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Manchester United started off the preseason with new signings of Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw during the summer transfer and with the new addition of Head Coach Louis Van Gaal to the coaching staff along with Ryan Giggs becoming his assistant manager. We saw David Moyes being booted out as the head coach during the last few weeks of last season with Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Alexander Büttner, Bèbé, and Nani leaving on a season-long loan to Sporting Lisbon. Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw came in with the minds of helping Manchester United get back on top, but new addition of Argentinian Marcos Rojo in the centre back will be a great substitution of the late Nemanja Vidic and Ferdinand.
Manchester United reported today that they had just finished the transfer of Argentinian Marcos Rojo from Sporting Lisbon, in a deal that is said to be worth £16m ($27m). Sporting also confirmed that the deal involved Nani, who is 27, returning back to his old team after being at Manchester United for seven years, on a loan. Defender Rojo played in all six of Argentina’s World Cup games on their run to the Final of the FIFA World Cup this past summer. He played a great role for the Argentinian club as a defender, keeping the attacking teams from scoring.
Last week we heard talks about how Rojo wanted to leave Sporting and how it would be a dream come true if he were to play for the English team. He also refused to train with Sporting due to his frustration at not being allowed to leave, but later on apologized for his actions.
Rojo started his career with Argentinian team Estudiantes LP, where he spent three years of his professional career. During his time there he won a Copa Libertadores and an Argentine Primera Division title. He spent most of his time as a left back defender and developed a reputation as a capable attacker, scoring his first goal in a 2-1 defeat against LDU Quito in the 2010 Recopa Sudamericana.
From there he spent a year in Spartak Moscow, making only 8 appearances and making his professional career at Moscow short. He then moved to Sporting Lisbon for £3.5 million and signed a four-year contract. There he was able to make 49 appearances and score 5 goals during his two-year tenure at Sporting. But he got his glory during the 2014 FIFA World Cup as he opened up opportunities for him to move to a bigger and better team and become a better player.
Marcos Rojo makes him a good fit for United Manager Louis van Gaal’s preferred 3-5-2 formation and will be a great addition for United’s defense. This will also make United’s third signed player since the end of last season.
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