Ever since Nemanja Vidic announced his departure from the club and Rio Ferdinand wasn’t offered a new contract, reports of Manchester United needing a centre back has been circulating like wild fire. Once both those players left, reports have only increased. And the words “Manchester United need a new centre back” has probably become the most-overused word this summer. Every half-decent centre back who is plying his trade in the continent has been linked with the Red Devils, but there have been a few who have appeared quite prominently.
Mats Hummels of Borussia Dortmund and Thomas Vermaelen of Arsenal have been linked with the club throughout the summer and it looks likely that at least one of them will be required as the club prepare to start the season with three at the back, with just three senior centre backs. Unfortunately for United, that will not be de Vrij as he only just moved to Lazio.
The World Cup winning Hummels is 25, arguably one of the best centre backs in Europe at the moment and would stroll into any top European side. Although Dortmund have already signed Mathias Ginter as a replacement for the German, they wouldn’t want to let go of their World Cup winner quite so easily and would demand a fee well in excess of the £16m that is being quoted by the papers.
Thomas Vermaelen on the other hand is coming on the back of a injury-hit season in which he lost his first-team spot and is looking at a move away from the Gunners. The club too aren’t too keen on keeping him against his will and thus will be more than happy to let him go once they sign a replacement for him.
Another option for the Red Devils would be another Belgian in Jan Vertonghen. The Spurs defender is reportedly keen on a move away from North London and is in search of Champions League football. Although United can’t promise him that right away, the presence of a big-name manager and the opportunity to play with some world class players might just enough to lure him to Old Trafford.
Although all three would represent a great addition to Manchester United, their change of style from an orthodox four-man defence to a three centre back system means that they will need players who can quickly adapt to that. The club’s current centre backs are all right-footed, which means that none of them are suited to play as the left-sided centre back. Both Smalling and Jones can play as the right-sided centre back, with Evans likely to play in the middle. All of which means that the club are in desperate need of a left-footed centre back, who can take his place on the left side of the three centre backs.
Both Vermaelen and Vertonghen are left-footed, proven Premier League players and are both very good going forward. Although Vermaelen has reportedly already agreed personal terms with the Red Devils, Vertonghen might need some convincing as he has already rubbished claims of a move linking him to Barcelona. Both players are in their prime and Vertonghen’s versatility also means that he can provide cover for Luke Shaw as the left wing-back.
While there is no doubt that Mats Hummels is the best centre back among the three, the formation the club are likely to employ at the moment, means that the other two are better fits. While the addition of a top quality centre half isn’t going to hurt their chances at all, seeing as the club need a left-footed centre half, both Vermaelen and Vertonghen represent a better fit.
However, if the club do manage to get their hands on Hummels and Vermaelen, they would certainly have a back three, that will have the perfect mix of youth and experience with Jones playing as the right sided centre back, Vermaelen on the left and Hummels in the middle stopping opposing attacks and orchestrating his own.