Manchester United truly boast a roster of attacking players the likes of which has rarely been seen before. Between them, Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Radamel Falcao have scored almost 650 goals in their club careers and many more when internationals are considered. But Louis van Gaal is only a few injuries away from having to play one of them in defence.

An exaggeration, perhaps, but only just – after ending the Manchester derby with two midfielders in the back four, van Gaal is getting desperate. Injuries have of course played a major part and losing Marcos Rojo to a dislocated shoulder or Chris Smalling to an idiotic red card is out of van Gaal’s control, but the failure to sign a reliable centre-back with experience at the highest level is most definitely something that can be laid in part at the Dutchman’s feet.

Rojo came to Old Trafford on the back of the World Cup, where he was part of the Argentina squad that finished the tournament as runners-up. While he may not be completely alien to playing at centre-back he was often used as a wing-back by his country and reports suggested he was signed by United with that position in mind. Meanwhile, Toby Alderweireld, a title winner in Spain and one of the highest-scoring players of the week in EuroFantasyLeague, signed for Southampton with little fanfare or, it seems, interest from elsewhere.

Alderweireld was largely on the fringes at Atletico Madrid, unable to dislodge Diego Godin or Miranda at the heart of the defence. When he did play, he was often dragooned into covering at full-back, out of position, which was most definitely not on his agenda when leaving Ajax in the summer of 2013. With Godin and Miranda remaining at Vicente Calderon, Belgium international Alderweireld had to move on and Southampton, looking for someone to replace Dejan Lovren, welcomed him with open arms.

It’s easy to see why Ronald Koeman was so happy to see Alderweireld sign in. Alderweireld has played in six of Southampton’s 10 games and only let in three goals – Southampton have conceded twice in the four games Alderweireld has missed. He also showed in his brief time with Atletico that he has a goal in him, netting a crucial equalizer against Malaga in the penultimate game of the season. It was a point that kept Atletico’s fate in their own hands and set up a famous title win.

Alderweireld is only on loan with the Saints and time will tell if he makes a permanent move to the south coast next summer. More performances the calibre of his display at Hull and Alderweireld – still only 25 and with a future even brighter than his present – will be in huge demand, but a season that ends in European qualification could convince him to make the switch full-time. If not, United should be among his suitors as van Gaal looks to build a defence to match his attack.

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