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Manchester United need a quality centre-back desperately. This is no longer a question of maybe but that of who comes in and when.
When he retired in 2014, Sir Alex Ferguson had left behind a solid centre-back quartet that had almost everything. While Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand were the first choice central pairing, Phil Jones and Johnny Evans were a more-than-capable backup duo.
This same backline was less awesome the following season under David Moyes. The team conceded an unusually high number of goals in the 2013/2014 season. This was one of the reasons behind Moyes' eventual dismissal by the club's board.
The team has been floundering since then. Even Jose Mourinho's legendary skills in organizing a defence have been found wanting. Despite spending almost £61m on Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof in the two-and-a-half seasons he has been at Old Trafford, the position remains a big problem for the team.
With the team desperately battling to keep pace before the current top 5 disappear into the distance, a new defensive leader will be a priority in January.
Here is a look at 5 possible defenders that Mourinho and vice-chairman Ed Woodward might target in January:
#5 Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen)
It is surely time for the German international to take his leave and move on to one of Europe's leading clubs. The towering centre-back has been an ever-present in the Werkself team that has conceded an alarming 21 goals in just 10 Bundesliga games.
While his game seems to have been affected by the weak defensive structure around him, that should in no way detract from his considerable talent.
A towering centre-back at 6'4, Tah is an accomplished passer of the ball who isn't afraid of engaging in physical battles. For such a big and tall player, he is very good when in possession averaging an 85.9% passing success rate.
A coach like Mourinho will be able to help the 22-year-old iron out the kinks in his game. In return, Manchester United will be getting a player who is strong in the air and quick thinking on his feet. His excellent positioning coupled means that the Red Devils could become less susceptible to conceding from corners with him in the side.
It is unclear how much Tah who recently signed a new contract till 2021 will cost Manchester United but it might not exceed the £50m mark.
#4 Nathan Ake (Bournemouth)
A defender who is very much a new-school styled centre-back, Ake's journey from loan material at Chelsea to first-team regular for the Cherries has been a long one.
The Dutch international whose hair reminds one of former Oranje legend Ruud Gullit plays with a style reminiscent of his current manager at the Dutch national team; Ronald Koeman.
He has proven to be one of the better ball-playing centre-backs in the Premier League. He relies more on intelligence to make timely interceptions rather than brawn (basically the anti-Phil Jones)
He has been ever-present in the heart of Eddie Howe's defence since he joined for £20m two seasons ago. Alongside long-term captain Steve Cook, he has been at the heart of a very impressive season so far for the Cherries who currently sit in sixth on the table.
Given his Premier League-readiness and his style, he would be a great improvement over the clumsiness of Jones and Bailly. His poise and passing would add to the United rearguard a stylistic change similar to what Laporte has brought to their Manchester rivals.
With Pep Guardiola said to be eyeing the player to replace Vincent Kompany, Mourinho may have to hurriedly stump up the £50m it will require to get Ake to Old Trafford.
#3 Nikola Milenkovic (Fiorentina)
Another young defender who has been linked to the Red Devils, Milenkovic's stature is rapidly on the rise. One of the new breed of young Serbian talent (alongside players like Sergej Milinkovic-Savic), the 21-year-old has quietly developed into one of the finest young defenders in Serie A.
Standing at 1.95m, the Serbian international is an absolute unit who has been used by Viola manager Paulo Sousa primarily as a right back. He has been effective in this position but it is clear that he belongs in the centre of the defence.
Strong in the air and quick over short distances, his style will remind Red Devil fans of another Serbian defender; former captain Nemanja Vidic. Both men share similar traits like fearlessness and being powerful aerially.
However, Milenkoviv models his game more on another former United defender, Gerard Pique. He is good with the ball at his feet and playing as a right-back has helped him improve on his passing and distribution.
Mourinho has already gone to watch him in action this season. It seems that he is the number one target and may cost Manchester United up to £60m.
#2 Abdou Diallo (Borussia Dortmund)
A brilliant left-footed centre-back, the 22-year-old was one of the revelations last season in the Bundesliga. Such was his impressive displays that Borussia Dortmund rushed to sign him at the end of the 2017/2018 season for €28 million.
He is a tough competitor who is strong in the air and quite intelligent when it comes to making a challenge. His pace is reminiscent of fellow Frenchman Raphael Varane. Like most members of the new school of French centre-backs (Presnel Kimpembe, Aymeric Laporte), he is capable of functioning in different roles.
At "6'2", he uses his height and agility very well in helping BVB to snuff out aerial threats. A tough tackler who is also very good at passing, he has been central to the improved defensive performances under Lucien Favre this season.
Still uncapped for Les Bleus, it is certain that the Bundesliga leaders will not want to lose one of their defensive leaders with a first league title in 6 years looking a distinct possibility. It could cost the Red Devils upward of €70m
#1 Kalidou Koulibaly (SSC Napoli)
An absolute unit and undoubtedly one of the best centre-backs in world football currently, it is a testament to Napoli's stubbornness that the Senegal international is still at the San Paolo.
Dominant, composed, strong and an absolute monster in the air, the 26-year-old has been one of the best defenders in Serie A ever since he arrived on the Italian peninsula from Belgian club KRC Genk in a £6.5m deal in 2014.
He would bring a composure to the United backline that has been absent since the Ferdinand-Vidic era at Old Trafford. With someone of his ilk in the team, goalkeeper David De Gea who has been overworked in recent seasons will finally have a reliable presence in front of him.
For a defender who is as big as he is, Koulibaly is an accomplished passer of the ball (thanks to his development under Maurizio Sarri). A veritable leader, he will bring presence and leadership to a United defence that has looked rudderless so far.
Lots of clubs have tried to take him off Napoli's hands. However, club president Aurelio De Laurentiis has stuck to his guns and has refused to do business. The 27-year-old recently signed a contract extension till 2023. It could cost upwards of £100m to get his signature.
