About this previous post: The one where we were trying to draw parallels between Manchester United’s deadline activity and Arsenal’s of years’ past? Given a couple of late acquisitions -- moves made just before today’s 6:00 p.m. Eastern deadline -- that comparison may be a little harsh. After all, in bringing in a couple of international-quality players, the Red Devils have certainly improved their squad, even if the day featured one prominent miss.
But let’s put Ander Herrera in the past for now. Because now is about Marouane Fellaini, who finally moves from Everton for $42 million. Now is about Fabio Coentrao, who will (or, may) take up residence in Manchester on a one-year loan from Real Madrid. Together, they represent the two significant additions Red Devils supporters thought they were getting with Herrera and Fellaini, and if the embarrassment of the Herrera situation can be put aside, Red Devil supporters may see their team as similarly improved.
Every Premier League fan knows Fellaini, the tall, afro-wielding Belgian impossible to ignore in the middle of the park. Capable of playing anywhere from defensive midfield (his preferred position) to supporting striker (arguably, his most effective spot under David Moyes at Everton), Fellaini is one of the more versatile players in the league. He’s also the type of guy that can prove a great equalizer in Champions League, where his physicality, ability on set pieces can cover for a lot of evils. Roaming the area between Manchester United’s overpowering attack and the team’s regista, Michael Carrick, Fellaini is the perfect fit for the Red Devils, even if it’s been some time (ever?) since the club had a player like him.
In Coentrao, David Moyes gets another highly versatile player, one that can play either fullback spot as well as in central midfield. With injuries at right back, the Portuguese international should see time immediately, and whether it be spelling left back Patrice Evra, complementing Carrick, or filling in for anybody else in midfield, Coentrao should prove a valuable piece, if not (eventually) an outright starter.
Yet as we write, news is coming of another potentially embarrassing situation for United, with one source in Spain (relied in English by another source in Spain) affirming speculation United failed to get Coentrao’s paper world in before Monday’s 6:00 p.m. Eastern deadline:
my colleague @Manu_Sainz says that Coentrao will STAY at Real Madrid. And if he says it, it is true then
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) September 2, 2013
According the The Guardian’s latest reporting, Manchester United sent in preliminary paperwork in time and had until 7:00 p.m. Eastern to get Coentrao’s details worked out.
If Coentrao’s move goes through, it’s a successful day for United, even if they missed out on Herrera; even if they missed out on Leighton Baines. If, however, Coentrao’s situation gets added to the Herrera debacle, this goes down as one of the more embarrassing Deadline Days in recent memory, with foibles costing a prestigious club two potentially valuable pieces.
If that happens, expect Red Devil mistakes to overshadow Fellaini’s acquisition when we think back on this summer window.