Aston Villa man is a perfect fit for Old Trafford outfit.
A cursory glance at the Premier League top goalscorer charts will tell you all you need to know about Manchester United’s need to invest in a proven finisher this summer.
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Man United’s leading marksman this term, Wayne Rooney, has netted just a dozen top tier strikes. That’s less than half the tally reached by Sergio Aguero whilst relegated QPR’s Charlie Austin’s total of 17 goals goes some way to showing Louis van Gaal’s short-comings in the final third.
Loaned in forward Radamel Falcao hasn’t shown the deadly form he’s established at previous clubs and veteran Robin Van Persie has struggled with form and fitness.
Rooney’s been used in a midfield role but when called upon to fill in at centre-forward, the England man on the whole has been found wanting.
The Daily Mirror have linked the Old Trafford side with an interest in Aston Villa powerhouse Christian Benteke. He may be the ideal fit for Louis van Gaal’s side.
At 24 years of age, the Belgian is old enough to have a good grounding of Premier League experience and young enough to suggest that a long successful career lies ahead.
Benteke had a superb debut season at Villa Park, netting 23 goals in all competitions, but his second campaign proved less effective and his third appeared to be heading in the same direction.
Then Tim Sherwood was appointed Aston Villa boss.
Since the arrival of Sherwood the rough and tumble forward hasn’t looked back, 11 goals in his last 10 appearances have helped steer Aston Villa away from the Premier League relegation zone and led to an FA Cup final berth.
The Daily Mirror claim a bid of £32m would land Benteke and in today’s transfer market that appears a very fair price.
Benteke’s no-nonsense approach not only lends itself perfectly to life in the Premier League but it also fits Louis van Gaal’s style of play. The Dutch coach has used Marouane Fellaini’s aerial threat as a strength and source of goals for his team this season, and Fellaini’s compatriot Benteke could be a fine addition to the attack.
The uncompromising Aston Villa star would surely be tempted by a move to Manchester United given the expected chance to play UEFA Champions League football, and such a deal could hand van Gaal a prolific spearhead to lead his attack in 2015/16 and beyond.