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29 March 2024

Man United to buy more defenders

Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic (left) scores an own goal past goalkeeper David De Gea and Fulham's Mladen Petric during their English Premier League match at Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester on Saturday. (AP)

Published
By Staff

Sir Alex Ferguson is planning to strengthen his backline by making a swoop for St Etienne defender Kurt Zouma.

Despite claiming on Friday that there would be no more signings after unveiling Dutch defender Alexander Buttner, Ferguson is zooming in on the 17-year-old, rated one of Europe’s top teens, according to The Sun.

With injured Rio Ferdinand reportedly having fallen out of favour following his infamous 'chock ice' tweet against his England team mate Ashley Cole, Ferguson is looking at long-term options. 

United got their 2012-13 Barclays Premier League campaign off to a losing start with a 1-0 defeat at Everton, a game in which Ferguson - unable to call upon Phil Jones (back), Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling (both foot) and Rio Ferdinand (leg) - was forced to field a make-shift defence.

Meanwhile, Ferguson believes Buttner will provide the right competition for Patrice Evra, as the Frenchman has been playing too much in recent seasons.

"It gives us that back up as you said we have defensive injuries at the moment," he added.

"Patrice Evra could play centre back, he has done before in the past but it gives us a stronger squad, that's the most important thing."

"Buttner's a straight-forward, attacking, quick full back. He will be a terrific addition to us.

"When you consider Patrice Evra for the last five years has played an average of 48 games a season. It's an incredible statistic and Alex comes now to challenge that position."

 

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