One of the first issues that Louis Van Gaal will have to solve during his time as Manchester United boss involves the club’s defense. In fact, his answer to this problem could come to define his time as manager of The Red Devils.
It’s not like Manchester United were great defensively last season. They leaked needless goals against smaller teams and often looked nervy against top competition. Their inability to compete with clubs at the top of the Premier League table was telling. This is something that will need to be fixed if United are to get back to their best once again.
But the exit of both Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic certainly won’t help. The Red Devils are now losing their two most experience defenders. That’s going to leave a massive void and it’s difficult to see how Louis Van Gaal will fill it.
Luckily, Manchester United keep getting linked to some top options. The Mirror claim that Van Gaal’s given up on his pursuit of PSG’s Marquinhos in order to target Borussia Dortmund centre-back, Mats Hummels.
This priority switch looks like an intelligent move. After all, Hummels is a considerably more experienced option than Marquinhos. What’s more I’d argue that he’s probably a better defender, everything considered.
Hummels has 31 caps for the Germany international side and has made 227 appearances for Dortmund. He’s very highly regarded in the Bundesliga and has the physique and mentality to slip easily into a Premier League first team.
The player himself has indicated that he’s open to a move at some stage in his career. Check out these comments: “I never think about that or talk about it because it is something that isn’t important for me right now. Maybe it will be some day, but I don’t expect it to be like that this summer.”
He’s made his position clear, but The Red Devils wont want to wait for next summer to get their man. Maybe if they put together a big enough wage packet, he’ll change his mind. Maybe if Manchester United put Borussia Dortmund in a position where they want to sell (by offering a huge transfer fee), he’ll change his tone.
Let’s hope so too.
What’s your take? Should The Red Devils shift their focus to Mats Hummels?
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