ASSESSING UNITED"S NEW SIGNINGS

Wow! How time flies. It seems like yesterday that the transfer window opened and before we could blink our eyes, BAM! The transfer market has gone and the season has fully begun. The transfer market exhibited a lot of twists, turns, suspense, speculations and controversial moves.

Manchester united like any other ambitious football club was very active during the transfer window and United’s activeness in the transfer market owes to the fact that the club wants to reclaim back the English premiership title (which was lost on goal difference last season) from the hands of arch-rival Manchester City and the club’s intent to reclaim its dominant force in Europe following a dismal performance at the uefa competitions (Champions league and Europa cup).

Here is UnitedEcho’s assessment of Manchester United’s summer signings:

SHINJI KAGAWA

The 23 year old Japanese playmaker was bought for an amount in the region of 12 million pounds after being monitored for over a year at Dortmund. Shinji was bought for 2 reasons:

1)   To penetrate more into Asian market following the imminent departure of Ji Sung Park.

2)   To add to our attacking options.

So far, he has shown us a glimpse of what made Fergie acquire him via his passing ability, quick vision and scoring ability. He has adjusted to life fairly in England and from UnitedEcho’s assessment of him, there is more to come from him.

At present, he is playing behind striker but in the near future, I think he will play deep in our midfield.

ROBIN VAN PERSIE (RVP)

Robin VanPersie ended the 2011/12 season as the league’s top scorer banging in 30 premier league goals with 37 goals in all competitions.  He started his Manchester United career on a bright note by opening his goal scoring account with a trademark volley in first start of the season at home against Fulham which was followed by a spectacular hat-trick away at Southampton. He has been compared to his fellow compatriot United legend (Ruud VanNistelrooy) and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (whose shirt number he wears).

Pundits have tipped him as a major contender for the EPL top goal scorer award with the likes of Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero. RVP is a real value for money. He will fill the goal scoring void left unfilled by Wellbeck and Chicharito if he remains injury free.

NICK POWELL

The 4 million Pound United signing from Crewe Alexandra is still a work-in-progress. Though he had decent games during the pre-season matches, only time will tell where and how he will fit-in in United’s plan.

ALEXANDRE BUTTNER

He was bought in as a cover for Patrice Evra at the left back position and impressed in the match against Spurs under 21 team. He has the potential to succeed at Man Utd but I doubt if he can cope with the pressure of playing for a big club like United.

ANGELO HENRIQUEZ

The fact that Arsenal, Chelsea and other big clubs in Europe were in the race to sign the former Universidad de Chile starlet goes to show he is a promising player. He can’t really be judged for now in that he has not kicked a ball for United but all I can say is he is far from being a finished product but under the tutelage of Sir Alex, the star in him will be brought out.