by ‘Ifreke Inyang

Coach of the Chilean national team, Jorge Sampaoli, has said that Arturo Vidal might have been a Manchester United player by now, if new manager Louis van Gaal didn’t have doubts about his fitness.

Vidal has been heavily linked with a move to United this summer, with speculations indicating that the Old Trafford side are willing to pay up to £47m for his signature.

“I know that the main problem in Vidal’s $80m (£47m) transfer from Juventus to Manchester United is Louis van Gaal’s doubt over the improvement of Arturo’s knee,” Sampaoli told the Chilean publication.

Sampaoli also claimed that Vidal was just “30% or 40%” of the player he was for the Serie A champions last season at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The midfielder underwent knee cartilage surgery at the beginning of May, but was rushed back to feature in Brazil.

ifreke

Ifreke Inyang is a public commentator and social media critic who has worked with a number of high profile publications across the country.