Leandro Cabrera signs for United? – Kind of.
It can get a little quiet in the summer transfer window sometimes, and deadline day feels like a long, long way away so confirmed deals are few and far between.
Manchester United and the majority of Premier League clubs are still pondering over who they want to bring in. Luckily, even in these quiet periods, we have video games to keep as entertained – and we also get to see a sort of ‘simulated’ transfer window. These can see a range of wacky transfers, from Gary Cahill signing for Sevilla to Xavi opting to finish his career at Doncaster Rovers.
So, I created an account on browser-based football management simulator Soccer Manager 2015 (it’s not ‘Football Manager’, that’s a different game before you say anything) and kept an eye out for the transfers made by Manchester United in the window while I went about trying to take my beloved Charlton Athletic to the Premier League. Safe to say, in this alternate reality, Louis van Gaal has made some very different transfers. No Hummels, Cavani or anything like that. But De Gea stayed, if that makes up for it?
IN: LEANDRO CABRERA, 23, Defender, Real Zaragoza (£2.2 million)
Cabrera hails from Uruguay but has spent most of his fledgling career in Spain. He has had loan spells at Recreativo, Numancia and Herucles while playing for Atletico Madrid. In 2013, he made the switch to rivals Real Madrid and spent a year on the Real Madrid B team before moving to current club Real Zaragoza last season.
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A Europa League winner with Atletico Madrid, Cabrera can play left-back but is primarily used as a central defender. His 6ft 2″ height also helps him in this central role. However, it cannot be said he is anything special and is unlikely to ever play in the Premier League having had a few average seasons in Spain already.
His time at Soccer Manager Manchester United has been fairly successful, but nothing to shout about. He’s usually rotated with Luke Shaw on the flanks, but has been unable to dislodge Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo in the centre. The other side is firmly occupied by Rafael, who in the game has out of nowhere become Roberto Carlos-esque and cannot stop scoring. Again, very different to real life.
IN: BILLY McKAY, 26, Striker, Wigan (£2.8 million)
This was a complete curveball, with Louis van Gaal aiming to solve Manchester United’s striker problems by signing Wigan Athletic’s Billy McKay. Not an obvious choice, but clearly alternate-universe Louis van Gaal saw something in him and thought he was good enough. I’ve completed the first season and when I looked at McKay’s stats, he hadn’t played yet. Maybe it’s his time next season?
McKay holds 9 Northern Ireland caps, but is yet to score for his country. He hasn’t yet netted for Wigan either but scored 62 goals in all competitions for Inverness and was their top scorer before he moved to Wigan in January. The Premier League feels like a long way off for the Irishman. But who knows, he could have a big season ahead of him that changes all that.
OUT: TYLER BLACKETT, 21, Defender to West Ham United (£1.5 million)
Sensing that he did not have a future at the club, Blackett signed for West Ham United as has been a permanent fixture in the Hammers defence so far on the game. This kind of deal is pretty likely, Blackett might go out on loan for real this year with questions over his long-term future at Manchester United. But he could also sign permanently for somebody if the opportunity arises. One to keep tabs on.
OUT: TOM THORPE, 22, Defender to Leicester City (£769k)
Another academy graduate who would not break into the first team, Thorpe wanted to remain in the Premier League and so signed for Leicester City. Thorpe has not had too much first team action yet, but has played in a few cup fixtures. But that’s been it so far for the youngster.
Almost accurate, for in real life he was released by the club rather than actually signing for another on a transfer. Thorpe was let go, along with goalkeeper Ben Amos and a number of others this month as the Premier League clubs completed their Retained and Released lists.
It is more likely that Thorpe will head to the Championship before attempting the Premier League again. He had a short stay at Birmingham City last season, and could possibly go back there now he is a free agent.