Stuart Mathieson: Manchester United need to act fast to seal a deal for Spurs and Croatia playmaker
Luka Modric acknowledges the Croatia fans during Euro 2012 Sir Alex Ferguson is under pressure to splash the cash on Tottenhams man in demand Luka Modric, with Reds fans desperate to avoid a repeat of last summers tortuous transfer saga over Wesley Sneijder.
Modric enhanced his formidable reputation with a series of sparkling displays for Croatia at Euro 2012 and there have already been ominous noises that he is a key target for Real Madrid.
The 26-year-old playmaker has been on Fergies radar for 12 months and, although rated by Spurs at 35m, the fact is if United can drive that fee down they have two significant aces up their sleeve.
Spurs failure to secure Champions League football next season could be a key factor in the Reds favour.
And Modric would significantly improve his salary and become one of the highest earners at Old Trafford on more than 100,000 a week should he move north up the M1.
Although United have already strengthened their midfield this summer by signing Shinji Kagawa from Dortmund, unlike Modric, the Japanese star is not proven in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Paul Scholes at 37 cant be expected to produce his magic every week despite penning another years extension to his Old Trafford contract.
In a mirror image of Englands glaring failure at Euro 2012, Fergie wont need any reminding that midfield was Uniteds real Achilles heel last season as they were pipped to the title by City.
Sir Alex Fergusons side deserved all the credit they received for taking City to the final seconds of a breathtaking Premier League title race.
Their dogged qualities and never-say-die spirit saw them battle through an injury list that would have crippled the ambitions of many others.
But, ultimately, Old! Traffor d fans agreed almost to a man that they relinquished the crown because the Blues had a dominant and classy engine room.
Yes, Michael Carrick and the rejuvenated Scholes excelled at times, but as galling as it was to the red side of Manchester it was the panache and power of the likes of Yaya Toure, David Silva and Samir Nasri that swung it in Citys favour.
And when it came to Europe, Uniteds midfield was also found wanting.
Even in an easy Champions League group, they kept throwing away leads and didnt possess the guile or craft to save their European status from taking a huge dent as they were dumped out before the glamorous knockout stages. Even in the consolation Europa League, the Reds were ultimately sent packing after being outplayed by Athletic Bilbaos mini-Barca midfield of Javi Martinez and Iker Muniain. Scholes didnt feature in Europe apart from two sub appearances against Ajax. Considering his impact after coming out of retirement, the 37-year-old playmakers absence on the European stage was the stand-out reason for the Reds under-performing.
Reds critics and fans believed it was the price United paid for not splashing the cash on Dutch schemer Sneijder last summer. Now they are starting to get fidgety that it might be happening all over again and the consequences for the new season dont bare thinking about.
Scholes will be 38 in November, Tom Cleverley has yet to prove hes well and truly over his injury problems, Darren Fletchers future is still unknown after his enforced break from last December to fight a stomach illness and Anderson has a huge question mark over his Old Trafford future. Carrick, for some reason, always takes time to get motoring in a season and the Reds can ill afford that from such an experienced cool individual.
And though all the vibes are hugely positive about 23-year-old Kagawa, the fact is two years ago he was playing in Japans Second Division with Cerezo Osaka. And despite smoothly making the transiti! on to th e Bundesliga, the goal-scoring midfielder has already admitted he has much to prove at Old Trafford.
Its no co-incidence that the four semi-finalists at Euro 2012 are dominated by match winners and game changers in the engine room.
Stuart Mathieson: Manchester United will be the beneficiaries of Danny Welbecks Euro 2012 success
Manchester United ace Wayne Rooney not at his best at Euro 2012, says Roy Hodgson
For Spain, it is the obvious intelligent passing and probing of Barcelonas Xavi and Iniesta that drives the World Cup holders and reigning European champions.
Juventuss Andrea Pirlo fresh from torturing England continues to be the heart of everything Italy do. For Germany, Bayern Munichs Bastian Schweinsteiger mixes silk and steel, while Real Madrids Mesut Ozil supplies attacking finesse.
Even Portugal, who are riding predominantly on a Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired wave, have had Portos Joao Moutinho to thank as he beds into the playmaker role and provider for CR7.
The fact that the stand-out stars of Euro 2012 are overwhelmingly made up of midfielders is another clear message to Old Trafford that they cannot scrimp when it comes to revamping their engine room.
At 27 in September, Modric is reaching an age level whereby United would be reluctant to pay the probable 35m asking price from Spurs.
Both Real Madrid and Paris St Germain are sizing up the Croatian and that is a heavyweight financial opposition for the Reds to deal with. !
And Modric has also been urged to move across London and join newly-crowned European champions Chelsea by Branislav Ivanovic.
I think at Chelsea he would adapt instantly and become a better player.
He should come to Chelsea it wont go wrong! said the Serbian.
But after a trophyless season when the shortcomings of the midfield were roundly targeted as reason for absence of silverware, surely United have to be bold and spend big if they are to re-assert their dominance at home and abroad.
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Modric enhanced his formidable reputation with a series of sparkling displays for Croatia at Euro 2012 and there have already been ominous noises that he is a key target for Real Madrid.
The 26-year-old playmaker has been on Fergies radar for 12 months and, although rated by Spurs at 35m, the fact is if United can drive that fee down they have two significant aces up their sleeve.
Spurs failure to secure Champions League football next season could be a key factor in the Reds favour.
And Modric would significantly improve his salary and become one of the highest earners at Old Trafford on more than 100,000 a week should he move north up the M1.
Although United have already strengthened their midfield this summer by signing Shinji Kagawa from Dortmund, unlike Modric, the Japanese star is not proven in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Paul Scholes at 37 cant be expected to produce his magic every week despite penning another years extension to his Old Trafford contract.
In a mirror image of Englands glaring failure at Euro 2012, Fergie wont need any reminding that midfield was Uniteds real Achilles heel last season as they were pipped to the title by City.
Sir Alex Fergusons side deserved all the credit they received for taking City to the final seconds of a breathtaking Premier League title race.
Their dogged qualities and never-say-die spirit saw them battle through an injury list that would have crippled the ambitions of many others.
But, ultimately, Old! Traffor d fans agreed almost to a man that they relinquished the crown because the Blues had a dominant and classy engine room.
Yes, Michael Carrick and the rejuvenated Scholes excelled at times, but as galling as it was to the red side of Manchester it was the panache and power of the likes of Yaya Toure, David Silva and Samir Nasri that swung it in Citys favour.
And when it came to Europe, Uniteds midfield was also found wanting.
Even in an easy Champions League group, they kept throwing away leads and didnt possess the guile or craft to save their European status from taking a huge dent as they were dumped out before the glamorous knockout stages. Even in the consolation Europa League, the Reds were ultimately sent packing after being outplayed by Athletic Bilbaos mini-Barca midfield of Javi Martinez and Iker Muniain. Scholes didnt feature in Europe apart from two sub appearances against Ajax. Considering his impact after coming out of retirement, the 37-year-old playmakers absence on the European stage was the stand-out reason for the Reds under-performing.
Reds critics and fans believed it was the price United paid for not splashing the cash on Dutch schemer Sneijder last summer. Now they are starting to get fidgety that it might be happening all over again and the consequences for the new season dont bare thinking about.
Scholes will be 38 in November, Tom Cleverley has yet to prove hes well and truly over his injury problems, Darren Fletchers future is still unknown after his enforced break from last December to fight a stomach illness and Anderson has a huge question mark over his Old Trafford future. Carrick, for some reason, always takes time to get motoring in a season and the Reds can ill afford that from such an experienced cool individual.
And though all the vibes are hugely positive about 23-year-old Kagawa, the fact is two years ago he was playing in Japans Second Division with Cerezo Osaka. And despite smoothly making the transiti! on to th e Bundesliga, the goal-scoring midfielder has already admitted he has much to prove at Old Trafford.
Its no co-incidence that the four semi-finalists at Euro 2012 are dominated by match winners and game changers in the engine room.
Stuart Mathieson: Manchester United will be the beneficiaries of Danny Welbecks Euro 2012 success
Manchester United ace Wayne Rooney not at his best at Euro 2012, says Roy Hodgson
For Spain, it is the obvious intelligent passing and probing of Barcelonas Xavi and Iniesta that drives the World Cup holders and reigning European champions.
Juventuss Andrea Pirlo fresh from torturing England continues to be the heart of everything Italy do. For Germany, Bayern Munichs Bastian Schweinsteiger mixes silk and steel, while Real Madrids Mesut Ozil supplies attacking finesse.
Even Portugal, who are riding predominantly on a Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired wave, have had Portos Joao Moutinho to thank as he beds into the playmaker role and provider for CR7.
The fact that the stand-out stars of Euro 2012 are overwhelmingly made up of midfielders is another clear message to Old Trafford that they cannot scrimp when it comes to revamping their engine room.
At 27 in September, Modric is reaching an age level whereby United would be reluctant to pay the probable 35m asking price from Spurs.
Both Real Madrid and Paris St Germain are sizing up the Croatian and that is a heavyweight financial opposition for the Reds to deal with. !
And Modric has also been urged to move across London and join newly-crowned European champions Chelsea by Branislav Ivanovic.
I think at Chelsea he would adapt instantly and become a better player.
He should come to Chelsea it wont go wrong! said the Serbian.
But after a trophyless season when the shortcomings of the midfield were roundly targeted as reason for absence of silverware, surely United have to be bold and spend big if they are to re-assert their dominance at home and abroad.
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