Manchester United fans in the Football Transfer Tavern have perked up a bit having seen their side get back to winning ways at the weekend.
Goals from Marouane Fellaini and James Wilson secured a 2-0 win over QPR at Loftus Road and condemmed Harry Redknapp to another week of job speculation.
Louis van Gaal responded to recent criticism by hailing his own tactical changes in West London whilst claiming he didn’t hear the thousands of United fans chanting ‘four-four-two, four-four-two’ during the second half.
Whilst a title challenge seems out of the question, United are still in pole position to secure a place in the Premier League’s top four.
With more than £200 million spent in the last 12 months, you could argue they should be doing more – especially as van Gaal held an identical points record to David Moyes last season following the home defeat to Southampton.
One way to solve that is simply to spend more according to reports, with money seemingly no object to the men from Old Trafford.
Here we have identified 5 ‘most absurd’ Man United rumours heard so far this January.
[ffc-gallery]
Click on Louis van Gaal to reveal 5 ‘most absurd’ Manchester United rumours heard so far this January.
[/ffc-gallery]
Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale only completed a world record move to Spain 18 months ago, yet widespread reports reckon he could be in line to become the most expensive player in world football for the second time in quick succession.
Reports yesterday claimed United were plotting a move worth £100 million for the former Tottenham man which would see David De Gea (valued at £50 million by United) move in the opposite direction, as well as another £50 million cash.
And the move is set to happen because Bale has been criticised in Spain for not passing the ball enough to his team-mates… Really?
Cristiano Ronaldo
The newly crowned winner of the Ballon d’Or is linked with a return to Old Trafford at some point in every transfer window.
This year has been no different with reports emerging as early as October this year that Ronaldo could be making the long awaited return to the club at which he made his name.
Real Madrid are convinced otherwise and United have since turned their attentions to Gareth Bale – apparently.
Lionel Messi
The world’s ‘second best player’ at the moment has also been linked with a move to Old Trafford – a story Messi himself has recently revealed has no truth whatsoever.
Reports earlier in the month claimed the Argentine was unhappy with the ‘turmoil’ at the Camp Nou and would consider a move to either Chelsea, Manchester United or Manchester City.
The three English giants were said to be the only clubs who could afford the staggering £500 million package for the superstar – reports that Messi has since put to bed.
Luis Suarez
Luis Suarez only completed his £75 million move from Liverpool to Barcelona in the summer, yet some reports have suggested he is already in line for a return to England – with Manchester United seemingly a possibility of all places.
Suarez has struggled to recapture the same stunning form he produced in the Premier League last season at the Camp Nou and has been linked with a summer move.
But the prospect of him joining the club who were once considered his bitterest rivals, as well as being the club unwittingly involved in his biggest controversy, seems somewhat unlikely.
Karim Benzema
The third and final member of the Real Madrid front three to be linked with a move to Old Trafford this month is France international Karim Benzema.
The former Lyon man is ‘not the long term answer’ for Carlo Ancelotti according to reports and has grown unhappy with life in Spain after the club registered an interest in Luis Suarez in the summer.
He is said to be available for £40 million but quite where he would fit into a front line that already boasts Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao is anyone’s guess.
