2. Mehdi Benatia
While the acquisition of Mats Hummels looks unlikely because United cannot offer the World Cup winner European football this season, the name of Serie A’s No.1 CB last season has propped up in the last few days. Marcos Rojo can play LB, he is likely to be the left-sided centre back in Louis van Gaal’s 3-5-2 system. But while the signing of Rojo does add much-needed depth to a shaky defence, the experienced heads of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have still not been replaced. And given the inconsistencies of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, an experienced top quality CB is still a priority. Daley Blind is an unlikely candidate now, given Rojo has already put pen to paper, which leaves Mehdi Benatia as an ideal prospect to fill the holes in United’s defence.
It was never going to be an easy task to replace skipper Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, but the club had time to weigh up their options. It has been known for eight months that Vidic was leaving and Ferdinand’s performances have increasingly signified the end of a great career. Benatia is a deal that could happen if United are interested, and given Woodward has promised that the funds are there, money wouldn’t be a hurdle. United need a CB to truly challenge for Top 4 this season, how far will Woodward go to deliver it?
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