Manchester United Identity Six Establish CB Target

The despicable run of form experienced by Manchester United this season has been greatly impacted by their defensive woes.Taking advantage of the winter transfer window, Erik Ten Hag and the Manchester United hierarchy have made a move to strengthen their backline.

Among the identified six CB targets for Manchester United, all aged between 19-24, there remains the question of who would be the best choice. A complete tactical breakdown below;

ANTONIO SILVA – A 19-year-old player who already possesses a considerable amount of experience at both club and international level. Silva plays a vital role in Benfica’s build-up play, demonstrating exceptional passing ability and resistance to pressure. His defensive positional intelligence is already impressive, coupled with strong game-reading skills. His ability to control the game from a deep position and advance the ball through passing or dribbling is exactly what MUFC needs, along with leadership qualities. Benfica, known as a possession-oriented team, provide an ideal environment for his capabilities (ETH desires players who are comfortable in possession). The estimated price for Silva is approximately £80 million.

TODIBO – At the age of 23, Todibo excels in advancing the ball forward and demonstrates great expertise in carrying it. He also showcases strong defensive skills in wide areas and can even step in as a right-back if necessary. Comfortable in a high-line defensive approach, he thrives in build-up play, similarly to the other center backs supposedly linked to Man Utd. The estimated price for Todibo is around £40 million.

DIAMONDE – At the young age of 19, Diamonde possesses an impressive level of comfort in possession, potentially even surpassing that of Silva. Like the other center backs being considered by Man Utd, he is resistant to pressure and adept at carrying and progressing the ball forward. Despite his defensive capabilities perhaps not being as strong as Silva’s, it is difficult to make a definitive judgement at this early point. Diamonde is estimated to cost around £70 million.

INACIO – At 22, Inácio, who predominantly plays as a left center back (LCB), offers valuable versatility by being capable of adapting to a back three or four. He can occupy positions such as LCB, CCB, or LB. He excels in duels, tackles proficiently, and showcases proficiency in winning aerial challenges, making him an exceptional player with an estimated value of around £50 million. Although his inclusion would address Martinez’s injury concerns, the priority may still lie in acquiring a right center back (RCB).

Among the potential options, we have Branthwaite, a 21-year-old player who has already experienced the Premier League. Standing tall at 6ft4, he brings much-needed height to the team and could potentially replace Maguire. While his passing ability may not match that of some other candidates, he excels in aerial duels and showcases great defensive skills. He thrives in 1v1 situations, particularly in wide areas where opponents struggle to bypass him. What makes him even more valuable is his versatility, as he is equally comfortable playing as a left or right central defender. His market value is estimated at around £50 million (an asset to any English club).

Another noteworthy candidate is Edmond Tabsoba, who is currently 24 years old and is enjoying a remarkable season with Leverkusen. He possesses the most extensive experience among the players on our list. Tabsoa impresses with his ability to break lines and contribute to the team’s build-up play. However, some may consider him slightly impulsive in defensive situations. His recent contract extension puts his estimated price at around £60 million.

While all the targets we have identified have shown consistent performance for at least a year, several factors such as cost, skill-set, injury history, and adaptability to a new environment will play a crucial role in making the final decision.