The rumours surrounding Sergio Ramos signing for Manchester United are gathering pace and the Spain international, who has lifted every significant trophy with Real Madrid and his national side, would be a fascinating, and much needed, addition to the Premier League club’s playing staff.
United’s Premier League title challenge last season, albeit a limp one, was hugely undermined by injury and no more so than in the defensive third of the field where Louis Van Gaal continuously bemoaned the time key men spent on the treatment table.
Antonio Valencia, featuring mainly as a right wing-back when United reverted to a 5-3-2 or 3-5-2 formation, was the only Red Devil other than Wayne Rooney to take to the pitch on more than 30 occasions in the English top flight and, new recruits aside, the Dutch manager requires consistent selection throughout the spine of his team if the glory days are to return to Old Trafford.
Ramos, a mainstay of the Real side for a decade since arriving in the capital from Sevilla as a teenager, would certainly provide backbone to the Red Devils and, along with his undoubted talented, the Spaniard would also bring some highly sought after leadership skills to the north-west giants.
United failed to successfully replace Nemanja Vidic when their former captain departed for Internazionale 12 months ago, we are yet to see the best of Marcos Rojo in a red shirt, and how Van Gaal would dearly have loved somebody of the Serbian’s stature to rally the troops when things weren’t going to plan last term.
Ramos, Spain’s youngest ever player to earn a 100 caps, is often seen to best effect when faced with a challenge and, despite being nine months short of his thirtieth birthday, no age for a top class centre back, would become United’s eldest defender should he sign.
His vast experience would be hugely beneficial to the likes of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones and the English pair should still believe they have what it takes to stake their claim as first choice regulars under Van Gaal.
Jones, Smalling and the rest of United’s defensive brigade would receive a similar education to the one enjoyed by Jonny Evans for so many years at Carrington when the Irishman trained regularly with Vidic and Rio Ferdinand and Ramos’ arrival could well be the making of them, as reported by our friends at Puremicrogaming, a site that reviews casinos and games powered by Microgaming, and some of the staunchest United fans.
Ramos has all the credentials to become an instant cult hero at United, there are similarities with Eric Cantona, not least a similarly poor disciplinary record to the flamboyant Frenchman, and his apparent willingness to come to England certainly helps United’s cause of securing his signature.
While Ramos has been scouted for his ability at preventing goals, it shouldn’t be overlooked at the threat he carries at the other end too. A total of 50 goals have been plundered for Real Madrid and Spain combined and Ramos did start his career as a striker before finding his feet further back.
The fee, of course, could be a stumbling block – a 200M Euro buy-out clause exists – and it might transpire that any deal hinges on David De Gea moving in the opposite direction.
However, perhaps the capture of his fellow countryman could convince the goalkeeper to remain at Old Trafford and, if that scenario unfolds, United will be well on their way to establishing themselves as credible Premier League title challengers once more.
