Manchester United have truly ushered into a new era under the Dutch Manager Erik Ten Hag. After somewhat of two turbulent seasons which saw them achieve close to negligible successes, Manchester United have managed to build what many teams would dream to have as their defence. Sir Jim Ratcliffe being true to his word has given Ten Hag the freedom to make the necessary signings. And Ten Hag has not shied from this opportunity.
Manchester United started by bolstering their defence and has already signed the likes of Matthijs De Ligt, Leny Yoro and Noussair Mazraoui. Last season, Injuries really came in the way of United’s progress, in the end, resulting in the Manchester side finishing only as high as 8th only securing a Europa League spot largely due to their leaky defence in the Premiership.
The situation was so bad last season that Harry Maguire, who started 19 games for United in the centre of the defence, played with 7 different Centre-back partners. Moreover, statistically, United conceded 81 goals and also had a Goal Difference of (-1) in the Premier League table. So it is understandable that the first positions United wanted to invest in the transfer window were the defensive positions.
Now after doing so, United look like a side well placed for a top-4 finish this season. But at the same time, it feels like there’s still something missing. Erik Ten Hag’s side are still missing something. And that something is depth in the Fullback positions. While now, the centre-back positions are well covered with the presence of Lisandro Martinez, Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, De Ligt, and Jonny Evans, the Fullback positions don’t have much depth.
At the left back position, United have Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, two players who have had their fair share of Injury problems. While at Right Back there is expected to be strong competition amongst Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui for the starting Spot.
At Centre-defensive midfield, there is Casemiro an experienced campaigner with the starboy Kobbie Mainoo playing beside him in midfield, two players who provide ample defensive cover to the United backline. Moreover, Manchester United look like they have finally managed to get Manuel Ugarte, the Uruguayan defensive midfielder on board from PSG.
Ben Chillwell the Ideal Candidate for Ten Hag
Chelsea are in the middle of a massive squad-cleansing exercise. Used-up stars like Raheem Sterling and Ben Chillwell have been told to find new pastures to play football on. But the truth is that Ben Chillwell is still at a level where he can compete in the Premier League with ease. The 27-year-old is in his athletic prime and can still be a great addition to any team he joins.
On the other hand, it’s easy to understand that United’s left-back position needs an upgrade or perhaps some bolstering. And with the Chilwell situation as it is at Chelsea, United and the English Fullback might just be a Match made in Heaven. The left-footed fullback isn’t really an upgrade over Luke Shaw or Tyrell Malacia but provides solid competition for both United players.
Another very big positive with Chilwell is that he is not very injury-prone, unlike Shaw and Malacia. For example, Luke Shaw has missed 253 games for Manchester United in Total, which amounts to 1230 days in total. On the other hand, there is an interesting fact about Tyrell Malacia which tells you how grave his injury problem is. Tyrell Malacia was 23 years old when he last played for the Red Devils, and he turned 25 last week and is yet to return from his injury.
During their first match in the Premier League this season, Lisandro Martinez had to play as the makeshift Left-back in the second half of the match. With Chilwell in the squad, this won’t happen.
Ben Chilwell will definitely be a positive signing for Erik Ten Hag and Manchester United. The question is, do United go for him?
