5 free agents Manchester United could sign in January
Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid)
Probably the one man who can solve Manchester United’s biggest problem this season. They’ve already conceded 18 goals in the Premier League, just 10 lesser than they did throughout the previous campaign.
It’s peculiar that they’re facing this issue now, given that the defense is practically unchanged from last season. But against Bournemouth on Saturday, United could have easily gone 3-0 behind in the opening 30 minutes had the Cherries been more clinical.
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Godin is already 32, and will turn 33 next February, but he’s still one of the best center backs in Europe, having won the LaLiga and Europa League with Atletico, and earned 125 caps for Uruguay.
As it became increasingly clear towards the end of the summer transfer window that Manchester United wouldn’t be able to sign Toby Alderweireld or Harry Maguire, Mourinho made a desperate last-ditch attempt to sign Godin.
Godin himself reportedly turned down the move, and it does seem unlikely that Atletico would let him leave for free. But Simeone does have younger options at the back in Jose Gimenez and Lucas Hernandez, and Mourinho can be very persuasive when he needs to be.
Manchester United currently have a lack of experience at the back. Chris Smalling has now spent 8 complete seasons at the club, but he still isn’t what you would call ‘experienced’.
Lindelof is still very young, Eric Bailly has fallen out of favour with Mourinho, and even the most hardcore supporters of the club have probably forgotten the last time they saw Phil Jones or Marcos Rojo.
Next. Five replacements for Alexis Sanchez at Manchester United. dark
A calm and composed figure like Godin could work wonders for the defense.