Manchester United must make signing two fullbacks a priority in the summer, if they are to challenge rivals City for the title next season.
Currently Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young are Manchester United’s two first choice full backs. However, both of them are now 32 and can simply no longer play week in week out. Inconsistent performances throughout the season, further prove that Manchester United must sign new fullbacks in the summer.
Young and Valencia both joined Manchester United as wingers. After failing to make a huge impression in their favorite positions, both were converted to full backs. While the results have been impressive, considering that they are not natural full backs, it is time for United to bring in reinforcements.
Antonio Valencia enjoyed a brilliant season last year. But this time around, he has failed to reach those levels. While he still has the athleticism, pace and aggression he did at his prime, his crossing and final decisions have often meant that promising positions lead to nothing for United. Another thing about Valencia is that he is so predictable on the ball that the opposition defenders are already alert to his next move.
Ashley Young on the other hand, is enjoying his best season at Manchester United. He was exceptional against Mohamed Salah earlier this season, preventing the free scoring Egyptian from getting a glimpse. On his day, Young is one of the best crossers of the ball in England. A fact which he further showed with his superb cross for Marouane Fellaini, which led to Manchester United’s winner yesterday against Arsenal.
But like Valencia, Young can be susceptible in defense at times. Too often he gets caught in two minds, both during attacking and defending. Since he is not a natural full back, he is prone to making mistakes in defense, like he did against Tottenham and Manchester City (in the first half).
Other than those two, United also have Like Shaw, Matteo Darmian and Daley Blind in their ranks at fullback positions. Darmian and Blind are set to leave, while Luke Shaw could also depart.
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Some people think of full backs as the most unimportant parts of the squad. However, as Manchester City have proved this season, the two wide defenders are a vital part of the team. Guardiola replaced his ageing fullbacks by signing three new fullbacks for a combined 130 million pounds. And Manchester United must follow their rivals’ example and splash the cash on new fullbacks in the summer.