3 World Class center back options for Manchester United To sign

Last season Manchester United improved their points tally in the Premier League (81) and yet, Man City were just too far away (100). But Jose Mourinho's side was criticized about their style of football and the lack off attacking mentality.

Looking at where the mistakes happened, defense is more to blame than attack. Smalling & Jones were the most played center backs and they just weren't good enough.

Manchester United have a number of disappointing defeats out of which the UCL defeat to Sevilla hurt the most. No one expected that the Red's would lose on their home turf. Many more 1-1 draws in the EPL led to Manchester United not giving a healthy competition to the table toppers.

Jose has been asking the club to sign a new center back and we are going to look at three very good options that could help United transform their back four.

#3 Toby Alderweireld

Belgian international Toby Alderweireld has had an absolutely amazing World Cup. Working in the three-man defence system with Roberto Martinez, Alderweireld has been tough to beat in defense. His tackling and interception rate was great.

At the league level though, Tottenham Hotspurs's boss Maurico Pochettino doesn't favor playing Toby. He didn't play much last season and that's a reason he wants out.

Manchester United are looking to sign the Belgian but Tottenham are testing their resolve asking for a fee of £60 million. Toby has only one year left on his contract and he will be available for less than half the price next summer.

But the interesting thing is that Tottenham would like to sell him this summer as they get more money. So a deal for a fair price is definitely negotiable.

Alderweireld is one of the best defenders in the Premier League. And if he joins United, he surely will be the leader figure in defense that the 'Reds' need. Jose has been testing out the 3-5-2 formation and Toby has a great experience of playing in this form, which makes him a perfect signing.

#2 Harry Maguire

Harry Maguire is an another name who has not only had an impressive World Cup but a very good season with Leicester City as well. Looking at Maguire's abilities, two things stand out.

Firstly, he is a threat from set pieces. He wins more than 90% of headers and has scored many headed goals. Secondly, whenever he finds space, he tends to take the ball forward instead of passing it.

He makes some audacious runs from defense which certainly no one excels at Manchester United right now.

Although Harry Maguire has the age advantage over Alderweireld, he doesn't bring that leadership quality with him. Manchester United are being asked to pay a world record fee of £80 million which might just be too much for United, considering other options are available at a cheaper.

#1 Jerome Boateng

When it comes to experience, Jerome Boateng has no lack of it. The German defender did not have the best World Cup by any means, but that doesn't take away any his achievements & skill.

He has been doing it for years now with Bayern Munich and has also won a treble in the 2012-13 season. But let us look at the present scenario. With all the quality in the world, Boateng has been finding it tough to maintain his fitness levels in the last couple of years.

He gets injured very frequently. And considering the physicality of the Premier League, his injury problems are not something that Mourinho would want.

Boateng is 29 years old (same as Alderweireld), but available at a price of £50 million. Boateng has said a couple of times that he would welcome a new challenge, but Bayern are in no mood to let him go easily.

If Boateng ends up at United, it surely will be a quality signing. The only question is, will he be able to cope with the hectic and draining Premier League?

Agree with our list of center backs? Disagree? Let us know in the comments below!