Left footed defender Marcos Rojo a priority for Louis van Gaal; Nani to move the other way
Argentina defender Marcos Rojo, 24, is set to join Manchester United after a deal was reached with his club Sporting Lisbon.
He is set to become only the club’s third major signing of the summer after Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw who were both long-term targets under previous manager David Moyes.
Rojo played in all six of Argentina’s games at World Cup 2014 in Brazil as they reached the final against Germany.
The deal will be subject to a satisfactory medical and agreeing personal terms but the pacy left footed 6’3″ defender, who can play in central defence as well as at left back, looks set to bolster United who suffered an opening day setback against Swansea City at Old Trafford.
United’s official twitter added that: “A further announcement will be made when the process is complete.”
Rojo, who joined Sporting from Spartak Moscow in 2012, had previously agitated for a move from the Portuguese club and admitted on an Argentine radio station that it “would be a dream to play at Manchester United.”
He also refused to train with Sporting after being refused permission to speak to United, although he later apologised, and missed their first game of the season.
Rojo could be utilised in the left side centre back role in United manager Louis van Gaal’s 3-5-2 formation.
The Dutchman had previously revealed that he required another left footed central defender as only the two-footed Johnny Evans was at ease in the position since Chris Smalling and Phil Jones were predominantly right footed.
Tyler Blackett was used in that role against Swansea and acquitted himself well despite a lack of first team experience although Chris Smalling struggled in the middle of the back three.
United winger Nani, 27, looks set to go the other way as a makeweight along with £16m in cash as van Gaal continued the renovation of his squad whose deficiencies were laid bare by Garry Monk’s side.
Nani will rejoin the side who sold him to United seven years ago initially on loan.