Manchester United Transfers: 7 Possible Ways to Replace Rio Ferdinand Next Year

Just when you thought Rio Ferdinand might get through a season fairly unscathed, another injury crops up.

After last season's injury nightmare for Manchester United, the last thing they needed was to start the season without four centre-backs.

And how many is enough these days? United have seven strikers on their books including injured Will Keane, so why not six centre-backs? Or more? 

The thing is that both Vidic and Ferdinand are in their thirties and although the captain may have a role to play for two or three years, Rio's replacement needs to be lined up for next year. So what are the possible solutions?

Replace from Within: The Seniors

Could this be the future pairing for United? With Phil Jones in reserve when not playing defensive midfield.

Rio Ferdinand is a footballing centre-back. Of the three who have been lined up for succession, all three can play from the back. 

When Chris Smalling first arrived, he looked the most likely successor and he is the best ball-header of the three.

Jones is the most combative and therefore would be the most logical to step into Vidic's boots in due course. 

Jonny Evans is already established as second choice based on last season and many people believe he came of age while Vidic was injured. It will be interesting to see which pairing emerges, but there are always other possibilities.

Unless a young pretender emerges from the Under 21s, Sir Alex is likely to sign an outsider.

Replace from Within: The Under 21s

Yes, of course, Phil Jones is an Under 21 player.

Whichever way you look at it, United are going to need a replacement for Rio Ferdinand next year. Either one-for-one or as one of the five senior players.

Given that there are so many able, up-and-coming centre-backs at United, there is, in theory, no reason why they shouldn't replace from within. 

Apart from Sean McGinty and Reese Brown (Wes's brother), there are:

Scott Wootton, Michael Keane, Tom Thorpe, Michel Fornasier, Freddy Veseli and Tyler Blackett.

Wootton and Keane were played in preseason but Wootton was on the bench against Everton. Keane seems the most likely of all six to step up and he is also a footballing centre-back. He can also play at right or left back position.

Tom Thorpe is hugely competent and has also captained the England Under 19s. He can also play in midfield. Given that Ferdinand is a footballing centre-back, this could be a plus-point.

Footballing Centre-Backs

Of course there are also plenty of footballing centre-backs in the world.

What we're talking about here is someone who can also play defensive midfield, or vice versa.

Why?

Increasingly in Europe, there is no need for four at the back. On the other hand, as the two fateful Barcelona matches showed, United could use a defensive midfield on occasions.

Two strong candidates who fall into this category are Javi Martinez and Stephen Mbia.

Everybody seems to want Martinez. He was outstanding for Bilbao against United in the Europa League and filled in at centre-half for most of last season.

Stephen Mbia is a 26-year-old Cameroon international. He signed for Marseille from Rennes in 2009 as a defensive midfielder. Within months, Didier Deschamps turned him into a highly successful centre-back.

Young Pretenders

Harry Maguire was selected by the BBC in their 2011-12 League One team. Last October, he was given an extended deal by Sheffield United through 2015 to keep him at Bramall Lane. Although he's only 19, it seems a matter of time before a Premier League club comes in for him.

Newcastle United have just signed Australian centre-back Curtis Good, also 19 years old. He must be good because the Toon have signed him on a six-year deal. That won't stop predators if he comes through in the next year or so though.

The Daily Mail reports Kurt Zouma is already on United's radar, but they are not alone and Sir Alex may be spent up for this summer. Although only 17, he is already an established French U19 player. He played for St. Etienne's first team at the age of 16 and in total featured 24 times last season. That puts him not far behind Smalling and Jones in terms of experience.

With the latter two ready to step up and several prospects in the Under 21s, however, it seems unlikely that United would replace Rio Ferdinand with a teenager---except of course Phil Jones.

If they did go outside, surely they would buy the finished product, so here are three final possibilities to consider.

The Borussia Dortmind Connection

There is large amounts of interest in Borussia Dortmund players among the thousands of transfer rumours flying around. Hardly surprising with Shinji Kagawa turning out to be even better than thought and Dortmund storming the Bundesliga the last few seasons.

United fans would gladly sign Mario Goetze, Robert Lewandoski, maybe even Marco Reus. So why not Jurgen Klopp to succeed Sir Alex as well?

Frankly, either of their central defenders would make an excellent replacement for Rio Ferdinand.

Mats Hummels is an established German international who was outstanding in the World Cup. Neven Subotic is a talented young Serbian who has played alongside Nemanja Vidic. 

Take your pick.

Mehdi Benatia

As reported by The Daily Mail, Mehdi Benatia has been on United's radar for some time.

With yet another injury crisis and Rio's vulnerability being exposed once again by his latest leg injury, maybe now is the time for Sir Alex to pursue Benatia, rather than waiting for next year?

Mehdi is a ball-playing defender who has shown for Udinese that he can both be a hard man when needed and play anywhere across the back four.

Once again, it's that word "versatility." With Phil Jones able to play defensive midfield if needed, Mehdi could readily be accommodated.

And although nobody is writing Nemanja Vidic off, he is on the wrong side of 30.

The other thing he has in common with Rio is his speed. The latter has lost a yard and is compensating by playing smarter, but Sir Alex's new strategy is to have pace and technical ability across the park.

Mamadou Sakho

Good judges of football have for some time been watching Mamadou Sakho. So it is no surprise that top Premier League clubs are interested in him, according to The Daily Mail.

PSG have been circulating to clubs that he is available, despite him previously being captain. At only 22 and already with six full international caps for France, he was clearly good enough for Laurent Blanc to pick against England.

More to the point, this is a talented lad. He was made captain of PSG at 17 and has played 158 times in less than five years. 

If PSG are making him available, United may be able to get a better price.