What would Everton's Seamus Coleman bring to Manchester United?

With Seamus Coleman being linked with a move to Manchester United, Adam Bate examines whether Everton right-back is the man for Louis van Gaal...

Antonio Valencia was widely credited with enjoying a good season at right-back for Manchester United. However, it was perhaps at Goodison Park in April that United boss Louis van Gaal was persuaded to look elsewhere. Valencia was partially culpable for each of the three goals as Everton ran out 3-0 winners.

Van Gaal didn't have far to look for a potentially better alternative. The contrast between Valencia’s efforts and those of the Everton right-back Seamus Coleman was stark and recent reports suggest that the Irishman’s long-mooted move to Old Trafford could be concluded this summer.

Coleman was linked with United during David Moyes’ brief reign and contributed to its premature conclusion with a man-of-the-match performance in the Scot’s final game in charge. Of course, it’s not just his performances against United that have sparked this interest. Coleman has been consistently impressive.

He makes a massive difference to Everton. He’s the best player in that position. Jamie Carragher

“We are talking about, I think, the best right-back in the league,” said Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher on Monday Night Football in October. “He makes a massive difference to Everton. He’s the best player in that position.” Coleman’s position is not an easy one to master either. It's the ultimate risk-versus-reward role.

“He plays in a demanding position which needs you to be so good in many areas,” said Everton manager Roberto Martinez last year. That’s something Valencia has discovered under Van Gaal, admitting it’s proven a “hard position to learn” since making the transition from the right wing.

“When I go forward to overlap, I've always got to be conscious about getting back and it’s a lot more dangerous,” Valencia told MUTV. “If you do leave room for people, they can hurt you.”

Seamus Coleman could be reunited with Marouane Fellaini at Old Trafford

The Ecuadorian did at least embrace the challenge. Indeed, his responsible approach to the role meant that what might have been seen as an attacking move was actually a reflection of Van Gaal’s preference for control of the ball and position over the more gung-ho style of fan-favourite Rafael.

Van Gaal praised the Brazilian’s “fantastic attitude” but appeared less fond of his gambling forays forward. That makes the interest in Coleman intriguing, given that those driving runs have been a feature of his performances in an Everton shirt. Perhaps the crucial point here is simply that Coleman has proven more effective.

While part of a back-four, he has also taken on the responsibility of contributing in the final third. Coleman has scored 12 goals for his club over the past two seasons – three times as many as Rafael and Valencia have managed between them in that time. It requires energy and skill. Coleman has shown he possesses plenty of both.

Seamus Coleman on target against QPR - one of 12 goals in two seasons

He’s willing to make the sorts of bursting runs that saw him get on the end of a cross from his fellow full-back Leighton Baines to score against Aston Villa last season. That was just one of 2153 high-intensity sprints in the Premier League in 2014/15 - more than any of his Everton team-mates, more than anyone at Old Trafford and among the top five in the country.

So will his performances transfer effectively to Van Gaal’s United? At 26, he’s at a good age to make the transition and taste Champions League action for the first time. Importantly, it seems that Coleman has the mentality to rise to the challenge too. Martinez has highlighted his “football arrogance” as a key asset.

“He's a world-class footballer, which he showed from the way he performed last season,” said the Spaniard earlier this year. “I still feel that now he's got a bigger role to play in his career. He's become important in a team that we want to grow in order to achieve big things as well.”

Seamus Coleman seems to have the mentality to handle a big transfer

But this praise came with a warning. He added: “Sometimes that's better than going to a club in Europe where you're not guaranteed to play... This is the best place for him to develop his potential.”

The lure of a hefty pay rise and Champions League football would test that theory and if Coleman really does have the arrogance to which Martinez refers, he should not be too troubled by the fears over his place. In fact, he might fancy his chances of being a significant upgrade on Valencia. And he might well be right.