Manchester United Reportedly Join Race For Barcelona’s Yerry Mina

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Manchester United’s chase for the centre-back continues. After Toby Alderweireld and Harry Maguire from the Premier League clubs, it was Jerome Boateng who was mentioned as a potential signing. However, as that has looked unrealistic and just media rumours, another one surfaced. Yerry Mina is reportedly new Manchester United target.

The Colombian centre-back currently plays for Barcelona but the situation for him at Blaugrana does not bode too well. Mina did not enjoy his first half season in Catalunya, even talking publicly about that on couple of occasions. He said that he does not feel too well at Barca and that he was not happy for not playing enough. If that was not enough, Barcelona signed Clement Lenglet from Sevilla just a week ago.

That means that Ernesto Valverde now has five centre-backs. Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti will be starters, Lenglet will try and push for the place in the team, while there are also Mina and Vermalaen, As Valverde prefers working with smaller squads, of around 21 players, one of them is expected to leave. Yerry Mina had a great World Cup this summer and that makes him a better candidate to earn a nice move.

Mina famously scored three goals for Colombia in his four matches in the tournament, all three coming from headers after set-pieces. His overall defensive display was pretty good, as well, but should Manchester United really go for him?

The Catalan media are saying United are now the favourites for signing him. This should be looked at with reserve, as the media from that region are trying to find Mina a transfer to a new club. Manchester United really do need a centre-back and thus the link with the club is being made. Also, United being interested could bring his price to a new rise.

United, on the other hand, do not need this type of a centre-back. What the Devils need now is a commanding centre-back who will be a leader of this team. United have a leader in at least two other lines of play – maybe even three if Paul Pogba continues playing like he did at World Cup – and they now need a leader in the heart of defence. Yerry Mina would be a good option for 2nd or 3rd centre-back in this team, but definitely not being the main centre-back.

Of course, Mina has his qualities. His physical strength is good to see. At 23 he can still improve immensely and potential is there. His passing is good, not spectacular, and his presence in the air and defensive duties is obvious. Yet, that is not enough for Manchester United right now. If United had a centre-back that is among top 5 or top 10 centre-backs in the world, then Mina could have worked. Right now, this would be a rushed move.

That said, Manchester United should keep looking elsewhere. The time is running out pretty quickly and Jose Mourinho needs solutions. If Manchester United are to truly compete for anything more than a mere fourth place in Premier League, a new centre-back is an urgent priority.

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