With attention understandably focused on Manchester United’s impending record signing of Angel Di Maria, the capture of fellow Argentine Marcos Rojo for £16 million has taken a back seat. Nevertheless, the club’s third summer recruit could be a crucial piece of the jigsaw – manager Louis van Gaal sees the 24-year-old as integral to his plans and has waxed lyrical over the defender’s versatility:
“Marcos is very gifted. He has played at the highest level in world football and can play either as a central defender or left-back. He has ability, physical strength and a willingness to learn that means he has a very bright future ahead of him. He had a very strong World Cup and has been playing in Europe for a couple of years now. He is a very good addition to the team.”
THE HISTORY
Recruited by his local side Estudiantes de La Plata at just ten years of age, Rojo signed his first professional contract in 2009. Promoted to the first team, he was employed predominantly as a left-back and managed 53 appearances in three years, scoring four times and helping his club win the Copa Libertadores and Argentine Primera Division.
Despite signing a five-year deal with Spartak Moscow in December 2010, Rojo made a total of 17 appearances and delivered a single goal and assist in a forgettable spell before moving to Sporting Lisbon for £3.5 million in July 2012. His first year with the club was disastrous; rash tackling, positional naivety and temper tantrums contributed directly to the side’s worst season in their existence.
Last year the side enjoyed a rebirth, though, and Rojo began to impress Europe’s top scouts. Lisbon secured Champions League football by finishing second, utilising him as centre-half in a backline that conceded just 12 goals in 29 games. Rojo proved to be a decent goal threat from the back and scored seven times in 61 outings for the Portuguese outfit, though it’s fair to say his disciplinary record leaves something to be desired and may deter some Fantasy suitors – he picked up 23 yellows and was dismissed on five occasions during his time with Sporting.
On the international stage, Rojo made his debut for Argentina back in February 2011 and has subsequently represented his country on 28 occasions, finding the net once.
THE PROSPECTS
Although he stands six foot one and is adept at centre-half, Rojo built his reputation as a pacey attacking full-back, with excellent close control and the ability to beat an opponent before rifling in pinpoint crosses. While most expect Luke Shaw – when fully fit – to take up the role on the left, whether in a 3-5-2 or 4-3-3 formation, Rojo is certainly adept in the position and offers a definite alternative if Van Gaal chooses to overlook the youngster. In the recent World Cup, for example, he executed the most key passes and the second-most crosses of any defender in the tournament.
In terms of pitch time, Van Gaal’s statement above looks key. Rojo is versatile enough to offer United the chance to switch tactics during matches, moving from the heart of a back-three to left-back in a four-man back-line (or vice versa) and perhaps gives him an advantage over his defensive team-mates in terms of security.
Given the club’s current injury woes, it seems we won’t have a clear picture of Van Gaal’s intentions until he has a fully-fit squad to choose from, though even if Shaw edges ahead for the position on the left, Rojo’s installation will afford United a much-needed injection of pace through the middle.
Available for 6.0 in FPL, Rojo is the Red Devils’ most expensive defensive option after Shaw suffered a drop to 5.9 but it’s something of an understatement to suggest his new side have done little to vindicate our investment to date. With United conceding three goals in their opening two fixtures, few will be willing to risk so much until the Old Trafford outfit begin to show some signs of solidity. Once his work permit comes through, Rojo looks a definite starter and has some very strong fixtures in the upcoming six (bur, QPR, lei, WHM, EVE, wba), though, as we’ve seen so far, whether Van Gaal’s side have the form to take advantage is another matter entirely.
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