Of all the players linked to a possible Manchester United move this summer only one still has a chance of adding a World Cup winning medal to his collection. What’s more, he is the sole reason why Uruguay will be facing Holland in next week’s semi final. And 23 year old Luis Suarez himself is adamant that only United and Barcelona could tempt him to quit Ajax Amsterdam.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson has long admired the man who broke millions of hearts on the African continent by handling on the goal line to deny Ghana a last kick, quarter final winner and provide the opportunity for Uruguay to go through by virtue of that dramatic penalty shootout. Being labeled a cheat by so many Ghanaian sympathisers will matter little for a young man who will always be regarded as a hero in his country.
Ferguson’s interest has never been in the ability of Suarez to deny goals however but only in his proven instinct to put them away – and he has been doing that throughout his short career. He has proven to be a world class finisher with remarkable technical ability, blessed with a powerful shot who can also be a serious threat in the air. It makes him the ideal type of striker who has the potential to become a sensation in the Premier League.
Suarez has been linked with a host of major European clubs after scoring 49 goals in 48 outings for Ajax last season and even taking into account the fact that competition in Holland is clearly not as fierce as it is in England, being named Dutch Footballer Of The Year is an impressive enough confirmation of his undoubted qualities.
The decision by Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez to partner Suarez with former United forward Diego Forlan in South Africa was rewarded with three decisive strikes which helped drive his country into the World Cup semi finals for the first time in fourty years.
There can be little doubt that Suarez will be a wonderful acquisition at Old Trafford. He’s in the right age bracket and has that valuable international experience which is always needed in European competition. He has also made it clear that United will be one of only two clubs that he will consider leaving Ajax for when he stated that “Barcelona and Manchester United are two of the elite teams of Europe. When they are on the phone you listen. But for a club in a category below that, I will not leave. I am having too much of a good time at this club. I feel loved and appreciated and that feels good.”
So the ball is now firmly in Ferguson’s court. While Sir Alex does not give the impression that he’s prepared to open his cheque book for anyone this summer, he can do far worse than splash a few million on a young player who has already proven his pedigree. Besides, if an occasion ever arises where an emergency goalkeeper is required, Suarez has shown the ability to do that job as well.
Will Ferguson finally open his cheque book and bring Suarez to Old Trafford?
