Manchester United has lacked a central defender who can go out and win the headers and tackles easily. The Premier League club had one of the greatest centre-back pairings in the history of the competition in Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, but they have not been able to replace the duo and have struggled in defence for a number of years now.
Nemanja Vidic was the perfect defender, not only was he strong in the air and with his tackling, he had the pace to deal with the fastest strikers and he could score a goal or two for his team as well. The Serbian was a star at the club and United do need to get someone like him back in the team if they are looking to get back to the good old days.
Here are three defenders who fit the tag of being the next Nemanja Vidic.
Jose Gimenez
While everyone has raved about the likes of Diego Godin and Antoine Griezmann, there is another player who has been making the right noises in the other Madrid club. Jose Gimenez might not have been the most well-known player in the world but his performances for Atletico Madrid have been sensational at the back.
The 21-year-old Uruguayan is the perfect replacement for Nemanja Matic and is seen as the future Diego Godin for his side as well. It is a good thing he is playing with Godin as he learns and picks up a lot about his trade and the South American would be a hit in any club he does sign for if he leaves Atletico.
Jonathan Tah
Another player who is built to play for Manchester United or for any Premier League club is Jonathan Tah. The 20-year-old defender has been exceptional for Bayer Leverkusen and is already a German international.
The youngster is a leader at the back as well, something that Vidic was known for. Tah isn’t the most consistent player in the world yet, but with experience he will get better and is already being linked with a move away from Germany.
Eric Bailly
One of the star players from the Spanish league this season, at least from a defensive point of view. Atletico Madrid might have had the best defence in the league, but Villarreal were almost as good in defence as their more fashionable rivals.
The reason for that was Eric Bailly, the 22-year-old Ivory Coast international has been a star for the Yellow Submarines and he could be one player set to move away from La Liga this summer. He has played most of his professional career in Spain but he too could be the next Vidic in the making and at only 22, signing him would be a gamble worth taking.