The Portuguese fullback could be available for £12m…
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Portuguese left-back Fabio Coentrao could sign from Real Madrid for Manchester United this winter for a £12m fee, reports the Mirror.
The 25-year-old has only been given four starts in La Liga all season under Carlo Ancelotti, and the player apparently wants to move to secure his place in Portugal’s World Cup side next summer.
Following yet another home defeat at the weekend, Manchester United fans are crying out for reinforcements, and would likely be content with the player who cost Madrid £25m two and a half years ago as a start…
Coentrao’s strengths, weaknesses and position…
Coentrao is a marauding left-back with a strong engine. Like most modern fullbacks, he can get up and down the flank for an entire 90 minutes, although he is occasionally guilty of neglecting his defensive duties.
When he has the ball at his feet, he likes to knock it past an opposing player, before regathering it and dribbling down the line. This can mean he gives the ball away sometimes, but it also can be the catalyst for a promising team attack.
Coentrao is composed and comfortable in possession, and will always look to play the ball into a midfielder’s feet rather than pump it long up the line.
As a result of his impressive technical ability, he has been deployed as an anchoring midfielder in Madrid too, although predominantly under former boss Jose Mourinho.
What could he bring to the United squad?
This versatility could be a reason United are interested in him…
United need to strengthen both left-back and central midfield positions, so in this respect, Coentrao could fill both voids.
Patrice Evra isn’t getting any younger in defence, while Alex Buttner is probably not Manchester United quality, and young Brazilian Fabio is inconsistent and red-card prone.
Long term, United need a more natural central midfielder, but until the summer, Coentrao could certainly do a job. His fitness and simple passing would suit the United midfield, and he could be used in place of Michael Carrick should the first-choice deep lying playmaker be unavailable.
Here’s where Coentrao could fit in to a fully fit United lineup…
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