Man Utd's search for a new centre-back - including Todibo and Scalvini

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 30 Nov 2023 15:16 GMT
• 5 min read

Manchester United are on the lookout for a centre-back ahead of the January window. The club are currently struggling to keep out the goals and are in much-need of boosting their backline.

With Lisandro Martinez out with a long-term injury, and Harry Maguire, the former club captain, remaining on the fringes of the side, Erik ten Hag is searching for a solid addition to the side next year. The club are enduring a poor run of form, with question marks firmly hanging over the head of Andre Onana, whose mistakes have cost them matches.

But a fresh backline could see such calamities amended. The need for a central defender is absolutely pivotal in ensuring the season does not fall into a complete disaster for the Red Devils.

READ: Revealed: The Onana weakness opponents are told to exploit

We have taken a look at SciSports’ algorithm to see which players would be best suited for Man Utd, adding the filters of them being under 25 years old, being able to play on the right-side, ball-playing, and being valued no more than €50million.

Fikayo Tomori

Recently called up to the England squad by Gareth Southgate, Fikayo Tomori remains a key player for AC Milan following his move there from Chelsea. The defender ranks high in tackles per 90, the 25-year-old is a ball-playing centre-back who excels with his excellent recovery pace and ability to pick out a pass. Such qualities would serve Man Utd greatly, though the defender carries an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of € 45.8million.

READ: FPL price changes: Which Fantasy Premier League players have changed price for Gameweek 8?

Antonio Silva

Antonio Silva enjoyed a breakout season last term. The centre-back has been an asset for Roger Schmidt’s side, prompting interest from Liverpool, Real Madrid, as well as Man Utd over the course of the past year. The 19-year-old has a wealth of world-class qualities, and it is widely thought that he will be one of the best centre-backs in the world in the coming years.

Silva is another ball-playing defender, with a high work rate and an eye for a pass. His offensive attributes combined with his high volume of defensive actions make him an enticing prospect for a number of elite sides, including Man Utd. A sticking point will be his hefty release clause, though - of €100m.

Jean Clair Todibo

Jean Clair Todibo was linked with a move to Old Trafford over the summer but a transfer never materialised. The Nice player is highly confident in possession with an exceptional passing ability. His defensive numbers are solid, too, while he has an ETV of just €21.1m. The 23-year-old would represent a cheaper option for Ten Hag, who may wish to diversify his funds in the upcoming winter window.

Marc Guehi

Marc Guehi is another who was recently called up to the England squad by Southgate. The Crystal Palace man was extensively linked with a move away from Selhurst Park, too following his spellbinding form for Palace. The south London club may struggle to keep hold of him, especially if he continues in the same rich vein of form he’s in.

Despite being left-footed, Guehi can play on either side of the backline. The defender is good at making recoveries and can find a pass from distance. What’s most appealing about Guehi, though is his incredible potential. At just 23 years old, there is a long way to go until he reaches his peak years. No doubt having Premier League experience would be a huge benefit, too.

Goncalo Inacio

Goncalo Inacio signed a contract extension over the summer that saw his release clause rise to around £51m. It’s not a huge amount given the level of interest in the Portugal centre-back. Inacio is a multifaceted, ball-playing defender, who shines with his range of passing and dribbling skills.

The player’s defensive output is quite minimal in terms of numbers, but that’s not to say he is not decent a forcing turnovers and winning duels. Incacio would be able to fill in on the flank, too, when the wing-backs are injured - which must be an appealing prospect for Ten Hag at the moment given the amount of injuries he’s having to contend with.

Giorgio Scalvini

Giorgio Scalvini is only 19 but he’s already making waves at Atalanta. The Italian has already been linked to Man Utd despite having agreed a new contract with his current club in June. It’s certainly a new name to come into the fold - but Scalvini’s talent is clear: the Italy international yields a high volume of defensive actions per 90 minutes, while his Shot-Creating Actions, quite astoundingly, are in the 90th percentile.

Scalvini is a fine passer, but given how raw he is, his long-range drives carry a lower accuracy rating than others on this list, such as Tomori or Todibo. His ETV stands at €21.5m at present, but you suspect the Bergamo outfit he’s currently at will demand a higher sum than that.