Manchester United are reportedly plotting a sensational bid for Tottenham Hotspur left-back Danny Rose. In fact, they are eyeing both their full-backs this January in a 60-million-pound deal. Now, we all know Manchester United are an ambitious lot, but to think one of their fierce competitors would hand them their best players mid-season, is pushing it too far.
Of course, Jose Mourinho’s condition could be totally understood. United’s left-backs haven’t been on the same level with the rest of the team. While Daley Blind has totally messed up his chances as the right-back and Luke Shaw still finding it hard to get match fit, Antonio Valencia has been tremendously inconsistent in the right-back role. Matteo Darmian has shown signs of positivity, though, but he is often forced to play on the left flank due to lack of options.
And the fact that Mourinho has tabled a bid for arguably the best left-back in the Premier League, speaks volumes of his confidence in Manchester United’s financial prowess. While Kyle Walker might just fall short a bit in the hierarchy of the league’s best right-back to Hector Bellerin, he is still one of the best in that position.
United have also apparently asked about the availability of Victor Lindelof and Kostas Manolas from Benfica and AS Roma respectively. Mourinho is desperate to add more solidity to the back as the Red Devils enter a hectic schedule of fixtures, which include the FA Cup and UEFA Europa League along with the domestic league matches.
A Leeds United academy product, Danny Rose has owned the position of the left-back in Tottenham for four seasons now and even at the national level, the likes of Kieran Gibbs, Luke Shaw and Leighton Baines have fallen down the pecking order with his emergence to prominence. In his 15 appearances for Spurs so far, he has scored twice and assisted the same.
However, it is not his goal scoring abilities that make him such an important player in the squad, but the change of pace he brings with him on the counter. A fiercely combative defender, Rose’s work rate is phenomenal and so is his pace both on and off the ball. His ability to dribble past opponents is a treat to watch and his pairing with Walker makes Tottenham a formidable counter-attacking in the Premier League.
Manchester United are also willing to bring in former defender Patrice Evra in a coaching role this January as they continue to close the gap with league leaders, Chelsea. And adding Danny Rose will more than just help their cause.
