Manchester United should not hesitate to splash the cash to sign Jordi Alba
According to The Sun, Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba has emerged as a transfer target for Manchester United. The Spanish international has two years left on his current contract but Barcelona haven’t given him the new contract that he was promised a couple of years back (h/t The Sun).
The 29-year-old moved to Camp Nou from Valencia in 2012 and has made a total of 257 appearances for the Spanish giants across all competitions, finding the back of the net on 13 occasions.
He has put in excellent performances at both club and international level and has won four La Liga titles, four Copa del Reys and the UEFA Champions League with Barcelona. Alba was also a part of the Spanish team that won the UEFA European Championship back in 2012 and scored a goal in the final against Italy.
Manchester United have made a lacklustre start to their Premier League campaign and the Red Devils are currently placed 8th in the standings with 13 points from eight games. Jose Mourinho’s side finds themselves seven points behind leaders Manchester City and they must do a lot to pose a serious challenge for the title.
United have shipped as many as 14 goals so far and have the worst defensive record amongst the top teams in the Premier League. To be honest, United have struggled at the back due to the poor displays of Eric Bailly, Victor Lindelof and Phil Jones. Much of United’s woes this season have been down to their porous and vulnerable backline. The Red Devils have looked susceptible to attacks even against the least threatening of oppositions.
While United have been let down by some inappropriate decision-making, horrible marking and poor composure at the back, Luke Shaw and Chris Smalling have emerged as the saviours on countless occasions.
Shaw has rejuvenated his United career that was marred by injuries and the 23-year-old has re-established himself as one of the best left-backs in the Premier League with some top-notch performances this season.
While Shaw has been a standout figure at the back, Ashley Young hasn’t been consistent. The veteran was turned way too easily by the Newcastle attackers and hasn’t pressurized the attackers to keep them at bay.
United need cover for Shaw given that he hasn’t had the best of luck with injuries in the recent past. Furthermore, Young is already 33 and he might be playing his last season at Old Trafford.
Jordi Alba should be an ideal choice for Jose Mourinho as he is one of the most balanced full-backs in the world and has the ability to contribute equally to both the attack and the defence.
A quick, agile and technically gifted left-back, Alba is a good reader of the game and times his tackles to perfection. He combines his low centre of gravity with his technical abilities, pace and dribbling skills to bomb forward with pace and can wreak havoc in the opposition’s half.
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He is blessed with excellent positional sense and does not leave much space for the attackers to exploit. Alba is an aggressive-minded full-back and often makes the first move in crucial situations, emerging as the winner on most occasions.
That said, United should consider making a bid for him in January. The Red Devils might need to break the bank to prise him away from the La Liga but he will be worth every penny.
