HomeFeatured ArticlesNico Gaitan - Who is the Manchester United target?

Nico Gaitan – Who is the Manchester United target?

Nicolas Gaitan has been a player linked to the Premier League for the past few years and he appears set to move to Old Trafford, with his agent confirming that talks are set to take place over the next few days. Manchester United have had one season under Louis van Gaal and will be looking to push on to challenge for the title this year after returning to the top four at the first attempt. The defence will be a key area to strengthen for Van Gaal, while creativity was also an issue last season with the club relying on Marouane Fellaini too much in the final third. Gaitan would be a solution to their creative problem and after five seasons with Benfica, he is now ready to test himself in a new league.

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The Argentine is an attacking midfielder capable of playing on the right, left or through the centre. This fluidity to his game will suit United as they could have a very exciting trio of Juan Mata, Angel di Maria and Gaitan behind Wayne Rooney with the three midfielders interchanging throughout the game. He is more comfortable out wide, but his good ball control allows him to make an impact centrally. The Benfica player is happy to have the ball and looks to receive it at all times, making him a good option in the final third, especially in the big matches.

One of the most exciting parts to the midfielder’s game is his ability to be unpredictable in the final third. He has the ability to play acute through balls and to work the keeper from distance with his shots from range. This side to Gaitan’s game makes him difficult to read and he can be a nightmare for defences at times.

The 27 year old does have some areas which he must work on if he is to be a success in England. The most obvious of which is his defensive contribution, which is becoming more and more important in the game of attacking players. It’s even more crucial in the Premier League due to the physicality and the competitiveness of the league, which leaves no place for players who can’t contribute across the pitch.

In the league, Gaitan managed to score four goals and get eleven assists which highlights that he is more of a creator than a scorer, which is exactly what Manchester United need this summer. His experience in the Champions League makes him the right sort of player to add to the squad at Old Trafford, because the club will be aiming to challenge in that competition and experience is vital to do that.

If Manchester United are successful in their chase to land the Argentine, it could show history repeating itself if Angel di Maria leaves the club as Gaitan was his replacement at Benfica and he could now replace him at Old Trafford. The two are similar players, but they could be even more devastating in the same side. Manchester United need to add some quality players to their squad after two years of rebuilding due to the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson. Nicolas Gaitan would be a great signing to start the summer as he has the ability to become one of the league’s most exciting players. The Argentine isn’t as well known due to playing in the Portuguese league for so long, but it is now time for him to prove himself in arguably the biggest league in Europe.

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