Manchester United need to sign not one but two centre-backs this summer to fill the void left behind by Ferdinand and Vidic and another sensible acquisition would be Thomas Vermaelen. Vermaelen has been linked with a move to Old Trafford for much of the summer and eyebrows have been raised in some quarters considering he is 28 and out-of-favour at Arsenal. The Belgian international found himself drummed out of the Gunners' XI last season and made only 14 Premier League appearances, with manager Arsene Wenger preferring Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny. However, he'd provide the Red Devils with both experience and versatility. Vermaelen can play either centre-back or left-back, meaning he could fill the gaps left behind by Ferdinand and Vidic AND cover for Luke Shaw at fullback in the event of injury or lack of form. His presence would give van Gaal more defensive options and considering he is notably short of those at present, signing Vermaelen would be highly pragmatic.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
