Much of Jose Mourinho’s faltering run as Manchester United boss is because of the inconsistent back line and the Portuguese is looking to make amends for it when the transfer window opens in January.
According to The Guardian, United have identified Southampton enforcer Virgil van Dijk as the solution to their defensive woes and has also put forward a £30 million offer for the Netherlands international.
The Dutch stopper has been one of the most consistent players in the Premier League since the start of the last season after his move to the south of the border from Scottish champions Celtic. He looks to be the ideal solution for United at the moment.
Van Dijk showed exactly why he is in such a huge demand in Southampton’s last match against Liverpool which ended in a draw. There were times when he completely shut out Firmino and Sadio Mane reducing their threat to a mere half-hearted attempt.
At 193 cm, Virgil Van Dijk is tremendously good in the air. He reads the game brilliantly, which makes his interception skill supreme. He has made 26 interceptions, 83 clearances, and seven blocks, as per Squawka. He also possesses a brilliant recovery pace in case he is found out of position and that’ll be helpful if he moves to United.
United are already without Eric Bailly who is out with an injury. Chris Smalling is yet to return. And the rest of the defence looks quite disoriented. Despite Manchester United’s brilliant performance against Arsenal throughout the match, the Red Devils had to share the spoils with the Gunners when an unmarked Olivier Giroud headed home the ball in the 89th minute.
Arsenal had one shot at goal throughout the game and it was at the back of the net. United’s team had clearly lost their focus. It pretty much summed up United’s bleak defensive performances this season, whether be it against Fenerbahce or against Watford.
Southampton have been a feeder club to the bigger budget teams in the Premier League and that is likely to continue in the coming windows. And United will anyway have to compete with the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham to land the Dutch defensive maestro. Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp is also an admirer of the player.
With United’s defence quite weak at the moment, Van Dijk will surely break into the first team. And pairing with Eric Bailly would be a great move. As the Ivory Coast international is mostly dependent on brute strength, a good game-reader will balance the back line greatly.
