Is Pedro a good solution for Manchester United?

   It looks as if Manchester United's record signing from last season Angel Di Maria could already be leaving the club. Problems such as settling into the local area, combined with failing to consistently impress in the starting eleven has left little to no reason to suggest that next season Angel Di Maria won't be wearing the red of Manchester United. 

   However recent reports have hugely linked Manchester United with already finding a replacement, in Barcelona winger Pedro. With a release clause of an estimated £22 Million it seems like a justifiable solution to Di Maria leaving for P.S.G. Pedro has always been a consistent performer for Barcelona, in 175 appearances for the current Spanish champions he has netted an impressive 94 goals (Soccerbase), with an average goals per game ratio of 0.36, a very impressive haul for a player who regularly switches between playing on the wing and in a forward position. If you compare these stats to Di Maria, the Argentine comes up short with a goals per game average of only 0.16. Pedro also has a huge amount of honours he has won with Spain to add to the impressive Spaniard's CV. World cup and European Championship winners medal's provide the winger with an added impotence over Di Maria. To win the World Cup especially you have to be consistent, work in a team with huge cohesion and of course have a little luck, but by winning the World cup this can give a player vital experience needed to improve overall ability and vital experience. 

(Is Pedro Louis Van Gaal's 'superstar'?)

   The versatility that Pedro possesses could also be key to the possibility of the transfer. He is capable of playing in a number of different positions, such as Left/Right wing, Striker or a false no. 9 position. This could be a favorable factor for Louis Van Gaal, as he has always had a philosophy of having players who can play in different positions across his teams. With Man United in far more competitions next season it will be key to have players who are versatile and can play in different positions in order to maximize the quality of the starting eleven. Some Man United fans will be doubtful in selling the Argentine International, but the fact that he looks to be perusing a move away from Man United, and specifically to a team like P.S.G, who play in a far poorer standard league in comparison with the best clubs in Europe, might indicate that he is not up for the challenge that Louis Van Gaal expects of his players. Being educated by Barcelona is also a positive in relation to joining Man United, Louis Van Gaal favours players who can play the ball very comfortably with their feet, and adopt excellent technique, an element which is very present in Pedro's game. 

(Pedro scoring against Man United in the 2010 Champions League final.)

   So is Pedro definitely coming to Old Trafford? The situation at Barcelona seems untenable for Pedro, and with Sky Bet pricing him at 1/8 (28/07/2015:17.02 GMT) it looks very likely. With a front line of Messi, Suarez and Neymar consistently performing and starting every game for Barcelona, a place in the starting eleven every week seems very unlikely. Having spent last season mostly on the bench it is well documented that Pedro is unhappy with the lack of playing time. Pedro himself has been quoted in April saying his time in Barcelona has been "difficult" (Marca). His team mate and compatriot Gerard Pique is also a huge admirer of his qualities and has expressed his opinion that he would not be surprised if Pedro left the Nou Camp, mainly as he is not getting the game time because he has the best three players in the world ahead of him. 

   So a move to Man United would only be a positive one for the English club, Barcelona have already admitted they don't like the idea of losing Pedro, but they cannot guarantee him a lot of game time, so Barcelona have limited options. However the move will only materialise if Di Maria leaves, and thus I then expect Pedro to come in soon after and Man United to sign Pedro by activating his release clause within his current contract at Barcelona.