Forget Smalling And Blind – These 3 Defenders Will Be A Rock For Manchester United If They Are Signed

Manchester United have had all sorts of problems this year. While last year, the major problem seemed to be the midfield, this year it has been different areas in phases. Towards the start of the current season, the United attack were questioned game and again as they failed to score goals whenever the team needed them badly, but towards the second half of the season it’s the defence that has them down. Their defence has been all over the place at times. For example in the match against Arsenal, the Manchester United defence were shredded into pieces for the beginning 20 minutes.

While Chris Smalling has stepped up and performed the duties well for at least the first part of the season, he has always felt short of support from his fellow central defenders. Daley Blind, who has partnered him the most, is not an out and out centre back. Marcos Rojo also seems more of a left back and Phil Jones remains consistently out of the team with injuries. This brings us to the topic of 3 defenders that United should be looking to sign in the coming transfer window.

John Stones

The Englishman has been continuously linked with the Chelsea since the start of last season. However, Manchester United may go ahead and grab him in the coming summer transfer season. He is just 21 and is already valued at 50 million euros by Everton. He is a defender who likes drawing the opponent attacker’s attention towards him and then tries and completely marks them off and show them very less of the ball.

Roberto Martinez already expects him to be a future leader. Stones is very good on the ball and hardly lays a misplaced pass. The English youngster is also very good on the one on ones with the opponent striker and wins most of the aerial duels as well. If Manchester United get this talented youngster, they might have got a future leader for the club’s defence. Also he might form a brilliant partnership with fellow countryman Chris Smalling at defence.

Toby Alderweireld

Another one of those talented Ajax products. Post Ajax he joined Atletico Madrid in 2013 and in his second season there was loaned out to Southampton. It was there where he caught the eye of the English clubs and because of his brilliant performances in 2014-15 season, Tottenham stepped up their interest in the Belgian centre back and signed him on a five year contract. And what a season he has had. He has been an absolute brick wall for Spurs in the heart of the defence. He is one of the prime reasons why Spurs are still up in the 2^nd place in the league table.

Alderweireld has particularly performed well in big matches in the English Premier League and has been equally good in the Europa league as well. At 27 years of age, he is yet to reach the prime of his defensive best and once he does that he will really be the one to beat. He also can form a lethal partnership with Chris Smalling in the centre of the defence and if Manchester United can get him, they might have the best central defensive pair in the Premier League. This season he has an average duels percentage of 51% and he also provides a scoring threat and has scored 3 goals.

Raphael Varane

The Frenchman has been linked with Manchester United for quite some time now. He is still not a regular starter in the Real Madrid side and many coaches still prefer to start Pepe over him. He is a player who has been claimed by many as the next defensive beast to overtake World football. Many people believe him to better the performances of Madrid legend Fernando Hierro. He is a centre back who is fast as well as strong at the same time.

Varane is known for providing accurate passes to his team-mates. This season itself he has an average pass accuracy of 88% and has an average duels percentage of 51%. He has won 20 tackles, made 34 interceptions and also has 97 clearances to his name. He is just 22 and can go on and become the next defensive star of the Premier League. Also with the new look United side which boasts of youngsters, Varane would perfectly fit into Louis Van Gaal’s philosophy. He can be a good replacement for Daley Blind and become a good ball playing centre back.