Manchester United plotting move for world-class defender

The Milan revolution didn’t go as anticipated and Leonardo Bonucci could be one of the first to leave.

According to The Sun, Manchester United are interested in signing him with a loan deal and an obligation to buy him at the end for £35 million being the expected arrangement. However, he will generate a lot of interest if Milan are intending to sell him.

I Rossoneri spent heavily in the summer in order to guarantee Champions League football next season. That didn’t go as anticipated with sixth place and a Europa League place the highest they can achieve.

In order to stay within Financial Fair Play regulations, they will have to sell some of their star players. Bonucci is good enough to be a starter in most teams, so he’s probably going to leave.

He will also want to compete in the Champions League, which Milan were planning for next season with their ambitious targets. Another season without playing in that competition is too much for Bonucci, who is at the peak of his powers. He is 31-years-old, so he needs to take advantage of the best years of his career.

Bonucci has won seven Serie A titles as well as three Coppa Italia victories and two Champions League final appearances. Therefore, he has the experience to improve any team.

His defensive ability is solid, which is expected from any centre-back who has regularly played for Juventus recently. However, his passing ability is what makes him stand out because he is one of the best ball-playing centre-backs. Long balls are his speciality with Max Allegri making the most out of it at Juventus with his ability to switch play quickly and launch counter-attacks.

Conclusion

Bonucci would be an excellent fit at Manchester United, although that could be said if he joined most clubs. Jose Mourinho is a notoriously defensive manager, so Bonucci’s precision from deep would be more than useful.

He would be able to initiate counter-attacks with balls to an outlet or in the channels. United’s forward options have the pace and dribbling ability to thrive in this set-up and take advantage of these opportunities.

Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have been highly inconsistent with their form this season. Victor Lindelof has the potential, but he struggled to adapt and his confidence has dropped. Therefore, Eric Bailly would be his likely partner.

He is prone to the occasional mistake positionally as well as with his decision-making, but he is usually solid. The 31-year-old would be the main passer from deep in the build-up, so Bailly can focus on his own game. It has the potential to be an excellent partnership especially if Bailly continues his impressive development.

Next: Nothing left to say for Marseille except que sera, sera

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