Why Manchester United must go all out for Benjamin Pavard in January
What was the first reaction of the media and the fans after Manchester United lost to Brighton & Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur? Yes, that United need world-class centre-backs to save their sinking ship. Well, that’s correct. But it’s not just the central defence that needs to be rebuilt. It is also the right-back position.
Antonio Valencia plays as the right-back for United and has been doing that since 2014. He has done a decent job but he is not a natural right-back. He was bought by Sir Alex Ferguson in 2009 to play as a right-winger. For a club of Manchester United’s stature with ambitions to win the Premier League, a specialist right-back is needed at all costs.
World Cups often provide the stage for footballers to show their true class and this time, one of the French players certainly caught everyone’s eye. Benjamin Pavard was a class act for the French national team as he helped his teammates win the grand prize. His goal against Argentina in the Round of 16 was probably the best goal scored in Russia this summer.
Pavard had a great season with Stuttgart as well, starting all 34 games in the Bundesliga. Across the whole season, he made 182 clearances, 70 interceptions and successfully completed 40 tackles as Stuttgart finished 7th.
A recent report by The Sun suggested that Stuttgart had rejected United’s bid for the French World Cup winner in the summer. But United must check the resolve of the German club in the winter transfer window. Valencia is already 33 and new signing Diogo Dalot is just 19 and unproven at the highest level. Jence, a move for the 22-year-old Pavard could work in favour of all parties involved.
If the deal goes through, United will receive a right-back who can also fill in at the heart of defence if needed. Stuttgart won’t let him leave on the cheap but Manchester City proved last season that spending money on quality full-backs can be as important as spending on a star striker.
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For Pavard, he could finally have a big money move to a huge club where he will have the chance to perform at the Theatre of Dreams week in and week out.
