Manchester United Should Make Right-Back, and Particularly Danilo, a Priority

If Manchester United go on another summer spending spree—and the Mirror's David McDonnell has already reported they'll part with £150 million next July and August—it's likely central defenders and even attackers will be among manager Louis van Gaal's recruitment priorities.

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But the Dutchman would also do well to have a long look at his personnel at right-back, what with Rafael likely headed elsewhere and converted winger Antonio Valencia deputising in the position for most matches.

Former boss David Moyes laid the groundwork for the 2014 acquisition of left-back Luke Shaw, and with Van Gaal adding Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind into the mix, United have myriad options to fill the hole left by Patrice Evra.

The opposite flank, however, has been something of a trouble spot for some time, which is no doubt why the Red Devils are thought to be trying to hijack Real Madrid's move for Danilo, according to the Daily Mail.

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It won't be easy to get him.

Barcelona sport assessor Charly Rexach revealed to Esport 3 on Monday that he'd been told Danilo had already agreed terms with Madrid, as per Marca, although he added, "I don't know for sure."

With Dani Alves on the wane, the Catalan giants are also in the market for a right-back, and Danilo would have fit the bill for them as well.

A Paulista and Copa Libertadores champion with Neymar in 2011, the 23-year-old also played alongside the Barcelona forward at that year's South American Youth Championship and went on to win the FIFA U20 World Cup as part of a team that also included Chelsea's Philippe Coutinho and Chelsea's Oscar.

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Danilo's agent is in Manchester to discuss a summer move to United. They would be ready to pay his clause. [sport] pic.twitter.com/OeXDlGHCXO

— Seleção Brasileira (@BrazilStats) March 4, 2015"

He has since been starring at Porto, where he won back-to-back Portuguese titles in 2012 and 2013.

But Porto's financial model requires that the club's best players eventually be sold along at massive profits, and given that they spent €13 million to sign him from Santos, they'll be expecting at the very least to cash in on his €50 million release clause.

A speedster with an eye for an overlap, good crossing ability and the nous for making frequent interceptions, Danilo would represent a right-back upgrade at most clubs, never mind United, who continue to make do with square pegs in round holes.

Incidentally, United could turn to Dani Alves if their approach for Danilo fails. The 31-year-old is out of contract in the spring, and an Old Trafford move would see him reunited with former Barcelona teammate Victor Valdes.

Southampton's Nathaniel Clyne is also an option for Van Gaal, especially since the newly minted England international is in the midst of a contract spat with his current club, as reported by Jeremy Wilson of The Telegraph.

While Danilo would represent something of a transfer coup for United, they can't go another transfer window without addressing their situation at right-back, one way or another.

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