances: 10
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
Average rating: 6.41
League finish: Fourth (Behind Man City, Chelsea, Liverpool)
Other trophies: None
Having missed the chance to move to Old Trafford back in the summer, Herrera finally put an end to this protracted and complex transfer saga in mid-January. Unfortunately, United fans were soon left wondering if they’d bagged another expensive dud after Marouane Fellaini’s tepid start to life in Manchester, with the ex-Athletic Club midfielder achieving little of note in a red shirt.
But while Herrera was rather disappointing on an individual level, his presence as a more combative alternative to Carrick actually helped the Belgian and United’s other recent maligned signing, Shinji Kagawa, to impose themselves.
And though he may have been somewhat pedestrian, his usefulness as an option to rotate and rest Carrick and Ryan Giggs did allow Moyes to guide his team to fourth at the expense of Arsenal.
Koke
Transfer fee: £28 millionLeague appearances: 11
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
Average rating: 6.64
League finish: Fourth (Behind Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal)
Other trophies: None
Like his compatriot from the Basque country, Koke was hardly the immediately decisive figure United fans were hoping the club would source in January, yet the prodigious youngster, signed from Atletico Madrid, did help Moyes to again reach fourth place.
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