The Red Devils want a new centre-back in January.
Manchester United’s form so far in 2014/15 shows that they are desperately in need of defensive recruitment in the January transfer window after losing Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic over the summer.
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A new centre-back appears to be a priority and a number of candidates have been linked with a move to Old Trafford in recent times.
Here CaughtOffside ranks which of them would be the best for the Red Devils.
7. Ron Vlaar, Aston Villa
The Villa captain has entered the final year of his current contract with the Birmingham club and therefore they are likely to be open to selling him in the New Year, with Arsenal also showing interest.
Louis van Gaal knows the 29-year-old well from their time working together with the Netherlands national team, but until the 2014 World Cup not many thought Vlaar was a top-class defender and his age also works against him.
Ranking: 4/10.
Source: Mirror.
6. Winston Reid, West Ham United
Last season this New Zealand international was building a great reputation for himself before injury struck him down and the fickleness of football saw the Hammers star forgotten.
This term Reid is back and with West Ham playing well once again attention has turned towards the 26-year-old, but to have no European experience at this stage in his career would be a concern.
Ranking: 6/10.
Source: talkSPORT.
5. Gerard Pique, FC Barcelona
Surprisingly after achieving so much for his club and the Spain national team over the past few years, new Barca head coach Luis Enrique really doesn’t rate Pique.
The 27-year-old previously spent four years with United between 2004 and 2008, although never made an impact on the team and his recent sulking suggests he may have lost the drive to succeed.
Ranking: 6.5/10.
Source: Mirror.
3=. Joao Miranda, Atletico Madrid
Having won La Liga and reached the Champions League final in 2013/14 many Atleti players were hot property for rich sides across the continent and indeed Chelsea made a swoop on the Vicente Calderon Stadium.
Miranda stayed however and continues to prove his prowess at the back, with the Spanish champions’ success coming less from individuals (note Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo) and more a collective effort.
Ranking: 7/10.
Source: Daily Star.
3=. Aymeric Laporte, Athletic Bilbao
Still only 20-years-old this Frenchman is considered to be one of the brightest young players in European football and is developing well in the haven of homegrown talent that is Bilbao.
Although Laporte still has much to learn the potential of the starlet is clear for all to see, but whether he can be relied upon as the leader at the back straight away remains doubtful.
Ranking: 7/10.
Source: Metro.
2. Raphael Varane, Real Madrid
Despite the concerns over both the capability and temperament of Pepe, this Frenchman is still struggling to get game time under Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Jose Mourinho would love to bring Varane to the Blues, but Man United are in more need of a defender who already has top-class experience and yet is still just 21-years-old.
Ranking: 8/10.
Source: Daily Express.
1. Mats Hummels, Borussia Dortmund
Yet the man that van Gaal should really be striving to sign if there is only one is Dortmund skipper Hummels, who essentially looks to be the complete centre-back.
The World Cup winner may be tempted into leaving the Signal Iduna Park as well due to the club’s poor standings in the Bundesliga currently and his leadership qualities would make him the ideal addition in a shaky United defence.
Ranking: 9/10.
Source: Daily Express.