The new Manchester United manager is keeping his cards very close to his chest with regards summer recruits.
It may be frustrating for Manchester United fans, who were hoping for some marquee signings by now, but it is obviously the wise course of action for a new coach coming into a huge club.
We also believe that, having seen his squad in action on a couple of occasions now, he will be impressed with what there is available to him already.
LvG will possibly try to add a couple more wingbacks now that the 5-3-2 system seems here to stay.
But looking at the squad, his most obvious hole in the side is in the holding midfield area.
Darren Fletcher has performed well pre-season but he’s a fading force. Tom Cleverley was awful when given the captaincy against Roma, making several unforced errors. Anderson is already gone in spirit with Fellaini reportedly likely to follow him of the door. That leaves Michael Carrick, who is out for three months with an ankle injury.
The player that most Manchester United fans want is Arturo Vidal. The Juventus president was quoted yesterday seemingly closing the door to a move. But, we feel that there was a subtext which is leaving that door ajar if the player wants to leave. A Bola quotes Guiseppe Marotta as saying:
“Our ideas are clear. Renewed the contract of Vidal few months ago because we know his importance in the team. We do not want to sell Vidal.
Never activate any clause to try to sell it. If the player does not show a willingness to leave, our position will remain unchanged. “
On the surface it seems like they won’t sell. But the bit about him leaving if he expresses a desire to do so suggests to us that Juve are indeed prepared to sell at the right price. They can keep the fans onside and make a huge amount of money by saying that they wanted to keep Vidal but that the player agitated for a move.
As usual, it will all come down to money. Will Juve get what they want i.e. an exorbitant amount of cash? And how much do Manchester United need and want him?
The rumours this week have suggested that Manchester United are prepared to go to £48m. If thats true and Juve are holding out for even more money for a 27 year old with little to no sell on value, then Manchester United simply have to concede defeat.
But we think that this story has more to give. Manchester United fans: is he worth £48m?