Manchester United’s search of a centre-back seems to be frustrating Jose Mourinho more and more by the day. The Portuguese technician is convinced that his side needs a new defender going into the next season and has been linked with a number of exciting names from all around Europe.
The likes of Toby Alderweireld, Clement Lenglet and Jerome Boateng have all been linked with a move to Old Trafford recently but one name that seems to have impressed Mourinho is Milan Skriniar.
A mainstay in the first team for Inter Milan, since his move to the club last summer, Skriniar made a name for himself in his time with Zilina. He moved to Italy for the first time with Sampdoria and spent just a year at the club before moving to Milan.
He made an immediate impact at San Siro, making 44 appearances for the club in all competitions. He scored four league goals and showed great consistency at the back, and was also named in the UEFA U21 Championship Team of the Year last year.
At just 23, he played every Serie A game in the last two seasons and has only improved by the game, showing great promise for his future. He also has 18 appearances for the Slovakian national side and is an established star at the highest level already.
He is known for his composed approach to defending, hardly fazed by the big occasion. He got the better of the best strikers in Serie A and showed no signs of complacency all throughout the season. He helped the club to Champions League football next season and is certainly ready to take the next step.
Skriniar’s biggest asset is his ability to keep it simple at the back but he is more than capable of adding to build up play, making him an all-round defender.
He is not as established as the other names on United’s wish list but is an upgrade on the likes of Chris Smalling, who has failed to impress Mourinho and Phil Jones, whose injury history often frustrated the Red Devils. He may also be above Victor Lindelof in the pecking order next season and can establish a dynamic CB partnership with Eric Bailly, who seems to be the first choice next season.
Reports suggest that United’s £57m bid for Skriniar was instantly rejected by Inter Milan, who maintain that he is not for sale. But his potential justifies the price tag and is a player United should definitely look to sign this summer.
