How a Manchester United transfer could/should affect West Ham

Manchester United have been anything but quiet in their pursuit of Leicester City center-back and English International Harry Maguire this summer. Even though this deal doesn’t directly affect West Ham, there could and should be a connection in the aftermath.

Firstly, you have to appreciate the stalwartness of West Ham with Manchester United turning their attention to Issa Diop after Harry Maguire seemed a long shot earlier this summer. West Ham listed a massive return for Diop, including Anthony Martial atop an £80m price tag. The banter was amazing on that ask.

But, United were not going to be denied on their top target, Maguire, and now an £80m fee seems to be all but done to bring over the Leicester defender. West Ham are not a part of this transfer at all, but they really should insert themselves for a loan deal on a redundant Red in the wake of Maguire’s arrival.

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The player is Marcos Rojo, and I understand a lot of people won’t be happy with this name or prospective deal but allow me to explain myself.

Despite his failure to secure regular starting minutes for Manchester United since joining in 2014 from Sporting CP, Rojo is an effective and versatile defender. His also brings with him 59 international caps for Argentina, including a ton of games at left-back and even an appearance at left-mid.

Acting as a competitive left-back and cover center-back, Rojo addresses two areas of lesser need for Pellegrini’s team. Center-back isn’t an area of need, but Ogbonna and Reid are both not ideal to mix into the first team should an injury fall on Diop or Balbuena.

At left-back, however, there is a need for potentially replacing or inspiring injury-prone Aaron Cresswell and streaky Arthur Masuaku. Rojo’s extensive international experience at left-back gives me enough confidence that he could challenge for this position and seamlessly take the starting position if need be.

Next. West Ham disjointed in preseason toon-up vs. Newcastle. dark

Injury has limited his time under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and has likely made him expendable with Maguire, Lindelof, Bailly, Smalling, and Jones all in the depth chart. It isn’t an exciting transfer but if Pellegrini wants and gets him I have full faith that Rojo could be an impactful player for the Hammers.