Why Manchester United should sign Toby Alderweireld among the three targets

Manchester United are eager to sign one of Harry Maguire, Leonardo Bonucci or Toby Alderweireld to strengthen their defensive line-up ahead of the upcoming season. Reports suggest that they have to offload one of their current centre-backs in order to buy any one of the above.

With Marcos Rojo falling down the pecking order due to injuries and poor form, it is expected that the Argentine might be the one to be sold before the signing process starts again. Manager Jose Mourinho must address his inconsistent centre-back pairing to challenge Manchester City for the title.

Perusing the options, United should buy Toby Alderweireld from Tottenham Hotspur out of the three players they have targeted. The Spurs defender, who was one of the best players for Belgium in Russia, has been a revelation since his arrival in the Premier League.

He will add the ruggedness and continuity that Mourinho needs from his defenders, which can make the player an Old Trafford great.

Here’s why the Red Devils should sign the 29-year-old to solidify their back-line and get back to title-winning ways:

Player Analysis – Toby Alderweireld

Age – 29

Main Position – Centre-back, Right-back

Alderweireld is a very calm and solid defender who exhibits confidence and concentration on the pitch. He can make tackles, interceptions and important clearances to stop the danger of the opposition attack, at an average of 1.4, 0.6 and 4.5 per game respectively. This indicates his diligent defensive capabilities which sometimes go under the radar.

Furthermore, his passing from the back and those sumptuous diagonals to switch the point of attack is a treat to watch. The Belgian just pings those balls which hardly goes off the radar. He has a pass completion rate of 84.5%, epitomising his authority and reliability in possession.

The 29-year-old can win aerial duels and is physically well-built to shrug off the centre-forwards. He is also a threat from set-pieces, making late runs into the box to manufacture a chance from corners and indirect free-kicks.

Verdict

So overall, Alderweireld has the experience and know-how of the Premier League, which gets him the nod ahead of the other two defenders to grace the “Theatre of dreams.” The Belgian is a quality player who will improve the United backline.

Stats Courtesy – Whoscored.com.