Sport360° view: Time for Man Utd’s centre-backs to prove potential

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  • Many changes: Man Utd's team, especially their defence, for next season will be very different from the team that lined up against Bayern Munich last season.

    Manchester United fans need to be aware of the transition occuring at Old Trafford in all departments but, most importantly, in their defence. 

    New manager Louis van Gaal is keen to implement his own disciplines and procedures into a side that needs a colossal amount of alteration after finishing a disappointing seventh last season. 

    The team lacked goals, which is unusual for the Red Devils, but the main thing they missed was a solid, consistent centre-half pairing. 

    If they had anywhere near the calibre of partnerships they have had in Gary Pallister and Steve Bruce, United's season last year could have been a whole lot better.  

    Instead, they had an ageing Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic who had lost pace and looked surprisingly at odds with each other.

    Ferdinand made only 14 league appearances and contributed more to Twitter than to United, whereas Vidic signed for Inter Milan before the season had even ended. 

    However, it is reported that Van Gaal is keen on playing a 3-4-3 system this season so he needs three reliable, consistent centre-backs that will allow the likes of Luke Shaw, Antonio Valencia and Rafael Da Silva to bomb forward at every opportunity. 

    Here we look at the options at Van Gaal's disposal as well as those he may be keen to bring in to the club.

    Their current options:

    Chris Smalling

    Smalling looked like the ideal long-term replacement for Ferdinand. Smalling posseses the pace that Rio was renowned for and has showed remarkable calmness on the ball. Unfortunately he has constantly been used out of position and doesn't look particulary comfortable at full-back. It's a make-or-break season for the 24-year-old. 

    Phil Jones

    Jones has gladiator-esque passion that is similar to Nemanja Vidic but, like Smalling, he can't seem to perform consistently enough to cement his place at the heart of United's defence. Instead, he has been used for his versatility, fulfilling roles at full-back, centre-back and the centre of midfield. He and Smalling have to start improving if they are to have a long-term future at Old Trafford.

    Jonny Evans

    The 26-year-old has grown on Man United fans after looking out-of-place at Old Trafford earlier in his career. Remember, this is a defender that Alex Ferguson thought had the potential to be sensational and one of the reasons Ferguson was willing to sell Gerard Pique to Barcelona. His experience may be key this season.

    Two main targets:

    Mats Hummels

    World Cup winner Hummels would be an excellent acquisition for Manchester United. For a 25-year-old, he has a vast amount of experience and would provide a real aerial threat in both boxes. It seems unlikely that Jurgen Klopp will been keen on selling the German as they don't want to lose any more star players after both Robert Lewandowski and Mario Gotze joined Bayern Munich.

    Thomas Vermaelen

    Vermaelen had a torrid season for both club and country. He struggled with injury and a lack of form for Arsenal and then had to be substituted due to injury in his first appearance in the World Cup for Belgium. Despite his troubles, there's no doubting his class. He was made Arsenal captain when Robin Van Persie left and his leadership skills would be ideal for Man Utd.

    What should Van Gaal do?

    If the experienced Dutch manager fails to sign a centre back, his best option would be to put all his faith in his three defenders that all have a huge point to prove. This will allow him to utilise the wing back system that would suit new signing Shaw and the energetic Valencia perfectly. It might not all go to plan at the start, but that's all part of this transition that requires patience. 

    If United do manage to sign a defender, it looks like Smalling will be the most likely candidate to lose his place in a heavily-evolving side that needs to be challenging for silverware.


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