Manchester United Transfers: Centre-Back Is a Priority for Sir Alex Ferguson

At present, Manchester United is in dire need of a centre-back to help shore up a defense that has allowed 12 goals in nine Premier League fixtures.

The 6-1 thrashing from arch rivals Manchester City hasn’t helped things, either.

With Man Utd veterans Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic currently sidelined with niggling injuries, Sir Alex Ferguson has had to call on the services of the younger generation of defenders—Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones.

The young Red Devils have accounted for themselves well, but the lack of a consistent centre-back at the heart of the Man Utd defense has become glaringly obvious.

It’s less than three months before the 2012 January window opens, and that’s the time Ferguson and the Man Utd hierarchy should make their play.

Here are four centre-backs that Ferguson should target come January.

4.Giorgio Chiellini

Giorgio Chiellini
Age: 27
Height: 6’1”
Nationality: Italian
Club: Juventus
Position: Centre-back/Left-back

The defensive stalwart has pace in abundance, is dominating in the air and has excellent tackling ability.

Chiellini is also the typical Italian hard-man prototype—he takes no prisoners.

Be that as it may, the Italian international is widely recognized as one of the best defenders in the world.

While Chiellini was injured in early 2010, Juventus sorely missed his presence—they went on a despondent run, conceding nine goals in four games.

Chiellini had signed a contract with Juventus until 2011, but that contract has now been extended to 2015.

At this point in time, the possibility of Man Utd securing his services looks slim at best, but a lucrative offer might tempt the Italian to the Theatre of Dreams.

3.Jan Vertonghen

Jan Vertonghen
Age: 24
Height: 6’2”
Nationality: Belgium
Club: Ajax
Position: Centre-back/Left-back/Defensive midfielder

The 24-year-old would be a welcomed addition to a Man Utd side which at present is lacking cohesive structure in their defense.

Vertonghen is one of most versatile defenders in the world and a definite star in the making.

He’s great at set pieces, can score goals and has a left foot to die for. Vertonghen is also an exemplary passer of the ball and possesses the archetypal defender's mentality to boot.

His former teammate, Thomas Vermaelen, currently plies his trade at Arsenal, and there’s the likelihood Vertonghen might want to follow suit.

Nonetheless, the Belgium international has also attracted interest from the likes of Barcelona, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City, which means a move to Arsenal is not necessarily set in stone.

Vertonghen has said, however, that he’d like to see out his contract at Ajax, which runs until June of 2013.

On the other hand, the Ajax captain has hinted on several occasions that he wants to leave the Dutch outfit at the end of the current season.

So a Vertonghen acquisition isn’t out of the question for Man Utd.

2.Neven Subotić

Neven Subotić
Age: 22
Height: 6’4”
Nationality: Serbia
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Position: Centre-back

Subotić has been on Sir Alex Ferguson’s radar for a while now, and if the opportunity presents itself, the Man Utd boss will be sure to make his move.

A player of Subotić’s physical presence would be a handful for any striker, as he’s both solid in the air and on defense.

Apart from his physical attributes, he’s also good at set pieces, and, at only 22, exudes a confidence and calmness on the field.

The Serbian international's current contract with Dortmund expires in less than two years, and given the club's recent spate of woeful performances in the Champion’s League, an offer from Man Utd might just be enough to convince the youngster to jump ship.

His £20 million price tag wouldn’t scare off the Red Devils either, as Man Utd’s chief executive David Gill has reassured Ferguson that money is on hand to spend when the transfer window re-opens.

1.Mats Hummels

Mats Hummels
Age: 22
Height: 6’3”
Nationality: German
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Position: Centre-back/Defensive midfielder

Hummels and Neven Subotić are the first choice centre backs for the German outfit, and have a knack for working in tandem.

In the 2010-11 season, Hummels and Subotić helped Dortmund compile the best defensive record in the Bundesliga.

Most recently the German international has garnered accolades for his great tackling, composure on the ball, awareness and positioning.

At present, Hummel is rated as one of the best defenders in the Bundesliga.

Whether he can be lured away depends on what Man Utd are willing to offer both he and the club.

Another stumbling block might be Dortmund’s reluctance to see one of their prized possessions leave.

If a deal can be thrashed out, Hummel could renew his partnership with Subotić—only this time in a Man Utd shirt.