OPINION
Manchester United are lacking in their right-back department at the moment, and fan favourite Antonio Valencia is not getting any younger at 32.
Valencia has been one of the Red Devils’ most trusted and reliable players since he joined them from Wigan in 2009, cementing himself as their first-choice right-back for consecutive seasons.
However, the Ecuadorean is getting older, and boss Mourinho needs to be looking at long-term replacements who can fill his boots.
Turkish Football has reported that Mourinho has recently registered an interest in signing Sporting CP right-back Cristiano Piccini alongside West Ham – but he must win the race to land the Italian for himself in order to replace Valencia.
United need a right-back who can surge forward like their current man can, who can be dangerous with their crosses and cause huge problems for the opponents’ defence.
While being an attacking threat, Mourinho also needs someone who can be reliable in the back four.
The fact Mourinho is eyeing up the 25-year-old implies that he thinks Piccini is more than capable of replicating those qualities, which reinforces just how much they need to win the race to sign him.
In order to prove victorious, United need to make their interest more concrete by enquiring about Piccini’s availability, rather than just saying that they are interested – otherwise it will not be long before other clubs come sniffing.
Not only does he possess the same qualities as veteran right-back Valencia, but he also has the essential experienced of playing in Europe that would be vital to a team like United.
Piccini would be lured by the prospect of Champions League football, and he would be more than keen to prove himself in the prestigious competition once again.
Now Manchester United must up the ante and show they are serious about bringing the Italian defender to Old Trafford, and win the race to sign him.