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Manchester United endured a mixed season in their last campaign. Despite finishing third in the league, defensive errors in cup competitions cost them dearly.
A record £80m fee was splashed on Harry Maguire to partner Victor Lindelof, and it has not had the desired impact. Maguire lacks pace and Lindelof has struggled physically and aerially.
A sustained title challenge without a top-class defence is impossible. The impact of signings Virgil Van Dijk and Aymeric Laporte for Liverpool and Manchester City respectively was clear.
The two players transformed their sides immediately and were key to their teams' league performances. If Manchester United wants to realistically have a shot at the league next season, a dominant, top-class central defender will be absolutely essential. As Sir Alex Ferguson once famously said, "Attack wins you games, defense wins you titles."
Manchester United manager Solskjaer is keen on a left-footed central defender who will complement Harry Maguire and help the Red Devils build from the back.
Here are four players that the club could be in for in this window:
#4 Benoit Badiashile
The 19-year-old has developed into an exciting prospect for AS Monaco and was key to helping the team to a top 10 finish after a disastrous 2018/19 campaign.
At 6.4" the Frenchman excels in the air, winning an average of 3.6 aerial duels per game. Fairly comfortable on the ball as well, Badiashile has a decent long pass accuracy of over 51%.
The teenager is one of the players on this list most likely to make a move and is set to be the subject of a bidding war, with Manchester United and Bayern Munich both said to be interested.
The Monaco man is still fairly inexperienced and raw and would not make an instant impact. In the long run, however, he could be the solution to the Red Devils' defensive woes.
#3 Jack O' Connell
The only Premier League player on the list, O' Connell is well versed with the physicality of the English game. The Englishman was linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspurs in January but the move failed to materialize.
A towering, physical presence, O' Connell was key to Sheffield United's excellent run. The 26-year-old won 135 aerial duels with a success rate of 67%. This is in stark contrast to Victor Lindelof who regularly struggles against physical opponents. O' Connell is a well-rounded defender who would slot in seamlessly in the Manchester United squad.
#2 Pau Torres
Another young center back, Pau Torres has enjoyed a breakthrough season at Villarreal. Despite being a center back, Torres is equally effective at the other end of the pitch. Creating 11 chances for his teammates, he completed 1724 passes, bettered only by defenders Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos and Clement Lenglet.
The central defender is surprisingly quick too. La Razon data shows him clocking almost 35km/hr, which is incredible for a central defender!
The Spaniard is not without his weaknesses though. Though well over six feet, he is poor in the air, winning just 47% of his aerial duels. The 23-year-old, however, remains one of the best left-footed defenders in the market and was recently voted by Villarreal's fans into the club's best-ever XI. This is an impressive feat for a player who has played just one full season at the club!
Torres is believed to have a release clause of around £45m and has already drawn strong interest from Barcelona. Manchester United will have to move quickly to get their man.
#1 Alessio Romagnoli
Of late, United have struggled with a lack of leadership. A club that used to be led by the likes of Roy Keane and Nemanja Vidic now finds itself toothless. Alessio Romagnoli who has served as AC Milan captain over the past few seasons could be the answer to the English club's leadership crisis.
Having played almost 200 games for the Rossoneri, the 25-year-old is highly experienced and has his best years ahead of him.
A complete Italian defender, he averaged a passing accuracy of over 90%. With an average of 2.3 aerial duels per game, the Milan defender is dominant in the air and does not back down.
Signing Romagnoli could make the club a force to reckon with in the upcoming season.
