Right-Back Options for Manchester United in the January Window

It should be said that Manchester United currently boast a very fine right-back in Rafael da Silva.

However, new United manager David Moyes has yet to see the Brazilian at his absolute best this season after he picked up an injury in the Community Shield. 

So far, Rafael has missed the majority of United’s games in this campaign. Moyes has used Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and twin brother Fabio at right-back instead.

On the left side of defence, Moyes has another fine defender in Patrice Evra, but that hasn’t stopped him constantly being linked with a move for Everton’s Leighton Baines.

If Moyes did want to bolster his options at right-back, these players could be the contenders for a surprise move in the January transfer window.  

Philipp Lahm

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It is highly unlikely that Philipp Lahm could be tempted out of Bayern Munich in January as they aim to become the first side to successfully defend the Champions League. As German captain, he would also not want to unsettle himself in a World Cup year.

However, any United short list has to contain the best, and at the moment Lahm is the world’s most accomplished right-back.

The German would certainly bring some needed authority and experience to the right side of the United defence. As Rio Ferdinand’s career begins to wind down, Lahm’s leadership skills would also be most welcome at Old Trafford.

Strong in both defence and attack, Lahm is now in his prime. Even though he has amassed over 100 caps for Germany, he only turned 30 as recently as last week.  

Lukasz Piszczek

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The Polish international has been out injured since he last appeared for Borussia Dortmund in the 2013 Champions League final defeat to Bayern Munich.

The right-back is now approaching full fitness again, and played in a friendly for Dortmund this week. He would be fully fit by the time the January transfer window opens. 

The Pole was originally an attacking player, being used on the wing and up front, and finished the 2004 Under-19 European Championships as joint leading scorer.

After arriving at Dortmund from Hertha Berlin in 2010, Jurgen Klopp converted him into an attack-minded right-back, who has since played a major role in the club winning two Bundesliga titles.  

Seamus Coleman

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The Irish international represents an obvious drop in class compared to Lahm or Piszczek, but would still be a solid, if uninspiring addition to the Untied squad.

David Moyes brought him to Everton from Sligo Rovers in 2009, and has shown he likes returning to his former club for new recruits. The Scot has already signed Marouane Fellaini, and has tried to lure Leighton Baines as well. 

Comfortable on the ball and joining in with Everton’s attacks, he could still improve his defending. However, at only 25 years old, Coleman has his best years ahead of him. 

Juanfran

In a league brimming with outrageous talent, the Atletico Madrid right-back still manages to stand out.

It is only the form of Real Madrid’s Alvaro Arbeloa that has limited him to seven caps for Spain. However, he did score the winner against Equatorial Guinea this week.

At right-back last season, Juanfran’s assured presence was one of the main reasons Atletico finished with La Liga’s best defensive record, conceding only 31 goals in 38 games compared to Barcelona’s 40 and Real Madrid’s 42.

This season, Atletico and Juanfran are just as hard to breach, conceding just nine goals in 13 games.

It would be quite a coup for United to prise him out of Atletico in January as they are currently in pursuit of Barcelona at the top of La Liga.