Jose Mourinho wants to bolster Manchester United defense with Skriniar and Romagnoli
By Tushar Bahl
Jose Mourinho has told Manchester United that he wants to sign two Serie A defenders in the January transfer window.
Manchester United have endured a disappointing start to the season and are already seven points behind the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea. The Red Devils have already conceded 14 goals in the league this season and a large proportion of those goals have come from defensive errors.
Jose Mourinho wanted to bring in defensive reinforcements in the summer, but the United board failed to back him in the transfer market. And the manager believes that the club’s poor start to the season is down to their lack of spending.
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According to ESPN, the United manager now wants to sign Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar and AC Milan’s Alessio Romagnoli in January. The duo are considered to be two of Europe’s most talented centre backs and they are both valued in the region of 40 million euros.
Milan Skriniar has been a mainstay in Inter Milan’s defense since joining from Sampdoria in 2017. The Slovakian international has quickly become one of the most dominant defenders in Europe, While Alessio Romagnoli has been a standout player for AC Milan since joining the club from Roma and his performances have seen him earn comparisons with club legend Alessandro Nesta. Both players are typical modern day defenders with great ball playing ability, composure, anticipation and awareness.
Mourinho has signed two centre backs for a combined fee of 61 million euros since arriving at Manchester United in 2016, but both Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof have struggled to perform on a consistent basis for the club. Bailly was subbed off in the 18th minute with United 2-0 down against Newcastle on Saturday. While Lindelof was an unused substitute after his horror show against West Ham a week ago.
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Manchester United lack defenders who can build-up play from the back and that prompted Jose Mourinho to use Paul Pogba in a more deeper role in the second half against Newcastle on Saturday. It worked wonders as Pogba orchestrated United’s comeback from a deep lying, quarterback role. And if United can add a centre back who can play this role for them, it would not only help provide a new dimension to their attack, it would also help them curb the defensive mistakes which have cost them so heavily this season.