The Red Devils are finally prepared to sign a new defender in the upcoming winter transfer window in order to bolster their defensive line and have identified Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah as their prime target. United have been struggling off late and desperately need re-enforcements in order to make it into the top 4 of the English Premier League.
Manchester United are currently in unfamiliar territory as they languish in eighth place on the Premier League table. Jose Mourinho warned the United faithful that the club was going to face a difficult season because of the lack of transfers in the summer window. Despite being linked with a number of top center-halves across the European continent, Manchester United failed to lure in even one central defender to Old Trafford. Rather humiliating defeats to West Ham United and elimination from the League Cup to Derby County highlighted the importance of a central defender at United. Jose Mourinho’s job was under scrutiny before the Newcastle United game with reports claiming that the ‘Special One’ will get the sack no matter what in the following week. As United was trailing 2-0 at halftime, things were looking grim for the home supporters but a spirited second half allowed United to make a dramatic comeback and win the game 3-2 against the Magpies. Therefore United are keen on bringing in a top quality central defender to reassure the back line and keep opponents from scoring goals so easily.
Manchester United’s vice-chairman Ed Woodward decided against the option of purchasing any central defenders in the summer with Diogo Dalot being the only notable player with defensive traits. Most of the defenders that United was linked with were far too pricey and Woodward was not focused on splashing large chunks of money in order to sign a top quality player. United was linked with Barcelona’s Samuel Umtiti, Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane, AC Milan’s Alessio Romagnoli as well as Tottenham Hotspur’s Toby Alderweireld. Having also lost out on signing Bayern Munich’s Jerome Boateng, United are now prepared to look at another Bundesliga defender who has caught the eye with recent dominant displays in the form of Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah.
The young German defender has been bossing it in the defense for Leverkusen over the past few seasons and Mourinho has been keeping tabs on him for a while now. At 6 feet and five inches, Tah is one of the tallest central defenders around Europe and he is also quite versatile as well. However, reports claim that Tah wants to leave the Bay Arena and join a top club where he can win more titles in his career even though he extended his contract in February earlier this year. The one issue with Tah would be that he is not experienced enough to play in the Premier League and he is just 22. Also, United would have to think twice before making such a signing as Tah’s contract expires in 2023 which means that he would not come to the Premier League for a cheap price.
