FanPost

Summer transfer thread #1

This looks to be a transfer window of change and uncertainty for Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United squad. There are obvious holes to fill in the first 11 and it starts in the engine room. Despite the impact his return had on the second half of the season and commitment to stay on for another year, Paul Scholes isn't getting any younger and there are constant worries that his 37 (soon to be 38) year old legs will begin to show their age, like they did during the '10-'11 campaign.

Additionally, the health concerns involving Darren Fletcher are possibily the most important piece to the moves that will be made this off-season. Fletcher brought something to the squad that no other player on the roster does with his high work-rate and box to box movement. This midfield aspect was missing throughout the season after his departure and was illustrated here by Gene in an article. If the training room staff feel that he can be fit longterm, I see the need for an instant impact CM dimish slightly.

The season long injury battles of Tom Cleverley and Anderson are also worth mentioning due their brilliance in attack at the start of the season. Assuming one of them is able to return to full time action and become a dependable player, health-wise, the squad would be much better positioned going into next year, thus eliminating the type of desperation spending that some teams are want to do.

With the potential for a Fabio loan, the injury concerns of Rafael, and poor form/extensive use of Patrice Evra, cover at both fullback positions appears to be another priority for this summer. Right back is in much better position with the ability to move either Phil Jones or Chris Smalling to there, but left back will be a one man show with the loss of Fabio, as has been rumored. This is a position that many have called for reinforcments as long ago as 2010 and is a real problem if not addressed in this window.

The final position that Alex Ferguson may seek to strengthen is in attack. With the confirmed departure of Michael Owen and the highly likely move by Dmitar Berbatov, there will only be 3 first team strikers on Manchester United's squad. A striker, however, might not be the position in which Ferguson decides to move. While watching rumored United target Shinji Kagawa, it is apparent that he plays as a midfielder positioned much higher up the pitch than any player in the current rotation. This would fit the style that Ferguson has preferred to play during previous, and more successful, European campaigns and may be a move to return to this strategy. With that said, the signing of a young striker with high potential, a la Chicharito, is definitely a possibility.

After the jump is a table with possible moves in and out of the club.....

Needs/confirmed transfers:

* Central Midfielder(s)

* Full Back cover

* Striker

* Shinji Kagawa- AM- Borussia Dortmund- ~£15M- video highlights

* Nick Powell- AM- Crewe Alexandra- ~£5M- video highlights

Rumored Targets:

* Eden Hazard- RW/LW- Lille Chelsea

* Nicolas Gaitan- LW- Benfica

* Robert Lewandowski- ST- Borussia Dortmund

* Luka Modric- CM- Tottenham Hotspur

Transfers out:

* Michael Owen- ST- released

* Paul Pogba- CM- Juventus(not confirmed)

* Tomasz Kuszczak- GK- released

* Oliver Norwood- CM- transfer request

Possible transfers out:

* Dimitar Berbatov- ST

* Bebe- RW

* Kiko Macheda- ST

* Ji-Sung Park- RW/LW/CM

Potential loanees:

* Fabio- LB/RB

* Zeki Fryers- LB/CB

* Ben Amos- GK

* Robert Brady- LW

* Josh King- ST

* Ryan Tunnecliffe- CM

* Michael Keane- ST

* Sam Johnstone- GK

* Will Keane- ST injured

Let me know if there are any errors, additions, or subtractions that I need to make.

Feel free to discuss.

This FanPost represents the view of the member who posts it and does not necessarily reflect the views of <em>The Busby Babe</em> or <em>SB Nation. </em>