According to ESPN FC, Jose Mourinho has asked for the financial backing to sign Milan Skriniar. The Portuguese mastermind is keen on reinforcing the defensive department following a drab start to the season.
Skriniar has been identified as a top target after Manchester United‘s failed attempt to sign Toby Alderweireld, Diego Godin and Jerome Boateng in the transfer window. But, is the Inter Milan defender the kind of player United are looking for?
Skriniar – Player profile
Milan Skriniar has been a vital part of the Inter Milan defence ever since joining the Nerazzurri last summer for a fee of €27 million. During his first season with the club, the Slovakian international was one of only two players to have featured in every minute of Inter’s league campaign, along with goalkeeper Samir Handanovic.
His defensive exploits helped the club finish fourth in the final league standings and thereby, claw their way back into the Champions League.
This season, Skriniar has once again been a critical part of Inter’s defence though he has been benched a couple of times, most recently in the win over Cagliari at the end of last month.
That being said, the defender has still managed to rack up excellent numbers, having averaged almost three tackles per game as well as making 3.7 clearances. He also takes part in an average of three aerial duels per game, winning 1.8 of them.
His excellent ball-playing quality, however, is what makes him an appealing defensive prospect. His accurate passes across the lines can trouble teams, and he can also switch the play to keep the opposition occupied.
Why do Manchester United need Milan Skriniar?
Skriniar could be an excellent addition to Manchester United given the fact that he would be an instant upgrade on their current crop of defenders. The likes of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones all lack the ball-playing quality to prove helpful in the build-up, which, in turn, affects United’s dynamics in the final third.
Milan, in that regard, could be useful with his mesmerising passing abilities. Furthermore, unlike most of Manchester United’s summer targets, Skriniar is just 23 years old, making him an ideal candidate, who not only has the quality to improve United’s backline but he can also prove to be a long-term asset for the club.
Stat courtesy: Whoscored