5. Andrea Ranocchia
With Rio Ferdinand now 34 and centreback partner Vidic 31, Sir Alex Ferguson will have to start looking ahead to the time he has to replace one or both of them with fresh and younger talent. Both have had their share of injuries of late, Ferdinand his back and Vidic his knee, and neither can carry on forever. If recent reports are to be believed, Ferguson has had his eye on Inter Milan centreback Andrea Ranocchia since at least September this year, even going as far as to send scouts to watch him in action. (source -
football italia). The 24 year old has established himself this season as one of Milan's best players, and has shown his willingness to put his body on the line and make well timed tackles and interceptions when it counts. These attributes have helped put a £12million price tag on his head. Given that he only signed for Inter last season, that could be slightly more, but Ferguson could expect to snap up the young Italian for no more than £15million.