According to a recent report by The Times (subscription required), Manchester United have identified Villarreal defender Pau Torres as one of their summer targets. The same source has also mentioned that the Red Devils manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is specifically looking for a left-footed centre-half, who can partner Harry Maguire at the back, and has set his sights on the Spanish talent this summer.
Torres’ Solid Season In The Spanish Top-Flight
The 23-year-old has enjoyed an impressive season at the Estadio de la Cerámica after putting in a series of commanding displays at the heart of the Villarreal defence. He featured in 36 matches for the Yellow Submarine last season, registering two goals and two assists in all competitions which showcases his knack to get involved in the final third.
The Spanish defensive ace did well to average 1.0 tackles, 0.8 interceptions, 0.7 blocks and 4.4 clearances per game in La Liga last season. He has also been neat with his ball-distribution based on his pass completion rate of 85.4% in league football (stats via whoscored).
Torres has also earned one senior cap for the Spanish national team, scoring one goal for his country in the process. If the Villarreal star can maintain his high standards in the upcoming campaign, then he will have a decent shot of being named in Spain boss Luis Enrique’s squad for next year’s UEFA European Championship finals.
What Will The Spanish Centre-Half Add To Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Side?
Torres is a moderately-paced defender who is not afraid to work his socks off for the benefit of his side. He can sense the danger quickly that allows him to pull off some crucial last-gasp clearances at the back. The Spaniard is also a good tackler inside his half and is usually very tidy with his passing. At 23, he is at the right age to take his overall game to the next level, which Man United could look to benefit from in the coming seasons.
Is Torres The Right Fit For The Red Devils?
Torres will not only add more bite and steel to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s defence but also improve the overall depth of his squad. Plus, he will increase competition for the likes of Phil Jones, Axel Tuanzebe, Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof in the race to play alongside Maguire at the heart of the Red Devils defence next season.
Standing at 1.91m tall, Torres can also be a dominant presence at both ends of the field. He ticks all the right boxes in terms of what Solskjaer expects from his defenders. Therefore, the Spaniard seems like a great fit for Man United as he will help them compete for some major silverware in the years to come.
