Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted that his side could be better at the back, with a move for a new defender a priority in the upcoming window
With the end of the season fast approaching, planning has begun at Manchester United for the next campaign and how Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can take his team from title challengers to real contenders.
Manchester City look set to run away with the 2020-21 Premier League trophy but United’s results – and some of their performances – this season have shown that perhaps with a couple of tweaks they could have what it takes to properly push for top spot.
There are arguments for strengthening in a number of positions but, with Covid-19 affecting finances, the club will unlikely be able to fund every single one of their targets.
One of the main priorities is a centre-back. Victor Lindelof has come under fire for his performances in recent weeks and there is not enough depth in the position.
Solskjaer admitted ahead of his side’s clash against Chelsea this weekend that he wants to see defensive improvements from the whole team.
“We know we have scored a lot of goals and of course we need to be a better team defensively,” Solskjaer said. “We have conceded too many goals so we need to improve on that and winning tighter games.”
It is understood, therefore, that United are in the market for a central defender this summer. Here, Goal analyses the names they’ve looked at in the past, a wild card and a few candidates for the future to potentially solve their defensive dilemmas.
Also considered are a couple of in-house solutions should United fail to get the deal done.
Getty ImagesJules Kounde – Sevilla
Kounde is one of the hottest defensive prospects in Europe and it’s hardly surprising United are interested in the 22-year-old.
Manchester City tried to land him last summer but ended getting up Ruben Dias instead after being put off by the price set by Sevilla. Afterwards, sporting director Monchi admitted that their price may have been inflated.
It will be interesting to see what kind of bid might prove to be acceptable this summer. A compromise would have to be reached as United would not be willing to pay over the odds, especially in the current climate.
Although Solskjaer is after a left-footed centre-back and Kounde is right-footed, he is comfortable on the left side and also fits the profile as a young, exciting player – the kind of player that the United boss wants to fill his side with.
Another positive is that he is able to play right-back. United have been looking at right-backs to provide competition for Aaron Wan-Bissaka. If budgets become a problem and decisions have to be made over which positions to prioritise that could prove to be a benefit.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesDavid Carmo – Braga
Portuguese defender Carmo is another who fits the profile as the kind of player Solskjaer is keen to have in his squad.
The 21-year-old centre-back, who has already been likened to Virgil van Dijk, also fits the bill in terms of being left-footed. He would compliment the right-footed centre-backs Solskjaer already has at his disposal.
Real Madrid are also believed to be keeping an eye on the Braga stopper, while he was briefly linked with Liverpool in the January window.
Carmo is currently recovering from a bad ankle injury suffered two weeks ago which saw him leave the pitch in an ambulance.
Nevertheless, he remains on Solskjaer’s watchlist.
Getty ImagesIbrahima Konate – RB Leipzig
Young Frenchman Ibrahima Konate is another hot prospect when it comes to centre-backs in Europe.
The RB Leipzig defender has been linked with the majority of the big Premier League clubs and has been monitored by United.
The 21-year-old has developed a good relationship with compatriot Dayot Upamecano and their success in Julian Nagelsmann's backline has led to interest from a variety of clubs.
With Upamecano already agreeing to join Bayern Munich in the summer, it is hard to see Leipzig letting the other key man in their defence leave in the same window.
The fact that Konate has attracted attention from a number of clubs is even more striking given that he has missed a large chunk of this season through injury and has only started four times in the Bundesliga.
Getty ImagesRaphael Varane – Real Madrid
Compared to the other, younger candidates, Raphael Varane is heading towards the veteran category at 27 years old. That would not be seen as a negative though with Solskjaer having such a young dressing room.
The United boss has regularly spoken about the experience of older players helping to mould the younger generations and Varane has had plenty of experience at Real Madrid and also in winning the World Cup with France.
A proven winner, he’s out of contract in the summer of 2022 and has yet to agree an extension which could see him move on in the next window.
The United hierarchy are believed to be admirers and his key attributes would compliment captain Harry Maguire at the back.
