Manchester United linked with move for Roma defender

Manchester United have identified another possible solution to their defensive problem, according to a report from Italian outlet Calciomercato. They claim Roma centre-back Kostas Manolas is the man Ed Woodward has his eye on, with the Greek centre-back available for a cut-price £30.8 million courtesy of a release clause in his contract.

Manolas, 27, has been a first-team regular in Rome since he joined from Olympiacos five years ago, making over 200 appearances in all competitions. A sequence of muscular injuries have slightly limited his gametime this season, though he’s still started all but seven of the giallorossi’s Serie A matches. They currently sit fifth in the table, and were eliminated from the Champions League by Porto in the first knockout round.

It’s difficult to imagine United supporters getting too excited about the prospect of signing Manolas — a player that remains a rung below Europe’s elite defenders. It’s not at all clear that he would represent an improvement on those already vying for the centre-back slots Old Trafford, even though at 27, he still got a few of his best years to come. We’d be surprised if this one goes through.