According to rumours in the European and British press Manchester United have reportedly completed a deal to bring Benfica’s Argentine centre-back Ezequiel Garay to Old Trafford next season.
The former Real Madrid defender has impressed with the Portuguese giants getting his career back on track in Lisbon after arriving in 2011 after an unfortunate two-year spell in Spain.
Towards the end of his spell in Madrid he was relegated to fourth-choice falling way down the pecking order under a certain Jose Mourinho. It was some fall for the defender who had risen to prominence in La Liga at Racing Santander.
Unlike other young players who have seen their stock nosedive after leaving Madrid, Garay has worked hard at Benfica and has caught the eye this season particularly after his performances against Barcelona and Celtic in the Champions League. He has also worked his way back into the Argentina set-up as well.
If signed he would help boost United’s defensive options which look strong for the future already despite the injury concerns over Nemanja Vidic and the long-term future of Rio Ferdinand who looks likely to earn an extension to his contract which runs out this summer.
Jonny Evans who in the past has been maligned heavily by the press and fans has been in outstanding form this season and looks to have turned the corner of complacency for good. Chris Smalling when fit has played well with the same also applying to Phil Jones who of course can cover in midfield. Scott Wootton and Michael Keane shouldn’t be forgotten too especially after the pair impressed against Chelsea in the Carling Cup despite the fact United did ship five at Stamford Bridge back in October.
It is worth noting that in recent years the likes of Ramires, Angel Di Maria and Manchester City’s Javi Garcia have all left Benfica to go onto bigger and better things so any fans writing off Garay’s ability may want to hold of their fears for a while. Then again this could well be just plain ‘paper talk’, after all weren’t United meant to be signing Benfica’s Nicolas Gaitain last year?
By Adam Dennehey @ADennehey87
