Despite copious rumours of a summer move to Old Trafford, Dani Alves has disappointed his Premier League suitors by signing a two-year contract extension at Barcelona – as reported by BBC Sport.
Manchester United, however, are still in desperate need of a right-back. Winger Antonio Valencia has done a sturdy job covering for the lacking in fitness and form Rafael this season, but a natural defender could vastly improve the Red Devils’ shape both with and without the ball.
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A three-time Champions League winner and an established Brazil international, Alves was probably the best option on the market – until yesterday afternoon, of course.
But fear not United fans, for we at This Is Futbol are here to help. Using our god-given powers of transfer know how, we’ve listed seven right-backs the Old Trafford outfit could turn to this summer.
Could one of these seven arrive at Carrington before the end of the summer transfer window?
Some good options on here man. The football fan inside me was a bit disappointed to see Alves not go to Man Utd, I reckon he’d have been perfect. The Chelsea fan in me was quite relieved. Then again he’s still good enough to play for Barca.
Trippier for £3.5m would be a really good deal. He has loads of potential, a good right foot, and is a decent set piece taker, and presumably wouldn’t be forced to cross from deep all the time under LvG like he was under Dyche (I seem to remember reading a stat that he gave the ball away last season more often than any other player), and would presumably have a better target to aim for than Ings (or Vokes).
van der Wiel would be the next Bosingwa (although has admittedly improved quite a lot).
Piszczek would be really good, would give them some much-needed experience at the back as well.
I’ve always liked Darmian whenever I’ve seen him play for Italy, but haven’t really seen a lot (any?) of him at club level.
The glory-bound Billy Jones has been forgotten as always though…
Alves would have been a total disaster as he cannot defend and never could but playing with the team he plays with there is little need to defend.He would be destroyed in Prem and I firmly believe it was his agent sending rumours as with most of the rag stories.