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Everton play newly promoted side Leicester City today as the English Premier League kicks off on match day 1. With the transfer window still open for another week, Roberto Martinez should take the time to consider a few additional reinforcements to ensure his squad has enough depth to battle domestically as well as in Europe.

This dream starting XI is made up of Everton players with an added twist, taking into account the possibility of any last minute signings that can step in and aid the Toffees in their opening day match up.

So, here is the DREAM STARTING XI for Everton when they face Leicester.

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CLICK ON ROBERTO MARTINEZ TO SEE THE FULL LIST

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Goalkeeper

Name: Tim Howard

Age: 35

Nationality: USA

Last season Tim Howard was part of a very strong Everton side that was on the verge of Champions League football, but lost out to Arsenal to finish in 5th place.

He became one of the most talked about goalkeepers at the World Cup against Belgium after making 16 saves in one match, a tournament record. If he can bring back his summer form, Roberto Martinez will be in very good hands.

Right Back

Name: Seamus Coleman

Age: 25

Nationality: Ireland

Seamus Coleman was a top performer in the league last season with six goals as well as two assist, capping off an impressive campaign. With Ireland not taking part in the World Cup, he will return fully rested and ready to replicate his previous form.

He was the only Everton player to be named in the 2014 Premier League Team of the Year and will now need to aid his team domestically as well as in Europe.

Right Centre Back

Name: John Stones

Age: 20

Nationality: England

John Stones recently extended his contract at the club after impressive last season in place of Phil Jagielka, who was hit with a long-term injury. Although he is very young, he was able to keep up to the pace of the Premier League by aiding Everton with their great defending.

He made 21 league appearances and looks very likely to be given a bigger role in place of regular centre back Sylvain Distin, who played 33 matches last time around.

Left Centre Back

Name: Phil Jagielka

Age: 31

Nationality: England

Although Phil Jagielka missed have the season for Everton, the times he had a chance to play, he did very well, earning him a place in Roy Hodgson’s England squad. At the World Cup, he was the first choice centre-back even though the Three Lions didn’t do too well.

At 31, he will need to continue to impress in order to hopefully get another national call up ahead of the Euro 2016.

Left Back

Name: Leighton Baines

Age: 29

Nationality: England

Leighton Baines was considered another top performer for Everton the last season and was linked with a big money move to Manchester United over the start of the summer.

He was given the hard task of replacing Ashley Cole at left back for the English national team, but found it hard to reproduce his club form on the world stage. However, it is very likely that Baines will be a season regular with his five goals and four assist in the previous campaign.

Right Defensive Midfield

Name: Muhamed Besic

Age: 21

Nationality: Bosnia-Herzegovina

New signing Muhamed Besic may be quite young, but he has bags of potential to fill the defensive midfield role and add some extra pace and stability into the middle of the park.

His team mate, Gareth Barry, who is a guaranteed starter, can offer him so much experience as the pair prepares to work alongside one another throughout the upcoming season.

Left Defensive Midfield

Name: Gareth Barry

Age: 33

Nationality: England

Having been on loan at Everton last season, Gareth Barry has now made his move permanent as he is seen as a first team regular at the club. With enough time to adapt to the style of football under Roberto Martinez, it’s time for him to return back to his best as the holding midfielder.

Playing alongside Besic, he may lack the speed and pace he once had, but he can certainly make up for that with his composure and ability to dictate play. The Toffees bought him for this reason so there’s no way they are going to start without him.

Right Wing

Name: Kevin Mirallas

Age: 26

Nationality: Belgium

Kevin Mirallas is Everton’s best choice right winger with eight goals from 32 matches last season and also played well for Belgium at the World Cup.

With Romelu Lukaku leading the front lines, any types of cross going into the box are sure to be met by his fellow countryman. He was a season regular in the previous campaign and is highly likely to retain his place under Roberto Martinez.

Attacking Midfield

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Name: Ross Barkley

Age: 20

Nationality: England

The England starlet had a breakthrough first season for Everton the previous year, managing six goals with some sensational solo efforts. His speed and pace cannot be overlooked as he plans to have an even bigger impact in the upcoming season.

Despite his age, it is highly likely that Roberto Martinez will hand Ross Barkley a regular team role as he is sure to cause problems for any of the defenders going head on against him.

Left Wing

Name: Danny Welbeck

Age: 23

Nationality: England

This is where the twist comes in because with Danny Welbeck a possibility after being told he will have very limited playing time at Manchester United, Roberto Martinez should snap him up to play on the left wing.

Being a so-called dream team, having Welbeck down the left flank will not only add huge pace into the squad, but also another attacking outlet with the England international able to create goals as well as score his own.

Striker

Name: Romelu Lukaku

Age: 21

Nationality: Belgium

Record signing Romelu Lukaku doesn’t need any time to adapt as he recently had a loan spell with the club last season. With the move made permanent, he is sure to add to his 15 goals in 31 appearances in the previous campaign.

Already a proven goal-scorer at Goodison, it is very likely that Lukaku will look to score even more this time around. With the big Belgium man up front, they have a very strong chance to battle it out in Europe as well.

Ian Wright will forever be an Arsenal legend after netting 128 goals in 221 league games for the Gunners, helping them win a Premier League crown, two FA Cups, one League Cup and a UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup.

In a short film for Premier League sponsors Barclays, former Arsenal and Crystal Palace legend Ian Wright has spoken about how his passion for the game drove him to become a Premier League icon.

Wright cites his relationship with his older brother Morris, his time at Turnham Primary School in South London and his unsuccessful trials as a young footballer as reasons that made him even more determined to succeed in the game when he was growing up. After turning professional with Crystal Palace at 21 and then moving onto Arsenal, Wright reveals how he was driven by the fans and how football brought out the passion that he always had as a young man.

Arsenal’s most famous number 8 said “I think if I had to pin down what really got me going and motivated and my ethic to work hard, I have to say I owe it to Morris. Because he was being a big brother, he inadvertently turned me into a Premier League Footballer”.

Wright also spoke about his special relationship with the fans, “It’s all been driven for me by the fans. I wanted to be a hero for them, I wanted to be the person on the pitch that when we were losing they want someone to answer the call, they want someone to score a goal so they can have that euphoric outpouring of emotion, and I always wanted to do it”.

The short film marks the start of Barclays ‘Spirit of the Game Heroes’ campaign, which showcases individuals who make the Barclays Premier League what it is. Barclays asked every Premier League club to nominate one person – whether it be a club legend, community hero or a committed fan – who best represented the passion behind their club. Each of these nominees will be celebrated in their club’s matchday programme and on its perimeter boards during October.

Throughout the rest of the 2014/15 season Barclays will continue to highlight those people, both young and old, who champion the true spirit of the game and will be rewarding fans who join the conversation via the Barclays Football Facebook Page or Barclays Footy Twitter Page with exclusive ticket and merchandise giveaways.

Watch the full video of Wrighty HERE

During the 2014-15 season, Barclays will be saying Thank you to all those people who champion the true spirit of the game. Join the conversation at: www.facebook.com/

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Roy Keane’s a scary guy. He has a reputation of being one of football’s hardest men, and he doesn’t take rubbish from anyone.

And we’ve been able to get more of an insight into what goes on inside his head and the reasons behind some of the biggest moments of his career in his new autobiography.

His most controversial moment is perhaps the time he ended Alf-Inge Haaland’s career with a nasty tackle during a Manchester derby at Old Trafford, which was revenge for the way Haaland accused Keane of faking injury when the Irishman tore ligaments in a game v. Leeds in 1997.

Keane wrote in his book: “There was no premeditation. I’d played against Haaland three or four times between the game against Leeds, in 1997, when I injured my cruciate and the game when I tackled him, in 2001, when he was playing for Manchester City. If I’d been this madman out for revenge, why would I have waited years for an opportunity to injure him?

“Was I going around for years thinking: ’I’m going to get him, I’m going to get him.’? No. Was he at the back of my mind? Of course he was. Like Rob Lee was, like David Batty was, like Alan Shearer was, like Patrick Vieira was. All these players were in the back of my mind: ’If I get a chance I’m going to fucking hit you, of course I am.’

“Haaland finished the game and played four days later, for Norway. A couple of years later he tried to claim that he’d had to retire because of the tackle. He was going to sue me. It was a bad tackle but he was still able to play four days later.”

Haaland had his right to reply and, in brilliant fashion, tweeted the following, which he later deleted…

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The Arsenal situation has been interesting this term. Despite his long and illustrious spell in north London, Arsene Wenger’s tenure is once again the subject of debate, with transfer failings a recurring argument when it comes to shipping the Frenchman out.

That makes this January an intriguing one, with Arsenal clearly lacking in a number of areas. Numerous targets are thought to be available for the right price, but big decisions will have to be made in north London… and here are FIVE we think are pressing…

To spend or not to spend

This may seem like a silly question when Wenger is involved, but the Frenchman may be forced into opening the chequebook more often that he would ordinarily opt to. The Gunners have endured a tricky start to the season, but a few wise additions in key areas could help them get over the line (the top four, as always) comfortably, with their rivals all stuttering.

Rumours suggest Wenger has £20m, plus revenue from sales, to spend, and although this is not a vast amount, it could be enough to get a couple of decent squad players to the Emirates Stadium, or one classy performer.

Which centre-back to chase

Winston Reid, Virgil van Dijk, Fabian Schar… this trio seem to be the main targets for Wenger, who is believed to be chasing a centre-back above all other options. The Gunners have relied heavily on Calum Chambers and Nacho Monreal to play out of position at the heart of the defence, which has contributed to a number of goals, following the sale of Thomas Vermaelen.

It’s clear that an orthodox enforcer is needed, but the Londoners will have to make a concrete decision on whom they want.

The midfield dilemma

While centre-back problems are pressing, Arsenal also have issues in the middle of midfield. Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere are currently out of action through injury, which has left Wenger reliant on a small pool of stars. A short-term loan option – Kim Kallstrom, anyone? – may be wise, but the Gunners boss may opt to use Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in a central role for some games.

Back Arsene or not…

This one is a little contentious, but worth discussing… should Arsenal back Wenger or hold funds in case the Frenchman is replaced? The Gunners chief’s future is far from clear, and calls from the stands for him to step down at the end of the season may sway the veteran boss’ stance over the coming months.

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Giving money to him to spend if he’s likely to no longer be around in six months’ time makes little sense, so that’s something Emirates Stadium chiefs may take into account.

Commit to Europe or the league

While qualifying for the top four is always the aim, a kind draw against Monaco presents Arsenal with a good chance of going far in the Champions League. Once into the last eight, pretty much anything is possible, and underdog sides have frequently gone far.

Signing non-cup tied players may make sense should Arsenal look to target continental glory, with a host of targets having already featured in UEFA competition this term…

“He is a very good player, the Manchester United fans have a fantastic player,

“He could play in any team, anything could happen. One hundred percent, he will be at one of the best teams in the world, if it’s United or not. But time is needed, we’ll see what happens.”

Well, the words of ‘super agent’ Jorge Mendes, as quoted by the Daily Mail, in regard to his client and life at Manchester United beyond this season are puzzling. The Colombian is currently on loan from Monaco, but clauses are in place to allow the Red Devils to make the deal a permanent one for a fee of £43.5m. Over the past few weeks there have been suggestions both ways regarding Falcao’s likelihood of staying, but with the sums involved, we think United could be better off with other targets… and here are FIVE alternative ways Louis van Gaal could spent the fee needed to keep the 28-year-old.

Thomas Muller

Available for £45m, a little above Falcao’s value, Muller is a player believed to be on LVG’s radar. The versatile German attacker helped his nation to World Cup victory over the summer and is a player that Van Gaal’s is known to be an admirer of.

In terms of stats, there is only one winner between Muller and Falcao, with the Bayern Munich man better in front of goal and more creative. Although £1.5m extra may be needed, the gap could easily be bridged by the difference in wage, with the 25-year-old unlikely to command a salary in the region of the Colombian.

Morgan Schneiderlin & Nathaniel Clyne

According to reports from The Telegraph and The Mirror, both Schneiderlin and Clyne are targets for United. Deals this month may be tricky, but the pair, who will cost around £45m combined – £25m for the Frenchman and the English right-back at £20m – and would address two problem areas.

Van Gaal has tracked a number of holding midfielders and right-backs since taking charge of the Red Devils, and it’s fair to say that both positions are in greater need of strengthening than the Dutchman’s forward line.

Mats Hummels

Widely hailed as the very best centre-back around, Hummels is a long-term United target. Dortmund are, naturally, opposed to selling their man, but offers of around £45m may be too good to refuse for the Bundesliga strugglers.

There’s little doubting that the World Cup winner would be an upgrade on the likes of Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans, with his experience and sheer quality placing him firmly a few leagues above the United trio. An end of season move is seen as the most likely scenario, with BVB desperate to keep their man this month to battle the shock threat of relegation.

Marco Reus & Ilkay Gundogan

Another way to splash the cash could be on a couple of other Dortmund players. Marco Reus’ well-publicised £20m release clause kicks in at the end of the season, while Gundogan is understood to be available for around £15m – with Arsenal interested.

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Rues would be a more versatile and youthful upgrade on Falcao, while Gundogan could help to inject new life into United’s midfield, which has been the subject of much criticism this season.

Kevin Strootman

Strootman of Roma is another long-term United target, with Louis van Gaal having been linked with Dutchman on an almost weekly basis since the summer. The Italian giants are reluctant to sell, especially this month, but bids of around £32m at the end of the season may be too good to refuse for a player that missed much of 2014 with a serious knee injury.

Van Gaal worked with Strootman in the Netherlands set-up before taking the United role, and his knowledge of the enforcer’s abilities could make for a smooth transition.

Karim Benzema, current Real Madrid and France front-man, pretty much unanimously goes down as one of the best strikers in European football at the moment. From his early days with Lyon to his current success at the Bernabeu, the powerful No.9 has proved to be a fantastic asset for his respective managers – shrugging off the critics during times of doubt, and receiving great praise and acclaim when things have been going well.

Despite the Frenchman’s lofty valuation in today’s current footballing climate, Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid have seemingly refused to rule out Benzema’s impending departure from the club, leaving the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United to evaluate their chances of signing the striker in the near future.

A shock January move for the former Lyon man was apparently never on the cards, but with the summer transfer window already on the minds of many – could Karim Benzema soon find himself on the way to the Premier League, and if so, which side would best suit the highly valued Frenchman?

At only 27-years-old, the bustling attacker still has several important years to continue plying his trade at the very top level. Benzema has many aspects to his game that remain greatly impressive – but it’s his reliability in front of goal that seems to serve him the best. The French talent is seemingly able to slot home in most one-on-one scenarios, his turn of pace is surprisingly strong for someone of his bulky build, and as for his physically aggressive nature in the final third, the current Madrid man offers his opposing defenders a real battle to say very the least.

Karim Benzema has already recorded a deadly 19-goals in all competitions so far this campaign, so with his proposed departure from the Bernabeu sending shockwaves throughout the rest of Europe, the Premier League could in fact be the perfect next step for the in-form striker should he decide to eventually move on.

Liverpool, with their somewhat floundering form in front of goal this season, have simply lacked the danger and tenacity that made them such a powerful force in 2013/14. Yes, the return of Daniel Sturridge will certainly go a long way in appeasing such problems, but as the likes of Mario Balotelli, Fabio Borini and Rickie Lambert simply haven’t done the business for Brendan Rodgers this season, a shake-up of their striking department could be exactly what the Reds need to fully turn around their fortunes for next year’s campaign.

That said, if Liverpool fail to qualify for the Champions League this season, Karim Benzema would seemingly never be open to such a move.

The same can therefore be said of Manchester United’s reported interest in the Frenchman. Louis van Gaal’s expensively assembled side may be on course to recording that all important fourth spot in the Premier League in 2014/15, but with the likes of Southampton and Tottenham currently breathing down their necks, the desired draw of Champions League football remains far from guaranteed for the Dutchman.

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Van Gaal would seemingly love to have Benzema at Old Trafford next season however. The reliable front man would likely perform wonders United, in stark contrast to the high-profile pairing of Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao – who simply seem to lack the chemistry needed to form a truly great strike partnership in the English top-flight.

Whilst Manchester United would certainly offer a good home to the Frenchman should he decide to move on by the end of the season, Arsenal would perhaps be the best place for Benzema to ply his trade in the Premier League. Alongside the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Theo Walcott – the Gunners would simply look formidable next term with Benzema on board, if they can somehow avoid the injuries that seem to afflict the North Londoners with every passing campaign.

The Emirates faithful have nevertheless been calling out for a world class striker to take them back to their hotly desired glory days, as even though many believed that Danny Welbeck could eventually fill that void in a season or two, Arsenal have still simply been lacking a proper centre-forward worthy of top-draw status.

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Arsene Wenger’s team would therefore be a great option for 27-year-old. They seemingly have Champions League football guaranteed for next season, the calibre of players at the Emirates would definitely suit playing alongside the current Real Madrid forward, and with real entertainment value offered by Arsenal in the last decade or so, Benzema could ultimately prove to be the icing on the cake for a potentially sensational attacking set-up for the club.

All in all then, whilst the Frenchman’s proposed departure from the Bernabeu is far from definite right now, should the highly valued striker eventually decide to move on from the La Liga giants in the near future – the Emirates could just well prove to be the perfect destination for Karim Benzema. Whether or not Arsenal would stump up his reported £40 million price tag remains a matter still well up and truly for debate however…

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Manchester United hero Rio Ferdinand has called on his old employers to keep faith with record signing Angel di Maria, despite his difficult start to life at Old Trafford.

The Argentine arrived from Real Madrid in a £59.7m deal over the summer, and was widely tipped to be the man to spearhead Louis van Gaal’s new look Red Devils side.

However, despite a promising opening few months to his time at United, Di Maria’s form has dipped alarmingly of late, and he was roundly criticised by pundits and fans following his red card against Arsenal in the clubs’ FA Cup clash earlier this week.

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This has led to claims that the Premier League giants are ready to cut their losses on the 27-year-old, with PSG keen, but Ferdinand – who now plays for QPR after leaving the Theatre of Dreams on a free transfer last year – believes that the attacking star will be a success as long he is given some time:

“I thought Di Maria was a great signing for United and I still think he was a good signing because he is a top player,” he told Goal.

“He was arguably Madrid’s best player last year, him and Ronaldo were their standout players. I think he is a highly talented player.

“But it always takes time for a player to adapt to his new surroundings, especially when you go to a foreign league. Not every player can be like Ronaldo and just turn up and instantly become a superstar. Maybe it will take Di Maria a bit longer. It might take him a year, you never know.

“But his style does suit the Premier League. He is quick, runs at people, hungry to create chances and commit people. I think he is a very talented player and I like him.”

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The Tyne-Wear derby on the back of a 1-0 drubbing at the hands of West Ham. Tough run for Sunderland and their new boss Dick Advocaat. However, the Black Cats once again have the North East bragging rights and end a day in which they could have dropped into the bottom three on a real high.

Burnley’s draw with Spurs leaves the Stadium of Light side three points above the drop zone with seven games to play, and although safety is far from guaranteed, things look positive for Sunderland right now.

We at FFC Towers think they’ll stay up again, and here are THREE reasons why…

Star quality

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A goal fit to win any game. Jermain Defoe’s volley on the stroke of half-time was simply staggering. It may have been a bit route one – goalkeeper long punt, headed down – but there was nothing agricultural about the way the striker connected. The Black Cats paid big money to lure him back to England from Toronto, and goals of such quality and importance justify that decision. The Wearsiders were also better than Newcastle in pretty much every area, which bodes well for the run-in.

Been there, done that

Sunderland were staring at the abyss last season at about this time of the year. Relegation loomed large, but massive wins at Chelsea, Manchester United and Everton hauled them clear of the brown stuff in the nick of time, keeping the club in the top tier.

Many key members of that side are still in the squad Dick Advocaat has to make use of, which is a good sign. Connor Wickham has shown he can score big goals when needed, John O’Shea has the know-how and Lee Cattermole’s passion could be infectious again.

New manager bounce

There’s always a risk when replacing a manager with the season reaching the climax, but Sunderland look to have timed it well. Dick Advocaat’s first outing may have been a disaster, yet after some time with his players, the bounce appears to have kicked in. The Dutchman’s side pressed well against Newcastle, looked neat going forward and showed the sort of fight they’ll need to stay up.

You really do know there’s nothing to talk about when the transfer stories come thick and fast. But it’s not just the ‘thickness’ and the ‘fastness’ that dazzles and confuses during silly season, it’s the sheer ‘silliness’.

The Sergio Ramos whispers are certainly silly.

It might be true, he might be unsettled at the Bernabeu and he might be on his way to Old Trafford, but that doesn’t stop the talk from being pretty silly around the player.

Firstly it is said that he is unhappy at Real Madrid and will not sign a new contract. You can see why a player would want to quit Madrid for the sunny climes of Lancashire. Jokes aside, though Manchester United are an attractive proposition again, back in the Champions League and threatening to spend like a drunken sailor, United are capable of attracting players of the calibre of Ramos.

The thing is, though, would Ramos really want to leave? Madrid is the pinnacle of football for a lot of Spaniards and Hispanics the world over, he’s their best defender and he still has a lot to offer. He also still has two years left on his contract and is reportedly unhappy that they haven’t offered him a new one sooner. That just sounds like a bargaining ploy really, doesn’t it?

In fact, Barcelona Presidential candidate, Jordi Majo has announced that Ramos was offered to him as a ‘trump card’ in his election bid.

Ramos to Barcelona is a sillier story than Ramos to United, but the Barcelona one is probably the hint that none of this is genuinely on the table.

After all that’s happened between the two clubs over the past five years or so, all the bad blood between Mourinho and Guardiola, it’s hard to see a player who was so much involved as Ramos crossing the divide. Surely if his agent were offering him to Barcelona it was to light a fire underneath the Real Madrid bosses.

If Real Madrid themselves were offering Ramos, it was then surely only a hint to Ramos that he’s not irreplaceable. It’s just the contract dance.

And that leaves Manchester United. It would perhaps be the coup of the summer if they were able to bring Ramos into their shaky defence. And to get him as part of the deal to let De Gea go makes perfect sense from a United point of view. They’d lose their prized goalkeeper, but they were resigned to that anyway. But losing him in this way would at least make it easier for them to sign a top class defender.

But again, all of this just smacks of negotiation dancing. United want to show Real that De Gea is valuable to them, and that Real can’t just offer £13m and take their goalkeeper.

This is a case of all parties bearing their teeth and assuming false positions to scare other parties into a deal. Real’s reported offer for De Gea can’t have been a serious one, United demanding Ramos is surely to test their resolve, Ramos to Barcelona is laughable and if the player says he wants to move to United are we really sure that’s not just a negotiation ploy?

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If United could pull this off it would perhaps be the signing of the summer. They’d get one of the World’s top defenders for a couple of million pounds plus a goalkeeper who was leaving anyway. Either way they need a defender, to get Ramos in a deal like this only frees up some money they can use to pile into a deal for a striker.

It really would be the signing of the summer, but the more likely thing still looks like De Gea will go to Real and Ramos will sign an improved contract. In the end, Real always get their man.

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It is likely to be a summer of great change at Old Trafford, again, and Javier Hernandez looks set to join the list of players to leave. And with Robin Van Persie in line to join Radamel Falcao’s in heading through the exit door, United are looking short of centre-forwards.

Arriving back in the UK after his season-long loan at Real Madrid, Hernandez has faced many of the problems that plagued his time at United. While Karim Benzema continued to hold down the starting spot, Hernandez only managed a few starts and functioned more as a substitute. The Mexican poacher is full of confidence that he is deserving of an opportunity as a starter at a top club and could push a move away from Old Trafford to get this opportunity.

Unfortunately for ‘Chicharito’, the modern game asks more of its strikers than just a killer instinct. In the role of ‘bridesmaid’ at both United and Real Madrid, Hernandez is a handy member of the squad, but his restricted all-round game makes him unlikely to become any more than that.

However, Van Gaal may see reason to keep hold of Hernandez for a little while longer. First of all, there is likely to be a number of ins and outs at Old Trafford this summer and any turmoil can be minimised by utilising what they already have. Secondly, if Hernandez were to agree to stay, he could act as excellent cover for Wayne Rooney and boasts a supreme goals per minute record. From United’s perspective, keeping ‘Chicharito’ on for another campaign makes a great deal of sense while others bed in around him, but its understandable that he is searching first-team football.

On a more practical level, Hernandez’s type of play was something United missed for large parts of the 2014/15 season. While Falcao and Van Persie are both highly regarded strikers, their shortage of pace and apparent lack of desire to run in behind severely limited United and often congested their midfield as they both looked to drop off. Only when Rooney played up front did they appear to have someone who may stretch the defence, and Hernandez has the extra pace to cause more problems.

Additionally, the accurate passing of Juan Mata and Ander Herrera in midfield would be the ideal service for the ex-Chivas ace’s sharp and instinctive movement, while Memphis Depay and Angel Di Maria can stretch the game wide.

As United look to challenge for the title once again, any unnecessary changes to the squad should be minimised while the new generation gel. Hernandez may not be pleased to be seen as second fiddle once more, but United must act in a more pragmatic way than last summer and other positions are in far more need of investment than up front.

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If Hernandez is to force his way out and continue to poach elsewhere, Ed Woodward and Van Gaal should look at a market where £15 million is being quoted for Charlie Austin and stick to a high price for the Mexican.

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