With the January transfer window only just a few days away, teams are lining up bids in a hurry. With clubs like Manchester United and Arsenal both needing some defensive cover, it will be a race to land the signatures. Louis Van Gaal would been keen in bringing back a familiar face in former captain Namanja Vidic to provide cover for a back line with little depth.
Manchester United currently have Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans as their starting centre backs, with Paddy McNair sliding in every once in awhile, as the Dutch manager enjoys playing in the 3-5-2 formation. Beyond that though, they don’t have any other out and out centre backs on the roster, certainly none with the experience of Vidic.
Marcus Rojo is an interesting prospect though, who has been stuck dealing with injuries as of late. When brought over from Sporting Lisbon, Rojo was seen by Manchester as more of a left back option than a centre back.
When Luke Shaw was signed away from Southampton last summer, he was, and still is expected to be the starter at left back for United, which leaves Rojo in a back up position. Rojo could be molded into a definite centre back, as he has the size and physicality, but he is still in limbo between the two positions for the time being.
Vidic would provide immediate help to an injury riddled defense. He would be a free pickup for Manchester United, and also wouldn’t take any time adjusting to the scenery. It would be very similar to if Arsenal would bring back Thomas Vermaelen, which surely would be welcomed in North London right about now.
Teams aren’t looking to shell out huge contracts in January, which is why Vidic would be a very reasonable and realistic pickup for United. He is older in age, but with that comes experience, something that a young Manchester back line doesn’t have a lot of. If Van Gaal and the Red Devils could secure their defense just a little bit, they are destined to hold on to their Champions League spot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wcq3JTohD64
