Manchester United are preparing for the future.
Unlike Liverpool, that preparation has come in the form of young, talented strikers being broken in to the team with die-hard veterans – so the pressure is really on nobody.
After Alex Buttner and Nick Powel’s sensational debuts against Wigan yesterday – both scored and both showed plenty of poise – United can seriously look forward to replacing the likes of Paul Scholes and Patrice Evra.
Now, reports have emerged that the United scouts have Italy international defender Angelo Ogbonna in their sights.
With Johny Evans given a run out yesterday and the Rio Ferdinand-Nemanja Vidic centreback pairing still to reach peak form, the Torino centre-back could well be seen as a future option.
Chris Smalling is out injured and Sir Alex has suffered over these past two seasons due to injuries to his defensive players.
Phil Jones is also injured though it is not clear if United see him in a defensive or more advanced role.
Ogbonna can also play at left-back and was called up for the Italian national team.
According to a report in The Sun , Sir Alex and Everton’s David Moyes plan to watch Torino play Inter Milan Ogbonna is 6ft 2in and is rated at around £16million.
Given United’s susceptibility to set plays this season, Ogbonna’s towering ‘presence’ will be welcome at Old Trafford.
Given that Sir Alex has openly stated that Rio Ferdinand has aged and lost pace and needs to adapt his game, a January move for Ogbonna could well see Ferdinand getting some bench time.
COMING TO ENGLAND
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