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It's no secret that Manchester United will strengthen their squad in the upcoming transfer window. One position that they’ll obviously look to bolster is the central defence.
The board, the fans and even the management will want someone with a level head, experience and who has the stature. As such, the names that are being mooted all over are Kalidou Koulibaly and Toby Alderwireld. Those two are some of the finest central defenders in the world today and a team like Manchester United will be lucky to have them in their ranks.
But as much as the management want to recruit someone that will just walk into the side and fit seamlessly as Virgil Van Dijk has done at Liverpool, they should consider that there are some other young options that are also great.
With seniors, you don’t get a resale value for them and they’ll probably give the team a few years of service unlike with the younger options. As such as the central defence requires a level of experience that comes only with age, these young defenders on this list have what it takes to make a mark at United.
Here are some of the young central defenders that Manchester United should definitely have a look at when they’re in the market this summer.
#4. Nikola Milenković
Young Fiorentina defender Milenković is one of the best upcoming central defenders in world football today. He’s quick, hard on the tackle and can organize the backline.
Manchester United is in dire need of a central defender that can take up the organizational job and make the team function defensively.
Of course, those will be huge responsibilities laid on the shoulders of a young man, but he can manage. The Serbian defender plays with the experience of an old man and that’s why he has been labelled the next Vidic.
#3. Dan-Axel Zagadou
A relatively unknown Dan-Axel Zagadou also makes it on this list. The young French defender who currently plays in the Bundesliga for Borussia Dortmund is one impressive defender that Manchester United should look at to bolster their squad.
He’s versatile as he can fill in at left back, comfortable on the ball at his feet and defends meanly. With those attributes, he will certainly be a worthy addition to the United side.
Though he’s still young and prone to silly errors, he still has time to polish that with the guidance of Ole Gunnar. If he can hit his prime with the way he’s been playing and cut down on youthful exuberance, he can be a great asset for Manchester United and give them value for their money. He too, like many on this list will provide United with a great resale value if he can go on and reach his potential.
#2. Matthijs de Ligt
There’s one player that has been on the lips of Manchester United fans for some time now and that is Matthijs de Ligt. The young Ajax captain is creating shockwaves across Europe with his impressive playing style, defensive attributes and leadership qualities.
Still just 19 years old, the young defender has established himself as one of the most reliable players for Ajax. And despite being a teenager, he’s also club captain. That goes to show how much faith his manager has on him. That’s why all the top teams Manchester United included have been linked with a bid for him.
Despite being a teenager, the defender can come into this United side and dislodge all current central defenders with ease. If United can sign him, he will no doubt give them a number of years of service and still provide them with a good resale value.
Though not on Van Dijk’s level, Matthijs de Ligt will get there in just a matter of years and United will want to have him among their ranks by then. Of all the central defenders in this list, he’ll probably be the most expensive option, that’s how impressive the young man is.
#1. Axel Tuanzebe
If they don’t want to slash huge chunks of money on a defender, they already have an option waiting in the wings. His name is Axel Tuanzebe, currently on loan at Championship side Aston Villa where he has performed commendably for them.
He understands the club inside out having played for Manchester United since his tender years. He has obvious potential like any other player on this list and having captained United through all group stages of his career; his leadership qualities are well highlighted.
At Aston Villa, he’s been one of their top performers and may well find it easy to settle in the Premier League. He certainly wouldn’t be any worse than the current options at Manchester United was they to give him a chance.
With Ole already looking like a manager that can easily put enormous faith on young players, Tuanzebe may well feel he has a chance of finally breaking into the Manchester United starting eleven.
