Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand is backing the Premier League giants to make a move to Lens defender Kevin Danso or Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo.
The sudden and somewhat surprising return to form of Harry Maguire may have given Erik ten Hag’s stuttering side a much-needed boost, especially amid Lisandro Martinez’s injury issues, but are we really talking about it as long-term solution to Manchester United’s defensive issues? Or merely a sticking plaster?
Sunday’s Manchester derby – the biggest test yet of Maguire’s revival – could go a long way to answering that particular question, the jury still out on the oft-maligned England international following a string of excellent displays against less-than-stellar opposition.
Ferdinand, speaking to the Manchester Evening News, still believes that defensive reinforcements are required at Old Trafford. Antonio Silva, Giorgio Scalvini, Marc Guehi and Goncalo Inacio have all been linked. But Ferdinand believes there are two more names who should also be under consideration.
Manchester United eye a new defender
“The boy at Lens, there’s one there,” Ferdinand says of Danso, the one-time Southampton loanee proving to be a superb addition to the Ligue 1 overachievers. “He’s good.
“(United should also look at) the Uruguayan boy at Barcelona. Araujo. Whether he’s gettable or not, I think he’s brilliant. He’s an unreal centre half.
“He has every attribute to be perfect for the Premier League. I’d probably say he’s the standout, but whether he’s gettable or not, I don’t know.
“I’ve always said this – to be a successful team, you need that foundation of a solid defence and to be able to pick similar players.”
Ronaldo Araujo the ‘perfect’ signing
Given their high-profile financial issues, no one at Barcelona can really be considered truly ‘unsellable’, though reports suggesting that the colossal, versatile Araujo is valued in the region of £87 million likely makes him too rich for United’s blood.
Especially with Scalvini, Silva, Guehi and Inacio potentially available for a fraction of that fee.
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