Players have shuffled back and forth so often between Manchester United and Real Madrid that it seems the two clubs are inextricably linked.
David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Michael Owen, Angel di Maria, and Javier Hernandez are just some of the names who have played for both teams over the years. And while United keeper David De Gea looks set to add his name to the list this summer, it remains to be seen which Los Blancos player will make a move to Old Trafford in return.
Reports have cited both Luka Modric and Sergio Ramos as possible targets for Louis van Gaal in the De Gea deal. The question is, which player is the best bang for van Gaal’s buck?
Having already played in the Premier League with much success at Tottenham, Modric seems like the obvious choice. He was a playmaker in his four years at White Hart Lane, averaging 4.25 goals a season. Since joining Real Madrid in 2012, however, he’s totaled just seven goals in 129 appearances for the club.
When he is healthy, the midfielder can easily dribble through opposition like they’re cones in a training drill. However, the Croatian was riddled with hamstring and tendon injuries throughout the majority of Real Madrid’s La Liga campaign this season, and sat out for most of the Champions League and the entirety of the Copa Del Rey.
Do Manchester United really want to spend on a player who was already in a decline of form, and then fell even further due to injury?
Ramos, on the other hand, has proven nothing if not consistent. Since arriving at the Bernabeu in 2005, the centre-back has netted 55 goals in 445 caps (5.5 goals a season), a better production rate than Modric had even in his peak years for the Lilywhites.
And he’s showing no signs of slowing down. The Spanish international’s goal totals have steadily increased over the past few seasons. He scored seven across all competitions in 2014/15, a career-best 506 minutes per goal while featuring 42 times for Real Madrid.
While Ramos’ demands of £200,000 a week would make him the highest-paid defender in the Premier League, his experience makes him well worth the price. The 29-year-old’s aerial dominance and aggression have made him the anchor for Madrid’s defence. Van Gaal is looking to add goal-scoring ability to his squad as well as reinforce his young back line, and securing Ramos would let him kill two birds with one stone.
After a year full of injuries and lackluster attacking, Manchester United desperately need a player in good health who can both contribute goals and provide stability to the back line, especially with the loss of their number one goalkeeper. If that comes at a steep price, so be it. Sometimes you need to give a little to get a little.
And with Ramos, United will be getting a lot.
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