Angel di Maria is on the verge of completing a move to Paris Saint-Germain which is extremely disappointing for most Manchester United supporters. But Louis van Gaal needs to look at the practical side of things and think about replacements.
While the task could be made easier because di Maria didn’t really contribute with a lot of goals or assists after a certain amount of time, if Manchester United want to fight for trophies and make a title challenge this season, they need to bring in a star player to replace the Argentinean.
One name to be linked to the Red Devils is PSG and Brazil’s Lucas Moura. It is not the first time the attacker has been linked with a move to the Premier League giants as they were in fact, interested in bringing him to the club in the summer of 2012, when the player decided to sign for the French club instead.
Most football enthusiasts will be aware of Moura’s qualities and strengths. The Brazilian possesses pace, power, trickery, skill, and technique. His incredible speed allows him to swiftly get down the field and be a thorn for the opposite defenders and his quick feet give him the dubiousness to weave throughout the defence and go into the striking distance.
He is a brilliant dribbler of the ball, often accused of overdoing it. He can get past his opponents with much ease, with the ball at his feet and his direct style running at defenders.
Moura didn’t play a big role in PSG’s end of season run in as he struggled to return to complete fitness then. But exempting that, this was unarguably his best season in a PSG shirt and at one point he looked like a contender for the player-of-the-season. He ended the season with seven goals and five assists and this tally could have been better if he managed to keep himself fit.
Moura recently extended his contract which shows that the club values his services. It makes little or no sense if Blanc decides to sell him. However, it won’t be unheard of and the fact that United are letting Di Maria depart for PSG might help their cause.
For Manchester United, getting him would make perfect sense. He could add a lot of strength to the side and only help their chances further to compete against the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City.
For the player though, it wouldn’t be a particularly wise move. His playing time would be curtailed at Old Trafford as there is immense competition for places. Moura is only 22 and is at that stage of his development, where he needs to be playing every week and at PSG, he has that chance.
Moura’s goal for the upcoming season should rightly be getting back to full fitness, rediscovering the same form and ultimately re-establishing himself in the Brazil squad. He has a better chance of achieving it at his existing club as opposed to at Manchester United.
Written by Aakriti Mehrotra
Follow Aakriti on Twitter @Aakriti1
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