United’s flaw was for everyone to see during the match against Newcastle. Not Alexis Sanchez, not a team that seems to always have two of their leading players out of action due to injuries. Long passes from the midfield into the penalty box, which were then converted by players who had no one marking them.[spacer height=”30px”]
A quick pan to the United corner and you can see a frustrated Mourinho who cannot believe a goal was scored from such a ridiculously bad position. The problem was compounded by a lack of teeth in the attack. United desperately needs to overhaul their defense and this was hugely evident even during the first half of the Manchester Derby where along with conceding two cheap goals, United could easily have shipped in 6 goals if not for De Gea or City’s misfiring forwards.[spacer height=”30px”]
The back line of Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Marcus Rojo were supposed to be, on paper at least astounding to say the least, stop anything that comes their way, feed it back into the wings. Allowing them to spread their wings, leads to giving Pogba the room he needs to craft his magic.[spacer height=”30px”]
But, what happens more often than naught, that the back-line buckles. Pogba, Martial, Valencia, have to play a defensive game to offset this push from the opposition, leading to an attack where it’s usually only two or three United players against the entire defensive line of the opposition. Something which was rectified magnificently during the second half of the derby.[spacer height=”30px”]
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There has been news circulating that the Mourinho is looking to strengthen the back line of United and the one who has caught his attention is the present center back for Barcelona – Samuel Umtiti, who has expressed interest in signing with the Red Devils, however, this might just be a tactic to increase his salary. Trump up enough interest from rival teams and the Catalan’s might increas Umtiti’s wage package, it is a ploy that has worked in the recent past with Ozil and Ramos.[spacer height=”30px”]
https://twitter.com/StretfordReport/status/983313581209894925
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However United could look much closer home to bolster their defense instead of being lured by the Spanish media or the player himself. Tottenham center defender Toby Alderweireld, is not only cheaper than Samuel Umtiti, his signing to United can be used to weaken a potential Premiership title run by the Spurs.[spacer height=”30px”]
By signing a player already suited to the English League and by weakening a potential title challenger, United have a much better scenario to achieve by pursing the Belgium International rather than Umtiti. Toby Alderwield has also reached something of a crossroads in his Tottenham Hotspur career with his contract set to expire at the end of next season.[spacer height=”30px”]
The skyrocketing bill for the refitting of White Hart Lane has gone over and above the 400 million pound estimate reaching close to a billion dollars. If Toby Alderweireld even once expresses interest in moving to United, then the best thing for Tottenham would be to sell him and that too for quite the lump-sum amount that United will surely be willing to offer for a player currently refusing to sign a contract extension with the club.[spacer height=”30px”]
According to the Manchester Evening News, Mourinho is looking to sign Spurs trio Dier, Rose and Alderwield. The players are playing around 100k per week wages and United are looking to take advantage of that, after the departure of Zlatan whose wages took up the majority. #ManUtd pic.twitter.com/LmG6hqaKnz
— 𝕳 (@SW_MUN_Time_H) April 4, 2018
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Then there is Raphael Varane, who was signed to Real Madrid by Jose Mourinho, who is a boyhood fan of the Red-Devils was almost signed to play alongside his hero – Rio Ferdinand, however United signed Phil Jones and Real Madrid cinched Varane. With him remaining unsure of his long term future, and being aware of contacts made and the interest in signing him by Jose Mourinho, it’s plausible that United might be able to pull one over the eyes of Real Madrid given the reports that United are already preparing a £40million offer to sign the Frenchman to Partner Eric Bailey from the next season onwards.[spacer height=”30px”]
Man Utd ready £50m offer for Real Madrid defender Varane
Manchester United have organised their bid for Real Ma… pic.twitter.com/BnaPndQqy6— BokuSport (@bokusports) March 23, 2018
With players like Raphael Varane or Toby Alderwield to choose from to pursue, United would surely be better off by trying to sign either of these two who have a much better chance of coming to Old Trafford next season than the Barcelona Center Back Samuel Umtiti.[spacer height=”30px”]
What the boss decides will determine how the rest of the summer signings will play out. Will we finally see a back line that can allow the wingers fluidity that can provide a constant stream to the box, only time will tell.
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