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Top 5 Premier League destinations for Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez

By Rucker Haringey

MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 13: James Rodriguez of Real Madrid looks on during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Athletic Club at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on February 13, 2016 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Pedro Castillo/Real Madrid via Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 13: James Rodriguez of Real Madrid looks on during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Athletic Club at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on February 13, 2016 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Pedro Castillo/Real Madrid via Getty Images) /
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 02: Wayne Rooney (R) of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team's second goal with his team mate Anthony Martial (L) during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Swansea City at Old Trafford on January 2, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 02: Wayne Rooney (R) of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with his team mate Anthony Martial (L) during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Swansea City at Old Trafford on January 2, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /

1. Manchester United

Much has been made of Manchester United’s attacking struggles this season but the conversation typically centers around their striking options. The reality is their play at the number ten position has been at least as big a weakness as their struggles at number nine.

Regular readers of this space know that I don’t rate Juan Mata much at all. I tend to fall in line with Jose Mourinho’s thinking that the Spaniard is a bit of a luxury player. I don’t think he’s a bad player per se, just not someone I want to build my lineup around.

As such, I think United will plunge themselves headlong into the market to find an upgrade behind the striker this summer. If available, James Rodriguez will be one of the best options they can imagine. Combine that with Ed Woodward’s quest to sign big names and it’s easy to see United coming to terms with Real Madrid over the world-class attacker.

The struggle with adding Rodriguez is that it would likely push Rooney out of the lineup completely. His most effective position on the season has been playing as a number 10, and signing James would leave him on the bench most nights. Of course that won’t be a significant factor if the England captain opts for China in the summer.

Related Story: Age imbalance is killing Manchester United

Rodriguez wouldn’t be the complete answer to United’s prayers, but he’d be a better purchase that the often rumored Cristiano Ronaldo. Rodriguez is younger, cheaper and carries less off the field baggage than his world-famous teammate. Ironically, Madrid’s decision to sell Rodriguez instead of Ronaldo might just be enough to save United from themselves.

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