What to make of the Manchester United and Nicolas Gaitan talk

Talk has ramped up again of Manchester United moving for Benfica playmaker Nicolas Gaitan. Here's our assessment of it.

The Portuguese press reported on Monday that Nicolas Gaitan's move to Manchester United could be back on after all.

What are the chances of it being true? It is fair to say it is unlikely, and fans of the Red Devils will not be overly upset if it does not happen.

The Telegraph were pushing this deal as a certainty as far back as December, later reporting it to be a formality once the summer transfer window opened, but nothing has materialised.

The reason, perhaps there was simply never anything in it in the first place, beyond agent talk. Secondly Benfica did not want to sell a key player.

Gaitan's agent is Jorge Mendes, who helped bring about moves to Old Trafford for Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani, and Bebe. It looks like that latter deal was when his luck ran out, and his efforts to get another big pay day out of United via Gaitan are going to be futile.

The reports in Portugal claim that Benfica want to raise funds, but their finances are in no dire straits. They have spent £17 million this summer and sold £8 million worth of players, and if they did want to raise further money Gaitan is far from their only option, with Witsel, Cardozo, Aimar, and Rodrigo among their many saleable assets.

Another key point, is whether United actually need him? Now this didn't stop them signing Robin van Persie, but if United do sign a midfielder, they require a central one rather than a left-sided player.

And then there is Sir Alex Ferguson's statement they do not intend on adding further to the squad.

The one thing working in favour of this deal is the situation with Nani. The winger is being linked away with a move from Old Trafford, and was not even selected on the bench against Fulham at the weekend.

If Nani is sold, then United will likely head back into the market to find a replacement. Gaitan may just be that man.

Otherwise be sceptical as to whether this deal will happen.

Do United need Gaitan? Should he replace Nani? Who should they sign?

Dan Coombs

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Dan Coombs is a writer who is keen to embrace the internet revolution. He first started writing for us in June 2011 and commenced his new role as Sports Editor in February 2012.

As a trained journalist he has met famous faces from Mr T to Boris Johnson. He once featured in an England World Cup music video too, but it did not make the charts.

He grew up wanting to be a Formula 1 driver, but it looks like this dream has passed him by. Instead, he hopes you enjoy reading his writing on our site, as we seek to debate the day's sporting hot topics.