{SPORTS} Manchester United Have Signed Sporting Lisbon Defender Marcos Rojo

Manchester United has finally got their man, Argentina and Sporting Lisbon star Marcos Rojo. It’s reported the deal was done earlier this evening after both parties agreed with a final offer of £16 million.



United’s move for Rojo had been complicated by a row between Sporting and a third-party ownership group. That has now been resolved, with the Portuguese club receiving nine million euros, and the rest going to the third party as such multiple-ownership arrangements are banned in England.

Renowned as a tough, competitive defender who can play in the middle or on the left, Rojo is also something of a hot-head – as displayed when he went on strike after Sporting rejected United’s initial bid. He later apologised.

But he is the ideal signing for United at the moment, with new boss Louis van Gaal keen on playing a three-man central defence, and short of cover at left wingback.

Before the deal was agreed, former Estudiantes and Spartak Moscow star Rojo told Argentina radio station Continental: “It’s a dream to play at Manchester United and I am very proud of having the chance of working with [Louis] van Gaal.

“I spoke with Juan Sebastian Veron about Manchester United when we were at Estudiantes. I have always liked English football, and I should adapt to this new playing style easily.”