Why Jose Mourinho must bring this 29-year-old experienced head to Manchester United this summer

According to a report by The Sun, Manchester United have been offered a golden opportunity to sign Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng this summer.

The German has previously played in the Premier League with United’s local rivals Manchester City, but he failed to make his mark at the Etihad Stadium. But his exploits with the German national team and Bayern paint a different picture.

The Sun claims that the Bundesliga giants are open to letting him join United in the ongoing summer transfer window. The 29-year-old is an exceptional player and is well-known for his rock-solid displays at the heart of the defence. He can be a tad aggressive at times but his physicality will be a welcome change at Old Trafford.

Blessed with some incredible tackling and intercepting skills, it goes without saying that Boateng would be an excellent addition for United.

Over the course of the last season, the Red Devils were mostly solid at the back but that was due to Mourinho’s overtly defensive tactics. They were accused of playing boring football, which they actually did.

And while their performances were not aesthetically pleasing, it did the job. Furthermore, David De Gea’s presence between the sticks once saved their skins on numerous occasions last term. But going forward, United cannot rely on playing boring football and De Gea alone.

They need an explosive centre-back – someone who would be a massive upgrade when compared to the likes of Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof. To be fair, Jones put in some decent displays last term but his tendency to pick up injuries often derails his momentum.

Smalling is quite inconsistent with his contributions, whereas Bailly and Lindelof have a lot to prove. In such a situation, a player such as Boateng would not only strengthen the club’s defence to a great extent but also bring in some semblance of leadership at the back.

Thus, Mourinho must make the most of this opportunity and sign Boateng. His first spell in the Premier League with Manchester City might not have yielded positive results but one look at his form with Bayern is enough to deduce the level of his influence.

And United are in dire need of a proven game-changer like Boateng. With his experience and skills, the Red Devils would go a step closer to mounting a serious title challenge next season.