Sergio Ramos Is the True Defender Manchester United Are Desperate For

At this stage it would probably be wrong to read too much into the reports linking Sergio Ramos with a move to Manchester United. It’s fairly evident that there is briefing and counter-briefing from both clubs and from Ramos, with much of it filtered through his brother and agent Rene. What seems to be playing out is a complex series of negotiations involving Ramos’ new contract and the potential transfer of David De Gea from United to Madrid.

But beyond all that, it’s readily understandable why Louis van Gaal might want to sign Ramos. As Sir Alex Ferguson said when United signed Nemanja Vidic, reported by the Telegraph in 2006, "good defenders win you things."

Since Vidic’s departure, and with Rio Ferdinand’s decline and subsequent departure, United have lacked a real leader from the back where once they had two. When Ferdinand and Vidic were at their peak in 2008-09 and United went a Premier League record 11 games without conceding a goal, they were fortunate in having two.

Their styles contrasted, but both could be relied upon. Vidic was tough and physical, willing to hurl himself into challenges and blocks—an old-fashioned defender who inspired by example. Ferdinand was more reserved and classy, defending using his positioning and pace.

It’s not that the players United have had at centre-back have been poor. Chris Smalling improved immeasurably under Van Gaal and by the end of last season looked as though he might be becoming what he had promised to be, a proper ball-playing defender. Jonny Evans has a propensity for errors, but he can look classy and composed. Phil Jones seems perpetually promising, but he has never quite produced the consistent run of good games that would entirely convince. Michael Carrick did well in the role but is a converted midfielder. Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett are young.

PAUL THOMAS/Associated Press

They are a modern sort of defender—players who can pass and hold their positions—but not necessarily great at the more physical side of the game. As a result, United struggled when they met the likes of MK Dons and Cambridge in the cups as well as against forwards of physical power such as Christian Benteke and Romelu Lukaku.

What United have lacked since Vidic is what Brian Clough would have termed "a bastard." Clough was noted for the neat passing of his sides but, in the '70s at least, demanded they always had "bite." His Nottingham Forest side that won successive European Cups was based around the central-defensive pairing of Larry Lloyd and Kenny Burns: Lloyd was big and powerful, and Burns was a converted forward who was comfortable on the ball, but both were hard men who inspired with their physical commitment.

That sort of player has become less and less common of late as the focus for defenders has shifted from pure defending to being able to pass and play the ball out form the back; as ESPN's Miguel Delaney noted recently, many of the best old-school defenders are coming from South America rather than Europe.

But Ramos is that sort of player. He’s a "bastard" in the best way and is capable of driving his side forward, as he showed most impressively away to Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final in 2014. Of course he can be a little wild—as his 19 red cards attest—but he has matured: The last of those cards came over a year ago.

Paul White/Associated Press

At 29, Ramos seems to be reaching a happy blend of aggression and composure. He will still collect cards, but set against that is the positive effect his assertiveness brings and the fact that, unusually among modern defenders, he relishes defending.

He may end up costing in excess of £30 million—he may not really want to leave Madrid at all—but if he did go to Old Trafford, he looks the ideal player to elevate United. He's an experienced winner who could add a dash of the "bastard" to a defence that can seem a little nice.

All Brian Clough references from my biography, Nobody Ever Says Thank You.