Manchester United have been linked with defensive reinforcements this January with the team looking shaky at the back, and they suffered three consecutive defeats on the turn of the new year. Considering the injury worries and lack of cover in central defence, a move for Benfica’s Argentine central defender Ezequiel Garay could be a wise one, and here are three reasons why.
Garay is not a no-nonsense defender and his strengths lie in intercepting and reading the game- he has a calm, composed manner and is comfortable on the ball. For both Benfica and Argentina, he is the starting point in getting the ball forward to more creative souls, thanks to his comfort in possession and crisp passing.
At Benfica, much of Garay’s success has been due to his central-defensive partner Luisao emerging from the defensive line to win aerial duels with Garay sweeping up any danger behind him. It would be very similar at United, as his more cultured approach would dove-tail nicely with skipper Nemanja Vidic’s no-nonsense physical style.
Garay possesses an excellent technical ability, and will provide a South American flair to an otherwise straightforward back-line. To top it all off, Garay has the ability to get crucial goals which may come in handy, especially with United traditionally relying on getting goals from all over the pitch.
Garay scored 9 goals in 30 league appearances for Racing Santander in the 2006/07 season, which was his most prolific by far. He has scored a total of 23 goals in 260 appearances for club and country, and with United’s high quality set-piece specialists, he can become a dangerous proposition for opposition defences.
While Manchester United isn’t exactly lacking in center-backs, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic are past their prime while Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are yet to show any consistency with Jonny Evans yet to be a regular starter. With Rio Ferdinand contemplating retirement, Garay could be the ideal long-term replacement for the Englishman.
The 27-year old Garay will be entering his prime and already has sufficient experience in the La Liga, the Portuguese league and the Champions League to establish himself as the first choice at the club. He has had few fitness concerns in the last few years, and he could be the man to bring stability and consistency to United’s injury-plagued defense.
In the annals of football history, few names evoke as much reverence and admiration as…
Are you new to the world of football betting and would you like to take…
If you are into sports betting, staying ahead of the game is crucial. One way…
I have prepared some interesting and fun football facts for you, perfect for those who love the thrill of discovery almost as much as the excitement found at https://www.staycasino.com/. Like the unpredictable nature of casino games, these facts will surprise and intrigue you with unexpected twists and turns in the world of football. Here is the complete list of 40 interesting and fun facts about football. What are the most interesting facts about football? Football was invented in Italy, Messi is the highest-paid athlete, and the fastest a player has been sent off is 0 seconds! Stay ahead with these facts and impress with your knowledge. This collection contains many football facts that will surprise you. Tell your friends new facts they don't know. Interesting Facts About Football Every football fan should know these facts. You can also surprise your children with what they don't know! When was football invented? Modern football originated from the Florentine game of Calcio Fiorentino, played in the 14th …
Real Sociedad returns to the midst of Europe's elite clubs in the UEFA Champions League…