Is Luka Modric Good enough? By @Connor_MUFC

Well, it’s that time of year again, and we are being linked with some of the best players in Europe, young and old. This summer, however, it seems that it’s every midfielder in Europe, regardless of their talent, age or experience. 

Perhaps the biggest name so far this summer is Tottenham’s Luka Modric. The Croatian has enjoyed another stellar season individually. He managed five goals in forty games for Spurs, with six. Stats like these don’t look too promising, but Modric isn’t your average midfielder. He is of a rare breed, much like Paul Scholes or Andrea Pirlo. He dictates the play, pinging out passes all over the pitch, all game long. If Luka Modric plays well, Spurs or Croatia play well. He is the type of player United haven’t had since Scholes was in his prime. Technically brilliant, imaginative and not afraid to get stuck in when it comes to challenges. 

It’s not often that a single signing can change the dynamic of a team instantly, especially a team of United’s quality. But Luka Modric wouldn’t just revitalize our midfield, he would feed Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck and Chicharito with chances that were lacking last season. Jermain Defoe will tell you that if it wasn’t for Modric, he wouldn’t have got anywhere near seventeen goals last season. Imagine Rooney, a player that has had to carry our attack single handedly for the last three years, playing up front knowing that Modric, along with Kagawa, will give him a constant supply of quality balls.

There are downsides to signing Luka Modric, however. First off, and perhaps the biggest downside, especially to SAF, is that Modric is 26 now. That means that he probably only has around 4-6 peak years left in him. For £30m+, that simply isn’t viable to Sir Alex, as he showed with Wesley Sneijder last summer. Modric’s age isn’t the only downside though. Many United fans, including myself, have often questioned his success in terms of winning trophies. Luka Modric has never won a trophy with Tottenham, and only ever played one season in the Champions League. This brings with it a lack of big game experience, something that is crucial at a club like Manchester United. Shinji Kagawa has it, winning two Bundesliga titles and a German Cup with Borussia Dortmund. 

This the biggest problem I personally have with Modric.Nevertheless, I would be delighted if we managed to sign Luka Modric. He is arguably one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. He clearly has ambition and a will to play at the highest level. With that being said, as well as being delighted, I would be surprised if we got him. Interest from both Real Madrid and Barcelona have been well documented, and I don’t think we could compete with them financially or in terms of winning trophies. There are other targets, such as Thiago or Kevin Strootman. They are younger, as well as cheaper, but I still think Modric is top of Sir Alex’s list, therefore the most likely ‘big’ signing of the summer.