Can This Rock Solid Argentine Solve Manchester United’s Defensive Headaches?

While Manchester United fans bid adieu to one Radamel Falcao at the end of the season, they have been thinking about their striking options for next season. Robin Van Persie isn’t the player he used to be, Wayne Rooney needs someone to partner him and Javier Hernandez could not secure a permanent deal with Real Madrid and is returning to Manchester United for next season.

It isn’t just the attacking options that are playing havoc with United’s plans for next season, their goalkeeping problems are going to get worse with Real Madrid apparently tracking David De Gea and this is all before we even get to the problem of United’s defence.

Ever since they let go of experienced players like Vidic, Ferdinand and Evra, they haven’t really brought in anyone who has a lot of experience at the back. Sure, Marcos Rojo is a good defender but he doesn’t provide the same stability and leadership that the trio provided for United. There even was talk about selling the likes of Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling but they stuck about and Smalling even got a new contract to celebrate. They still are thinking of signing another player to fix their defence, Nicolas Otamendi, the Valencia defender could be the answer to United’s defensive problems.

An Argentine in the centre of defence for United

People might be questioning Otamendi’s ability since he has spent most of his career in the Portuguese league but ever since he joined Valencia, he has been one of the rock solid defenders in the league.

According to Whoscored.com, Otamendi is the highest rated defender in La Liga this season. The 27-year-old has a rating of 7.59 and is the highest placed player in the league after a trio of Barcelona and a trio of Real Madrid players that does speak volumes about Otamendi’s ability to perform in a completely new league which should help him in good stead if he does make it to England.

He is even rated higher than the highest rated Manchester United defender, Phil Jones. Otamendi has a better return for his club in terms of tackles made per game and dribbles completed but the other stats more or less similar to that of Jones, what Otamendi does have is leadership and the ability to control his fellow defenders and make them work as a unit.

Valencia have needed cash to help their club as with the sales of Mata and Silva earlier and they could have to part with another star player next season. Otamendi would be a great addition to Manchester United and the only stumbling block could be finalizing the deal with United, they already faced rejection from Mats Hummels but Otamendi could be the right answer for their defensive questions.