It has been nearly two years since Jose joined United and
pledged to bring the club back to pinnacle of European football in this modern
era, after the club’s struggle in form due to the failure of the managers post Sir
Alex’s retirement. In the current 2017/18 campaign, Mourinho’s men stand second
in the Premier League, in the FA Cup quarters and Champions League last 16. During
the course of the league campaign, United dropped crucial points due to a shaky
and inconsistent defence. It is fair to say that mistakes and quality in defence
has led to the team losing vital and easy points, which could have either kept
the club on the top, at the start of the season or reduce the gap between
Manchester City by a considerable and competitive margin. It is rather surprising
that United have one of the best defensive records in the league this season, in
spite of having such an inconsistent backline.
During the Fergie-Era, United had one of the best centre-back
pair in Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. Two tall, strong, agile, risk taking
and intelligent brutes, who would break blood and sweat to protect the United
goal. Both of them had the perfect chemistry and were telepathic, knowing what the
other was thinking about, these qualities made them an attacker’s nightmare and
personified Sir Alex’s famous quote, “Attack wins you games, defence wins you
titles.” Currently, United have Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo, Eric
Bailly and Victor Lindelof as centre backs. During the course of the season, Jose
hasn’t had a proper consistent centre back pair. Mainly because of the injuries
to them. Jones, at the start of the season was of the best in the league, until
he got injured once again following the new year, Rojo at the start of the
season and many countless after that. The club’s best defender Bailly, got
injured mid-season with Ivory Coast and has just started to play, by making few
cameo appearances from the bench, but hasn’t started a game post injury,
because, he hasn’t attained full fitness. That left the team with only Chris
Smalling and Victor Lindelof fit. It is obvious to say that this makeshift
partnership, hasn’t yielded any fruit yet, as Victor is still adjusting to the
Premier League and has just started getting his grove, on the other hand,
Smalling has rather been the problem child, with many clumsy mistakes leading
to goals and unwanted fouls, hence, jeopardizing the game-plan to a more cautious
and defensive approach, which clearly isn’t required.
As mentioned before, Bailly is the club’s best centre back
and is destined to become a club great. He is the perfect example of a modern-day
defender and is a are breed due to his astonishing stats and qualities. Tall,
strong, agile, intelligent and a high percentage of risking taking ability. Mourinho
wants to bank on the situation and strengthen his squad by providing Bailly
with a perfect long-term partner in order to regain titles. United lack experience
in defence along with the increasing amount of liabilities and injury prone players
in the squad. United need to find their next Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. They
already have once piece of the puzzle in Bailly. Recent reports suggest that,
United are targeting La Liga and France duo Rafael Varane and Samuel Umtiti. Both
these, players would definitely strengthen the current United squad with their
own respective traits. Let’s analyse which one would the perfect signing.
Rafael Varane
United have been linked with the Frenchmen for quite
sometime and it is no doubt that Mourinho is a staunch admirer of the player,
having signed him himself, from Lens during his time at Real Madrid and also
being a crucial factor in making him the player that he is today. At 24 years
of age and standing 6”2 Varane is one of the best centre backs in Europe and
has won all major honours at such a young age, having won 3 Champions Leagues,
2 La Liga’s, 1 Copa Del Rey and 3 Club World Cups with Madrid. He is an
important player for the club and Zidane, who highly rates him for his ability
and the latter also being of the same nationality as him, which is France. Varane
is a calm, strong and intelligent player, who is good in the air, physically strong
and tall. He is like a backbone and times his tackles really well. He generally
likes to clear the ball and likes to come in the way of shots and intercepts
passes. He has 14 successful tackles in the La Liga this season and has won 27
of his aerial duals this season, his strengths lie in his interceptions and clearances,
them being 26 and 83 respectively this season. His most important trait is that
he likes to hold on to his ground, which means that he likes to operate in the
penalty area and act as a backbone. He is not known to make forward runs in
spite of having decent pace. He is also not afraid to take risks during intense
situations, by crunching well timed tackles, something United are not perfect
at and definitely require a partner for Bailly who isn’t afraid of taking
risks. Real value him at 60 million and in this inflated market it is a
fantastic price for a young world-class defender. However, it will be really
difficult for United to get him as he is too valuable for Zidane and any offer
we make for him would result in Madrid asking for De Gea in exchange, given their
long-term affection for the United goalkeeper. United could land him by
matching the asking price, if they don’t want to involve De Gea and topping
that would be a lucrative contract and pay raise.
Samuel Umtiti.
United have been heavily linked with the Barcelona centre
back in the recent weeks. The 24-year-old Frenchman, who also stands 6”2, same
as Varane, would be the better signing for United on paper. His stats this season
are off the charts, having made 24 successful tackles, 32 aerial duals won,
which are better than Varane, stats show that the difference is 68:58% this
season. His trophy cabinet isn’t as glorious as Varane’s as he has won only 1
La Liga, 1 Copa Del Rey and 1 Club World Cup. His pace dribbling and agility,
is his most important trait as he loves to make forward runs and create chances
and counter attacks. He has made 901 forward passes this season. He is dynamic
in nature, which means he likes to take on players, using his physical powers to
the fullest. He is highly intelligent and times his tackles very well. He is left
footed, which would compliment working with Bailly more and is the much-needed
flat track bully and risk taker that United lack. Signing him won’t be much of
a hassle as he has a 54 million release clause and is willing to move away.
Barcelona don’t want any player in return. Given that Barcelona have signed Yerry
Mina, he would prove to be a competitor for Umtiti, should he stay.
Verdict.
Both the players are great and would definitely bolster the
United squad. Given Mourinho’s defensive approach, Varane would be the better
choice as he is more calm and positional. But his drawback is his availability
and the risk of losing De Gea. Umtiti, on the other hand, would be the preferred
option, as United are in need of a Dynamic player and a defender who is willing
to take risks. Umtiti would also improve United’s attacking build-up play due
to his forward runs and passes and dribbling ability, but that could also be
his drawback. United have been vulnerable in positioning and have given the opposition
many goals due to gaps in the back third and if Umtiti is out of position is
would lead to the defence being opened up and exposed. He would be easier to
get as he has a straight-up release clause at a reasonable price.
To conclude, Umtiti would be the ideal partner for Bailly,
mainly due to his dynamic and attacking approach.
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