Robben to United: A move coming too late?

Yesterday, news of Arjen Robben move to Manchester United saturated the Internet. Unconfirmed reports has it that  the Dutchman has agreed to join United in January, following a fall out with fellow Bayern team mate Lewandoski. 

A move to United is a possibility based on two to three reasons.

Firstly, Robben is not strange to United manager Van Gaal. He is one of Van Gaal favorite, most trusted, important and potent players when Van Gaal managed the Dutch team. Secondly United currently lack firepower on the flanks, and Van Gaal has come out to say he needs speed and creativity on the wings, and without a second thought, Robben fills into the caliber of players that can bring the needed spark on the wings for united.

But here's the begging question: is Robben the solution to United's problems?

Robben is a player whose quality can never be questioned, but signing him to United is a move United may not need at this time, considering certain factors.

1. His age: At 31, Robben's best footballing days are arguably behind him. Hence signing him reveals United's short sightedness. With quite a number of key players in the United squad over and around thirty,  bringing another thirty year old may not be the best.

Players like Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick, Bastian, are over thirty. Therefore signing a player, whose replacement will be needed in the next two or three season may not be the best of decisions.

Van Gaal has already laid down a good template for the United future, with players like Martial, Lingard, Depay, Perreria, De Gea and Schneiderlin key to the perfect United future. Van Gaal has spent a lot in two seasons at United, hence any signing now should be one with the future in view, so in the next two or three seasons, the team will be stable needing less reinforcements.

2. His Injury issues: while you can never doubt his quality and consistency, same cannot be said about his availability due to injuries. Robben is injury prone. That was one of the main reasons he has had to move from one club to another.

At his age, injuries don't heal very fast, and that is not good for a Player United may be relying very much on. He is one of the few players in football that have the 'glass leg'.

3. Tactical imbalance: the arrival of Robben to the United, means one if the present united attackers would have his playing time reduced. The main target here are Mata, Lingard, Depay and Herrera.

These are players that have been doing a decent job for United up to date, with the exception of Depay. While non of the good performers are not outright wingers, Lingerd and Depay both with time would develop into classy wingers. Robben's arrival maybe harmful to the development of players like Lingard, and Depay.

Do you think United need Robben?