Mehdi Benatia
If Manchester United are on the lookout for an experienced centre back, who is good in the air and on the ground, can score crucial goals and make telling contributions in defence, then Roma’s Mehdi Benatia is their man. Standing at 6’3, the 27-year-old Moroccan is taller than most of the other defenders the club have been linked and will bring a considerable aerial threat in both boxes.
An integral part of the Roma defence, which was water-tight last season, Benatia is a composed campaigner, who relies on his super-human levels of concentration and his awareness of what’s around him more than he relies on pace. Not only is he adept at stopping attacks, he was one of Roma’s key players, when it came to starting attacks. Last season, he completed more passes than anyone else in the Roma defence. If there is one criticism of him, it is his pace, however, playing as the central of the three centre backs, that is unlikely to be a problem for Benatia and United.
With Roma unlikely to sell, it will take an offer in the region of around £30m to convince them to sell their prized asset. With money unlikely to be a problem, the Red Devils should simply close their and sign this experienced Moroccan centre-back.