Three reasons why United should sign Rodriguez

Sport360 staff 16:06 26/03/2017
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  • In recent weeks, he may have started to look like he has more of a future at the club under Zinedine Zidane – but in the long run – will Rodriguez ever be a Real Madrid regular?

    Time will tell but after admitting last December that he was mulling over an end of season exit, several clubs, including Manchester United, are poised to pounce.

    £60m is a bit steep (Monaco paid more than that back in 2014) but his stock has gone down since the heights of his World Cup heroics.

    Here, we weigh up three reasons why the Red Devils could turn to the Colombian come the summer…

    HE HAS A POINT TO PROVE

    After a terrific first season at the Bernabeu in 2014-15, which yielded 17 goals from 46 appearances in all competitions, the 25-year-old has struggled for first-team action.

    He has become a bit-part player at Los Blancos at a time where we should really be seeing the best of him on a consistent basis.

    It’s clear he has the appetite to play more and a move should really ignite the fire in his belly.

    Rodriguez has years ahead of him and there’s no doubting his talent. His technical ability and vision would come in handy in the Premier League and certainly give United another option to unlock defences in bigger matches next term, especially if Jose Mourinho’s men qualify for the Champions League.

    United should see it as a long-term investment, with Rodriguez having the skill to produce in the short-term too.

    RODRIGUEZ CAN REPLACE WAYNE ROONEY

    With Wayne Rooney’s game-time becoming very limited under Mourinho and reports suggesting the club’s record goalscorer will leave in the summer, Rodriguez would more than fill any void left by him.

    The attacker, who rose to prominence during the 2014 World Cup, wants to operate more behind the striker and would also offer competition in wide areas currently occupied by Juan Mata, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford.

    And with question marks too about the future of Zlatan Ibrahimovic beyond this season, could Rodriguez be a younger replacement if the Super Swede decides to move stateside?

    GOALS FROM MIDFIELD

    It’s no secret that United have relied heavily on Ibrahimovic for their goals this season. They need other players to chip in, particularly from midfield.

    Juan Mata boasts an impressive goal-scoring ratio but isn’t a regular in the side while Paul Pogba has been erratic in front of goal.

    The Colombian could ease the burden for Ibrahimovic along with a fully fit Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

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