The 2014-15 season has been mission accomplished for Manchester United, with the first step of the historic club’s rebuilding process complete after qualification for next term’s Champions League.
Ahead of the new campaign, Louis van Gaal will look to strengthen his contingent, with a title push the next objective for the Old Trafford outfit.
Although there will be likely reinforcements in attack and at right-back, the centre of the team’s defence appears to be an area in need of a revamp.
All the successful United teams of the last generations have been built around strong defensive leaders, with the likes of Steve Bruce, Paul McGrath, Jaap Stam, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic just a handful of the top-drawer centre-halves to wear the red of United.
When looking at the current options, it appears that Chris Smalling is the best of a mediocre bunch, with room for Phil Jones to improve. Of the potential new faces, the two names most commonly mentioned are Nicolas Otamendi and Mats Hummels.
[ffc-gal cat=”manchester-united” no=”5″]
Although both are of international quality and would be a significant set-up from the current options, a move for the Argentine makes more sense. Hummels is one of the world’s best in his position, but a number of factors signify that United would be better placed in spending their money on Otamendi.
Despite the Borussia Dortmund man’s considerable ability, he is renowned for his ball-playing and as such is similar to Ferdinand from United’s most recent successful defensive pairing.
However, for United to get back amongst English football’s best, a player in Vidic’s ilk is needed. The Serbian was the club’s enforcer for so long, with the now Inter centre-half doing the dirty work, being the hard man and taking no nonsense from opposition attackers.
Although Hummels is a terrific defender and footballer, Otamendi has more of a physical presence than the German and is not afraid of rolling his sleeves up in the trenches. The Argentine comes from a school of hard knocks and has shown this season at Valencia that he can be a real leader of men through his will-to-win and decisive actions.
The presence of Otamendi in the United back four would give the team a defensive talisman and stalwart, which has been sorely missed over the last couple of seasons.
Hummels looks likely to continue his love affair with current employers Dortmund, with the German very reluctant to leave the Bundesliga side – even after the poor season the Signal Iduna Park outfit have just endured.
Otamendi on the other hand is seemingly pushing for a Mestalla exit, regardless of the Spaniards qualifying for the Champions League, as he sees a chance to play for one of Europe’s biggest teams. The South American looks like an ideal candidate to fill United’s defensive void; abrasive, inspiring and available.
As such United should move quick before another major club steals him from under their noses.
[ad_pod id=’ffc-video’ align=’center’]
[n5lbanner type=”london”]
[interaction id=“none”]
