Barcelona’s tactical turmoil could spell January move for Man Utd and Man City target

Barcelona’s tactical turmoil could spell January move for Man Utd and Man City target

Ivan Rakitic’s place in Luis Enrique’s ever-changing Blaugrana line-up is far from secure.

 As footballing dilemmas go, trying to work out a line-up that best makes use of the talents of Lionel Messi, Neymar, Luis Suarez and the rest of Barcelona’s star-studded squad is one most managers would like to have.
However, while Luis Enrique is unlikely to start moaning about his Camp Nou troubles anytime soon, he is undoubtedly unsure of how to set his Blaugrana side up at the moment.
The manager has used a different line-up in each and every one of the 22 matches Barcelona have played this season, and the midfield in particular is causing Enrique headaches.
Xavi is past his peak and summer signing Ivan Rakitic has not convinced as the long-term solution in the middle of the park.
The Croatian was signed as a more balanced midfielder than Barcelona have traditionally used next to Sergio Busquets, able to put in a shift defensively as well as contribute to the attack.
This extra input at the back is needed both to allow complete freedom for the attacking trio of Messi, Neymar and Suarez, and also to cover Dani Alves, whose attitude towards his defensive duties is complacent, to put it mildly.
However, the 26-year-old has struggled to shine in this role, winning just 34 per cent of his attempted tackles in La Liga, and creating just 15 chances in 14 games.
Even at 34, Xavi has been used ahead of the Croatian increasingly often of late.
All this uncertainty might have created an intriguing opportunity for Manchester United and Manchester City, who have both been linked with a £20m January move for Rakitic.
The last midfielder deemed surplus to requirements at Barcelona has certainly enjoyed moving to the Premier League, with Cesc Fabregas notching 11 league assists for Chelsea already this term.

Rakitic might not produce similar numbers immediately, but if he could replicate the displays he turned in for Sevilla last season either Manchester club would be delighted to have him.
The midfielder scored 12 goals and registered 10 assists in 34 La Liga games, creating 78 chances in total – the fourth-most in La Liga.
It all seems to be coming together for Louis van Gaal at United, who have won six games on the bounce and are 3/5 to make it seven from seven away at Aston Villa
in their next match.

More on: Man Utd, Man City, Barcelona

source:bwinbetting.com

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