A Case for Man Utd Defence ------- Evaluating the credentials of four leading candidates to replace Nemanja Vidic at the heart of Man Uniteds defence. With Nemanja Vidic having sealed a switch to Inter this summer and Rio Ferdinands current contract also expiring in June its clear that United have big changes to make at the back. The likes of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling were signed to step up when the time came for their senior teammates to move on but Moyes certainly needs to bolster his backline. Its no surprise then that a number of players have been mooted with a move to Old Trafford, lets use this chance to compare some of those touted as replacements for the old guard. To do so weve looked at the stats of each from this season and last, purely in the matches that the players chosen have started at centre-back. THOMAS VERMALEN Arsenals Thomas Vermaelen was entrusted with the captains armband at the Emirates following the departure of Cesc Fabregas but his form and playing time has diminished since. Now firmly the third choice under Wenger it seems the Belgian is surplus to requirementsand could be made available. With just 3 league starts under his belt this season, Vermaelen has made 25 at centre-back since the beginning of the previous campaign. His average rating in those appearances is a modest 6.94, with a pass accuracy of 86.7% and an average of 2.8 aerial duels won per game standing out; the former helping the 28-year old amass statistically calculated strengths of passing and holding on to the ball. Averages of 1.6 tackles and 1.8 interceptions per game are respectable but having become a fan favourite for his goal threat from the back the Arsenal man hasnt netted in the league in the past two seasons. ELIAQUIM MANGALA Portos 23-year old centre-back is tipped to become one of the best in Europe and cement his place in Frances national side. Hell have done his chances no harm with a solid showing alongside Raphael Varane against Netherlands last week, winning 7 aerial duels while completing 12 clearances and 95% of his pass attempts. The week before his brace ensured Portos progression in the Europa League, so his stock is certainly rising. With Liga Sagres stats unavailable were looking at Mangalas 11 starts at centre-back in Europe over the past two seasons, so the quality of opposition will have impacted on a still decent rating of 7.00 in those matches. His averages of 1.4 tackles and 1.8 interceptions per game, along with 2.3 aerial duels won per match are similar to those of Vermaelen, but with 2 goals and 1 assist to his name he holds a threat at the opposite end of the pitch too. DAVIDE ASTORI Having come through the ranks at AC Milan, 27-year old Astori has become a key player in his 5 seasons with current club Cagliari, earning international honours in the process. A call-up to Cesare Prandellis World Cup squad is certainly on the cards for a player that boasts impressive defensive stats across the board. Since the beginning of last season the Italian has started 55 matches at centre-back in Serie A, with notable averages in terms of interceptions (2.4) and clearances (8.8) per game in particular. If Astori has one weakness, as shown by his WhoScored characteristics, it is his concentration, having made more errors that have led to goals than any other outfielder in Serie A (4) in that time. Nevertheless, the Cagliari man certainly has a number of attributes that would cover for the loss of Vidic, with an average rating of 7.14 over the last two seasons. MEHDI BENATIA Its a case of saving the best for last here, with Romas Mehdi Benatia having firmly established himself as one of the best centre-backs in Europe this season. The player himself confirmed interest from a number of parties last summer but claimed that having given Roma his word he would not be backing out of a deal. His availability now then, having only gone on to add to his value, is uncertain, and with Roma looking more than likely to qualify for the Champions League and United looking distinctly unlikely to match that feat, whether the Moroccan would consider any such move is equally unclear. If Benatia were open to a move to Manchester the stats suggest hed be an excellent acquisition. The 26-year olds averages of 2.7 tackles and 3.1 interceptions per game over 45 league starts at centre-back in the last two seasons are very impressive, while hes netted a noteworthy 7 times from the back in that period. With Uniteds current quartet having netted just 4 times in the 93 league starts that they have made at centre-back between them since the start of the previous campaign, his is a goal threat from defence that the side have lacked. A rating of 7.52 in the last two seasons is evidence enough that Benatia would be worth the high sums that any transfer would likely command.
Posted on: Thu, 13 Mar 2014 19:12:51 +0000
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