Manchester United are in a decent position in the Premier League given their slightly uninspired start to the domestic season. They are currently in the 6th place, not too far away from a place in the top-4 and Jose Mourinho will know that his side will have to be at their best to keep themselves within touching distance of the Champions League. The manager has been looking to add a few players in the January transfer window to ease the pressure on the squad and one player who has been extensively linked with a move to the Old Trafford is Benfica’s Victor Lindelof.
The 22-year-old was rumoured to be joining the Old Trafford outfit at the start of the month with reports suggesting that both parties have already agreed the terms of a deal. However, there was no official word of an agreement between the two parties and the deal did not go through. Jose Mourinho has ever since spoken a couple of times about not wanting to spend big in January but a report from the Sun claims that United are set to take a decision about Lindelof this week. But here is why they should move on and pursue another defender:
At 22, the Swedish international is undoubtedly one of the best players in his position in Europe at the moment. He has cemented a place in the first team for club and country a year ago and is growing confident by the game. His strength, concentration levels and technique on the ball are admirable for a player his age and he is surely going to go places in the future. But if he will do that at Manchester United is a question that needs to be answered.
Jose Mourinho has now stuck to Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo, an unlikely partnership at the back, that has been successful recently. Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly have acted as backups when needed and the latter is set to be back in the next couple of weeks and will strengthen the side. Daley Blind can play this role as well with a couple of academy graduates also waiting on the sidelines for their time. The Red Devils are currently active in all 4 competitions this season and Mourinho will need all the depth he can get from the squad.
But the center back position is one that United can do without much spending. Lindelof is expected to be one of the most expensive defenders if Manchester United agree to meet his valuation and at his price, Manchester United need a player who can walk into the first team. With due respect to his quality, Lindelof is yet to play in a top class league in his career and will surely find the English league intimidating. He may come good in the future but Mourinho is looking for a player who can improve the squad for the rest of the season but seems have to have found his pairing already leaving Lindelof with little chance at first team action.
Manchester United might regret letting him go after a few years but they have enough quality in the squad to come good and help them through for the rest of the season.
Do you think Manchester United should do all it takes to land Lindelof this January?