What’s the Manchester United squad worth?
Silly season is well and truly underway this summer.
Ander Herrera, Luke Shaw, Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas, Filipe Luis, Alexis Sanchez, Lazar Markovic, Dejan Lovren, Calum Chambers and Romelu Lukaku have all moved clubs this summer for huge fees whileLuis Suarez and James Rodriguez have joined the Top 5 most expensive transfers list ever meaning all 5 deals have happened since 2009.
Transfer fees have gone into an incredible upward spiral in recent years which have seen the spend of many clubs spiral out of control. So much so, that FFP has been introduced to control spending.
With all these massive transfers and inflated fees, I decided to value every member of the Manchester United first team squad in today’s market.
GOALKEEPER:
David De Gea – £35M
David De Gea joined Manchester United for a fee of £18M four summers ago from Atletico Madrid already a serial winner. Having won the Europa League and Copa Del Rey with his boyhood club, De Gea signed for United and has since bulked up to become an even better goalkeeper. His reflexes are top notch while his new physique makes him a match for any attacker in the air. His distribution is among the best in the world for a goalkeeper and makes him almost irreplaceable for Manchester United. Only a bid of £35M+ would make United consider selling Spain’s future No.1.
Anders Lindegaard – £5M-7M
Lindegaard was signed initially as back up to David De Gea for a lowly fee. However after De Gea’s rocky start, Lindegaard’s steady hands found himself as United’s No.1 for a short period. After Sir Alex Ferguson restored faith in De Gea, Lindegaard rarely got a look in. However, his steady hands, cool head and undoubted talent when it comes to saving his side points, Lindegaard would be many teams No.1 choice between the sticks. With Ben Amos and Sam Johnstone waiting in the wings and younger than the Dane, United would probably let Lindegaard go for a fee between £5M-7M.
DEFENDERS:
Chris Smalling – £15M
Loved and hated by United fans, mocked by opposition fans. Chris Smalling is a commanding centre back, often played out of position at right-back and remembered for those horror shows. Smalling is a solid central defender with bags of pace. His strength and aerial prowess make him an asset in both penalty areas and mean that Smalling is an underrated member of the Manchester United squad. Not as comfortable on the ball as he should be but still only 24, Smalling has plenty of time to assert himself as a mainstay at the heart of the Manchester United defence. He’s been linked with Arsenal in the past and a bid of at least £15M would be necessary to take the full England international away from Old Trafford.
Phil Jones – £30M
Phil Jones, future Manchester United captain. Jones has the brightest future of all the defenders at the club. Only 22 years old, Jones has been at the club for three years already, joining from Blackburn for a fee rising to £17M. Jones was touted by Sir Alex Ferguson as having enough potential to be “one of the best players in this club’s history”. Jones’ career has stagnated through injury and being played in a number of positions. However under Van Gaal he looks set to stay at center back and looks as steady as ever on tour. With all the potential in the world and a big reputation already amongst some major figures behind the scenes as well as being a true fan favourite any club vying for his signature would need to stump up at least £30M in today’s market.
Jonny Evans – £20M
Evans, like Smalling, is another of our central defenders who is vastly underrated amongst opposition fans. After a shaky start to his Manchester United career, Evans has gone on to become a top level center back. His passing ability on both feet is up there with the very best ball playing central defenders, while his ability in the air makes him a threat at set pieces. Deceptively quick, agile and a leader on the pitch many fans have called for Evans to be given the captaincy this season by Louis van Gaal. While that remains unlikely, Evans will undoubtedly be a key player in van Gaal’s side as United look to get back into the Champions League. If Dejan Lovren can go for £20M, Evans should only be sold for a similar price.
Source: [manutd.com]
Rafael – £12-16M
Brazilian right-back came to the club as a teenager and trained with the first team at the age of 16. He broke into the first team at just 18 years old and eventually took over the right-back berth and No.2 shirt from the legendary Gary Neville. Energetic and aggressive down the right flank, Rafael has endeared himself to the Old Trafford faithful over the years and is now battling it out with Antonio Valencia for the right-wing spot. His injury record is woeful which would see his value decrease, but a bid in the region of £12M-16M would probably be enough.
Antonio Valencia – £10M
Signed initially as the replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, the Ecuador winger has blown hot and cold during his time at Manchester United. He had an electrifying start at the club forming a superb partnership with Wayne Rooney before he broke his leg in a horrible accident against Rangers. He finally recovered but has never really been the same since. He doesn’t beat his player as often as he used to and often slows an attack down, often to stillness at times. Van Gaal has placed him at right wing-back during the tour and he’s performed well. He was rewarded with a new three-year contract prior to this season beginning which has undoubtedly seen his value rise again. A bid of £10M+ would see him leave the club, although he would be tough to replace for a similar fee.
MIDFIELDERS:
Tom Cleverley – £12M
Cleverley’s is a player that divides opinion like no other at Manchester United. Ac academy graduate, Cleverley had a bright future from a young age and was tipped to make it at Old Trafford as a key member of United’s midfield. However after a bright start to his career at the club, fans began to turn on Cleverley for his safe style of play and lack of creativity. A good option in a three man midfield, Cleverley could be useful to keep around the squad. However, as he’s unlikely to be first choice the club would likely listen to offers for him. Add on your English inflation fee, United would probably get between £10M-15M for Cleverley, with Arsenal and Everton rumoured to be interested.
Anderson – £2M
Anderson is surplus to requirements at United these days. After years of hoping this year would be his year, his time has finally run out. After spending 6 months out on loan last year at Fiorentina, they rejected the chance to sign him permanently. With no squad number and no future at the club, Anderson would be allowed to leave for a measly fee of just £2M.
Marouane Fellaini – £20M-£25M
Fellaini has been courted by fans and media ever since his deadline day signing was announced last year for £27.5M. A symbol of the Moyes era, fans have turned against him after United’s 7th placed finish and his woeful debut season. Although it may be worth giving him another chance this season, Van Gaal is reported to have instructed the board to get rid. Napoli are interested and United will settle on a loss if they can get £20M+ for him.
Darren Fletcher – £12-15M
A Manchester red through and through, Scotland’s captain is a candidate for the vacant United captaincy this season. Fletcher has captained the side twice in three pre-season games and his endless stamina is something Van Gaal has clearly taken too. After an awful three years personally, suffering from a terrible bowel condition, Fletcher seems to be nearing full fitness again and could prove to be a key member of United’s midfield options. At 29 years old, age and experience are on his side as well as being an academy graduate. Fletcher’s fitness worries would slightly diminish his value, but a bid of £15M would likely be accepted.
Michael Carrick – £10M
Carrick remains an integral part of Manchester United’s midfield, even with a new system at 33 years old. Michael, who will miss the start of the season through injury, has been touted as a possible candidate for the captaincy after Louis Van Gaal admitted losing Carrick for 10-12 weeks was “a big blow” to the side. Although his age is a factor, his passing range is among the best in the division as well as his ability to break up play in the center of the park. £10M for Carrick would prove a good deal for all parties if he was to leave Old Trafford.
Nani – £7M
Winger Nani is almost certain to leave Manchester this summer. The Portuguese international is famed for his inconsistency, although on his day he’s probably the best winger in the squad. After being continually linked with Juventus in the last three summers as well as missing out large chunks of the season through injury, Nani has failed to impress on tour this season. So much so, he was taken off against Inter Milan despite only being substituted on at half-time. A bid of £7M would be seen as great business by Manchester United.
Ashley Young – £12M
Ashley Young joined United for £16M four years ago. Young has suffered a torrid time at Old Trafford, never really winning over the fans. He’s showed some promise on this tour in new positions, working hard at wing-back and scoring twice during his 45 minutes up front. With no wingers in Van Gaal’s initial system, Young’s place may be in trouble. A bid of £12M for Young would probably be seen as good business, although his wages could see a lower fee get accepted to get him off the books.
Shinji Kagawa – £20M
Shinji Kagawa dazzled the Bundesliga for two years while at Borussia Dortmund, making Manchester United pay £17M for him. The Japanese playmaker however has never really settled into life in England. His movement and passing always make for good entertainment value, but his end product has somewhat stayed in Germany. He’s been tested in different positions during his time at the club, with Van Gaal most recently admitting he wanted to try him “as a No.6 or No.8” rather than his preferred No.10 spot. His future has been a talking point all summer and with him not being first choice in any position it makes him an expendable member of the squad. £20M would see a profit made and the player on his way after an underwhelming spell at Old Trafford.
Adnan Januzaj – £50M
A crazy price for a special talent. Adnan Januzaj is the future of Manchester United. Before Januzaj opted to sign a new five-year contract with the club last summer, PSG were reportedly interested in taking the Belgium international to Paris in a move worth £30M, which was flatly rejected by Manchester United. The future of the club is likely to be build around Januzaj so only a worldly amount would see Januzaj not wearing Manchester Red anytime soon.
Jesse Lingard – £7M-10M
Lingard was the stand out performer on tour last year under David Moyes, before he was inexplicably sent out on loan. Lingard impressed mightily while at Birmingham and Brighton, scoring in the play-off semi-final for Brighton. Lingard has come back to the club and been on the periphery while the club’s been on tour, but his talent is undeniable. In a climate where Ross McCormack can go between Championship clubs for £10M, United should expect something similar for Lingard.
Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Wilfried Zaha – £10M
Zaha is somewhat of an enigma at Manchester United. He shone on tour last year, before barely being used by Moyes. He then went on loan where he struggled to get games at relegated Cardiff under United legend Ole Gunnar Solksjaer. He’s played just 45 minutes on this tour with rumours abound once again about his apparent lack of interest and poor attitude, although he did impress during his run out vs Inter Milan. With Van Gaal stating he’d only be used in a striker position in this formation, Zaha’s time at the club could be coming to an end. Despite paying £15M for Zaha’s services 18 months ago, United would probably accept a bid in the region of £10M.
Juan Mata – £40M
Mata joined just 6 months ago in a move from rivals Chelsea for a club record fee of £37.5M. Despite largely being played out of position under David Moyes, Mata still managed 6 goals and 4 assists in 14 starts for the club. Mata is 25 years old and in the prime of his career. Already a World Cup and European Championship winner with Spain as well as a Champions League winner with Chelsea, Mata is a world class talent. United would look to make a profit on Mata so a £40M bid would likely be accepted.
STRIKERS:
Robin van Persie – £25M
Robin van Persie, hotly tipped to become the new United captain under Louis Van Gaal, is a star at Manchester United. After declaring that “the little boy inside him was screaming to join Manchester United” after sealing a £24M move from rivals Arsenal. He’s scored 48 goals in 76 games for the club and more than justified his large fee for a player nearing his 30’s at the time of the move. He’s expected to lead the line once again for Manchester United this summer and despite his unhappiness last season, he seems happy now. If United did decide to cash in however, they’d want their money back as a bare minimum for a player who has performed consistently well since joining two years ago.
Wayne Rooney – £40M
Wayne Rooney was close to joining Chelsea last summer and how lucky are we that he didn’t. He ended up being United’s star man in a dismal campaign, top scoring with 19 goals. Just 27 goals off the all-time record for Manchester United, Rooney signed a new five-year contract mid-season which boosted his value up. Chelsea were willing to pay £25M for Rooney who had two years left on his deal, so now with a new contract Rooney’s value has probably almost doubled.
Danny Welbeck – £20M
Welbeck is United through and through. Joined the club at 9 years old and has represented the club at every level. There are even videos of a child Danny getting finishing tips from a certain Ruud van Nistelrooy. Welbeck has been shunted out wide to accomodate van Persie and Rooney’s central roles, but whenever he’s performed up front he’s done well. He scored the first goal of the Louis Van Gaal era with a low drive from outside the box. This season is a big year for Welbeck, who could finally convince some United fans he has a big future at the club.
Javier Hernandez -£15M
Hernandez’s future at the club looks bleak. A fan favourite, Chicharito has never really been an automatic starter at the club during his four years here, but he’s always been reliable when called upon for a goal. 52 goals in 159 games for the club, Hernandez has an aura about him that lets you know he is willing to fight hard for his place at the club. However, at 26 years old he’s beginning to enter the peak years of his career. Being fourth choice at the club does no good for him and the club probably owe it to him to let him move on to pastures new. Atletico Madrid are strongly interested and a fee of £15M has been touted for the Mexican.
Credit: Twitter [@musamutosho]