Seamus Coleman is reportedly a transfer target for Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal, according to Mail Sport.
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With United’s search for a new right-back proving unsuccessful so far-former target Nathaniel Clyne appears to be on the verge on joining Liverpool [via Mirror Sport]-it appears a move for the Everton full-back in now on the cards.
South American pair Rafael and Antonio Valencia battled it out to be the club’s first choice right-back last season, but in truth, United have struggled in that position since Gary Neville retired.
Is Coleman the answer to their problems? Is he better that Valencia?
Going by last season’s stats [via Who Scored] 18 of Valencia’s 32 league appearances came as a right-back, showing that it’s a position he’s becoming accustomed to, while Coleman is a regular in that position at Goodison Park, but can also play further forward as a winger which he did on a few occasions during the campaign [via Who Scored].
The Ecuadorian’s passing success (89.5%) is better than that of the Republic of Ireland international’s (84.5%) and with a team like United who prefer a to get the ball down and play, Valencia comes out on top in that battle.
Valencia is also stronger in the air has he won (0.8) of his aerial duels compared to (0.6) for Coleman.
However the one area in which the Toffees man is superior is going forward as he scored three league goals and registered two assists, while Valencia managed zero and two respectively.
It’s clear from an attacking sense that Coleman would be the better option for van Gaal, but there is the argument that he could be found wanting in defensive situations, which for a club like United would not go down too well with their supporters.