After four frustrating years in the post-Ferguson era, Manchester United are off to an exciting start this season. A busy summer saw the Red Devils cash out in excess of £150m and it appears that the spending has paid its dividends with Manchester United currently sitting in the second position in the league.
Mourinho’s men have fallen off their wagons slightly after their exit from the Carabao Cup and the league title now looking well headed towards Etihad. However, with the addition of Alexis Sanchez, the Red Devils are well on their way to build a team that is lethal in attack. The problem still lies in the backline with David De Gea bailing out United on multiple occasions.
It is now being reported that Mourinho is looking to add further depth and strength to his squad and French central defender Samuel Umtiti has become a target for Manchester United.
Mourinho was desperate for a centre-back signing in the summer but the arrival of Victor Lindelof from Benfica appeased the Portuguese for the time being. However, with Lindelof unable to hit the ground running, Barcelona’s French defender may become a priority signing.
Currently, the Red Devils have Eric Bailly, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo who can play in the centre back position. It will be interesting to see Mourinho adjust another centre back into the side. United also have makeshift cover at the middle of the park in the form of Daley Blind and Nemanja Matic as well.
Umtiti’s arrival would see him walk straight into the starting line-up and that would mean either Jones or Smalling losing their place as Bailly is expected to be the other centre-half in Mourinho’s backline.
The Barcelona man is full of potential and is now a regular starter for the Catalan side after replacing the ageing Javier Mascherano at Nou Camp. Umtiti was brought in from French side Lyon last season for a reported fee of £22m.
The youngster impressed largely last year and kept pushing for a first-team spot. This season he has become a first-team starter and has been impressive in his outings so far. The talented centre-back is tipped to become a starter for France as well next year at Russia and has a bright future ahead of him. With Umtiti developing so fast, it will not be easy for the Red Devils to snatch away the Frenchman from Nou Camp.
