Former Manchester United Man Suggests Gundogan, But Is He What Manchester United Need?

When Sir Alex Ferguson retired last summer, it saw first team coach Rene Meulensteen leave the club as well. The former Manchester United youth and reserve manager took part in a Twitter Q&A recently, and when asked his opinion on which central midfielder the Red Devils need, the 49-year-old replied with Borussia Dortmund’s Ilkay Gundogan. But is he the man to  fill the midfield gap?

The Germany international is one heck of a player, let me start with that. Although the 23-year-old is currently sidelined with back problems, but last season he was able to show Europe just what is he capable of. And although Dortmund finished the season without a trophy, they did reach the Champions League final, and Gundogan was essential to that run.

In all competitions last season the former Nurnberg midfielder played 45 games, scoring five goals, and in his 28 Bundesliga appearances he racked up a pass completion of 87%. He is a silky box-to-box player who has a brilliant awareness about him and the technique to back it up.

His nimbleness on the ball is also beautiful to watch, while he is strong in the tackle.

My belief is that Meulensteen is spot on with the shout. The arrival of the Dortmund man could really prove to be the difference, although how likely that is I have no idea.