Diego Godin, Goncalo Guedes: Reported Man Utd transfer targets profiled
Friday 17 April 2020 11:41, UK
With Manchester United currently sixth in the Premier League, rumours of Jose Mourinho adding reinforcements to his side in the January transfer window are beginning to circulate.
There seems to be a distinct possibility that the Red Devils will look to add a top-class centre-back while they also continue to be linked with dynamic attacking midfielders.
Atletico Madrid stalwart Diego Godin and Benfica exciting winger Goncalo Guedes are two such players reportedly attracting interest from Old Trafford - and we've taken a look at what they could offer United.
After a late Leighton Baines penalty saw Everton hold United to a third-successive 1-1 draw in the Premier League, Mourinho's now lie 13 points behind leaders Chelsea, nine behind fourth-place Manchester City and with just one victory to their name since sweeping champions Leicester aside on September 24.
Mourinho claims his team's performances have not been reflected by results - a point which carries some weight with United more entertaining under the Portuguese than they have been for some time.
However, the fact they have surrendered so many points from winning positions in games which they have dominated with be a worry.
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With a potential reduction in sponsorship on the horizon, should the club fail to quality for the Champions League for the second season in a row, it seems highly likely United will look to improve their squad in January, and turn their positive performances into victories.
Diego Godin
Uruguay centre-back Diego Godin is regarded as one of the best defenders in world football, and The Sun reported last month that United were plotting a January bid for the 30-year-old.
Since moving to Atletico Madrid from Villarreal in 2010, Godin has made more than 200 appearances for Los Colchoneros, forming the foundation on which Diego Simeone's side broke Real Madrid and Barcelona's stranglehold on the La Liga title in 2013/14 and secured two Champions League final appearances.
Atletico have one of the most organised and resolute defences in Europe, and Godin's experience and leadership has been key in its development.
This season, the 106-cap defender has started 13 of Atleti's 14 league games and has been an ever-present in the Champions League.
In 1440 minutes of action, Godin has made 17 tackles, won 60.9 per cent of his aerial duels and won 105 total duels.
By contrast, United's backline has been unsettled this term. Eric Bailly, signed from Villarreal for £30m this summer, enjoyed a superb start to life at Old Trafford before suffering knee-ligament damage in October's heavy defeat at Chelsea to which he is yet to recover.
Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, Chris Smalling and Daley Blind have also featured in the heart of the United defence this season.
Smalling has featured in 770 minutes of action this season and has made five tackles and won 45 duels. Compared with Godin, the England international averages one tackle every 154 minutes and a successful duel every 17.1 minutes, compared to the Uruguayan who makes a tackle every 84.7 minutes and wins a duel every 13.7 minutes.
Smalling boasts a better success rate in aerial dues with an impressive 78.6 per cent, but Godin's superior reading of the game really comes to the fore when analysing the amount of interceptions the two players have made this season.
Godin has made a total of 47 interceptions - an average of one every 30 minutes - to Smalling's nine.
With Bailly yet to return to full fitness and set to miss more games in January due to his participation in the African Cup of Nations, it stands to reason United would be in the market for defensive reinforcements.
With his release clause reportedly set at £30m, Godin would represent a fairly costly purchase for a player of his age. However, his quality and experience is beyond question and, should United opt to pursue him, he would certainly improve their defensive options.
Goncalo Guedes
Benfica winger Goncalo Guedes has been labelled the 'new Ronaldo' thanks to his speed, skill and eye for a goal, and the Daily Mirror report United are keeping tabs on the 20-year-old as they mull a January move.
One of the factors that gives credence to the rumour is that Guedes is a client of 'super-agent' Jorge Mendes, who is a close friend and agent of United boss Mourinho.
Stung by missing out on another Portuguese youngster, Renato Sanches, who left Benfica for Bayern Munich this summer, it is understood United will not delay in their efforts to sign Guedes.
Capable of playing on either wing, at No. 10 or as a second striker, the versatile 20-year-old has been earning rave reviews for his performances at the Estadio da Luz.
Regarded as a prospect of some note for several years, the young forward represented Portugal at every youth level before making his senior debut last year.
This season, he has scored four goals, registered two assists and maintained an impressive pass-completion rate of 84.5 per cent, which suggests that while being creative and willing to take a risk, he is precise and responsible in possession.
Having sold Sanches for €35m (£29.6m) Benfica would likely look for a similar fee if they are to part with their latest young star.
