Ezequiel Garay- Benfica
The centre back has been on United’s radar for awhile now and reports have suggested that the Red Devils’s were in contact with Benfica about signing Garay about six months ago. The Argentine is one of the most highly rated centre backs in Europe at the moment even though he isn’t playing for one of the biggest clubs on the continent. That could change this summer if United do end signing one of their long term targets. Moyes wants to strengthen United’s defence this summer with Rio Ferdinand and Nemenja Vidic getting older and more prone to long term injuries. Vidic has only played 23 games for United last season and missed most of the 2011/2012 season due to a serious injury. United have missed Vidic every time he hasn’t been in the team and Moyes wants to make sure that a quality replacement is ready should the Serb not be available for many games this season.
There has even been talk that Moyes could sell Vidic because he believes the Serb is currently to injury prone, with AC Milan thought to be interested in the centre back. All of this will rest on whether or not the Red Devils are able to complete the signing of Garay, with Benfica thought to be ready to accept a bid of around £20 million for the Argentine. Rio Ferdinand recently signed a one year contract at United but it is unknown whether he will start many games for the club this season, meaning Garay could be one of the clubs first choice centre back’s should he make the move to Old Trafford. Moyes may decide to partner Garay with highly rated centre back Phil Jones, who despite starting many games last season, failed to nail down a spot at the heart of United’s defence. Garay and Jones could form a formidable centre back pairing that could form the spine of Moyes first team for many years to come.