Milan Skriniar Comments on Manchester United Transfer Rumours

Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar has acknowledged the rumours linking him with a switch to Manchester United, but he has been unable to confirm the Red Devils' reported interest.

Speaking to Sport.sk (h/t Metro), the centre-back has said he will not allow reports of a potential January bid from United coach Jose Mourinho affect his game in Serie A:

"Yes, but I don't know if it's true. Personally, I don't know, as the transfer window has just shut, so it's hard for me to say anything.

"There was some noise in the summer, but nothing happened, so I'm not letting it bother me."

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United have displayed defensive frailties after failing to sign any of their centre-back targets last summer, as Mourinho missed out on Tottenham Hotspur's Toby Alderweireldand Leicester City's Harry Maguire.

Maguire gave a magnificent performance as England reached the semi-finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, but United were unable to convince the Foxes to part with their star asset.

Skriniar might be unknown to many English football fans, but the Slovakia international has impressed at the San Siro.

The player was a regular starter for Sampdoria before signing for Inter in 2017, and the defender has gone from strength to strength in the past 12 months.

According to Rob Dawson of ESPN, Mourinho wants United to back in him with a war chest for January transfers, with Skriniar one of his primary targets. The Portuguese also wants AC Milan defender Alessio Romagnoli.

WhoScored.com highlighted Skriniar's excellence this term:

The 23-year-old delivers a high level of consistency in Italy, and he has the physical attributes to make a difference at Old Trafford.

Romagnoli is also 23, allowing United to build a centre-back pairing with youth on their side.

Neither player is at the top of the marketplace, but both have the potential to be huge hits in the Premier League if Mourinho gets his way.

United are failing at present, and the manager will not be given unlimited time to address the issues in the first team.

Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof have not reached the standards expected at the Theatre of Dreams, and United must revamp their defence as soon as possible.

The Red Devils are heavily stocked with defenders, so the club would be wise to sell a number of fringe talents when the transfer window opens in January.