Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal is delighted with the £16million signing of Sporting Lisbon defender Marcos Rojo claiming he has “ability, physical strength and a willingness to learn”.
The Red Devils finally concluded the signing of the 24-year-old Argentina international who played a big part in his country’s progression to the World Cup final in Brazil this summer where they lost to Germany in extra-time.
Rojo, who moved to Sporting from Spartak Moscow in summer 2012, has penned a five-year contract at Old Trafford, while the Portuguese club have secured the services of winger Nani on a season-long loan and will also collect 20% of any future sell-on fee over £18.4million.
Rojo described the move to United as “a dream for me” and he will be in contention to make his debut in Sunday’s Premier League game against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. United are priced at 1.72 to win, with the Black Cats on offer at 5.05 and the draw is 3.44.
The arrival of Rojo will also solve a selection problem for Van Gaal who handed a debut to Tyler Blackett as part of his three-man defence in last Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat by Swansea City. The Dutch tactician then switched formation during the game and ended it with winger Ashley Cole in the left-back role.
The former Netherlands coach said: “Marcos is a very gifted defender. He can play either as a central defender or left-back.”
“He has ability, physical strength and a willingness to learn,” added Van Gaal. “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.”
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