There’s been a fair amount of consternation regarding Manchester United’s defense this season. The club as a whole has been under-performing, and United’s aging, tired defense are certainly part of the problem.
There’s little doubt that Rio Ferdinand is still a top defender. What’s more, on his day Nemanja Vidic is still a true force of nature and one of the best defenders in the world.
But both individuals have their own sets of problems. Ferdinand is now 34-years-old and has played approximately 680 games throughout his professional career. All this exertion is beginning to weigh Ferdinand down. His pace has dropped over the last season, he’s often slow to react and he’s just not as effective as he used to be.
Vidic is younger (he’s 31-years-old), but has struggled throughout the last couple of seasons with major injury problems. In the two seasons prior to this one, he made just 33 appearances.
His convalescence seems to be over now, but he’s yet to re-find his pre-injury form. Hopefully this will happen, but there’s a chance that he’ll never truly get back to his best.
As such, Manchester United should be considering bringing in another centre-back during the next transfer window. I’m surprised that Moyes didn’t go after a defender during the summer transfer window (I’m also surprised that he didn’t bring in a creative midfielder).
Why, for instance, did David Moyes not make a move for Benfica defender Ezequiel Garay? According the Argentinian defender, a move to Old Trafford was on the cards, until Moyes pulled the plug:
“I believed I was going to join Manchester United in the summer. The deal was nearly closed but finally Benfica did not accept the offer. I believe the exit of Ferguson has influenced the deal. Moyes did not believe in me as much but that’s not a problem.
I am happy at Benfica and have a lot of dreams and ambitions for this season. Now I only think about the present which is Benfica but it’s never possible to discard anything in the future.” (Source: The Mirror)
This strikes me as a missed opportunity for the club.
Whilst £18m is a lot of money to spend on a defender, there’s little doubt that Ezequiel would have significantly improved this United side.
He’s quick along the ground, strong in the air and he distributes well from the back. At 27-years-old he’s also experienced and would have had much to offer this Manchester United side.
If he was good enough for Sir Alex Ferguson, you have to wonder why he wasn’t good enough for David Moyes.
Unfortunately, this will end up being yet another bizarre transfer story associated with David Moyes. Lets hope he takes more effective action during the January transfer window.
What’s your take? Will Manchester United regret not signing Ezequiel Garay?
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It’s clear Moyes got no eye for talent lets not forget he paid 28 mil for fellaini no manager in their right mind would pay that much for that player Zaha Kagawa we have all seen that both these guys are world class talent yet Moyes says they are not good enough but Nani Young Welbeck all get the nod troubling thoughts for all of us united fans