According to The Sun, Sheffield United want Marcos Rojo on loan in January. The defender, who hasn’t seen even a minute of action from the start of this season, was widely expected to leave Manchester United. However, no move materialised. Chris Wilder, though, has been on the lookout for defenders.
The 30-year-old Argentine started his youth career at Estudiantes in 2000. He spent the next couple of years in the youth teams and reserve team. In 2009, he was promoted to the first-team. He went on to make 53 appearances for the Argentine side before departing for Spartak Moscow.
While he did spend one and half seasons there, he played only 17 games during the time. Sporting CP signed him in 2012 and he went on to feature quite often for them. He was slowly getting noticed by Europe’s elite. It was after the 2014 FIFA World Cup that he was in demand and Manchester United went for him.
While he may have fallen down the pecking order in recent times, he was once quite a useful member of the side when Louis Van Gaal was in charge. However, injury issues coupled with bad form have resulted in only 122 games so far. He has two goals and four assists for them as well (source – Transfermarkt).
The £80,000-a-week defender is a veteran for the national team with 61 games and 3 goals to date. He was a part of the team that went all the way to the finals of the 2014 World Cup.
Marcos Rojo may have his shortcomings as a player but there is no doubting his commitment. He is a passionate player and gives his all on the field. He is also very versatile and can play as a left-back when required.
While Sheffield do have a good stock of defenders for the said positions, Rojo comes with bags of experience. He has won an FA Cup, a league cup and a Europa League as well. He would fit well with Sheffield’s odd strategy of centre-backs pushing forward to attack, given his offensive nature.
Rojo may not be a world-class defender but he is one that Chris Wilder can use. The season is already very tight and any injury could hamper the campaign. Signing Rojo would add to the depth and experience of the side.