Moroccan defender seemingly set for Old Trafford.
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Highly rated AS Roma centre back Mehdi Benatia is set to perform a u-turn and sign for Manchester United rather than Premier League rivals Chelsea, according to reports from the Metro this evening.
Both Chelsea and United have repeatedly been linked with a move for the £30m rated Moroccan, but it now appears that Louis van Gaal’s side are edging ahead in the chase for Benatia – possibly due to desperation following the exposure of United’s lack of defensive cover during their opening day defeat against Swansea City at Old Trafford.
Van Gaal has only brought two significant senior players to Old Trafford this summer, in the form left back Luke Shaw and central midfielder Ander Herrera, but the Swans ruthlessly displayed just how short United still are, with just a fortnight left of the transfer window.
The 27 year-old played a starring role for AS Roma last season as they secured an impressive second place finish in Serie A, helping for form one of Europe’s tightest back lines.
The former Marseille trainee is now a long-serving Serie A stalwart, having also impressed with Udinese prior to making the move to the Stadio Olimpico.
He would certainly be able to help plug the gaps that are clear in a United defence that saw youngsters Jesse Lingard and Tyler Blackett drafted in for their opening match.
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