Manchester United To Do Business For £20m To Sign Brazilian Defender

Manchester United have identified Atletico Madrid defender Joao Miranda as a potential January signing and are preparing a bid of £20m according to reports. Miranda, who was instrumental in Atletico’s La Liga triumph last season is contracted with the club until 2016, so the offer could be hard to turn down for the Atleti representatives and Diego Simeone.

The 30-year old is at the peak of his career and might consider the attractive option of the Premier League. United manager Louis Van Gaal wants to strengthen his defense as it has been their biggest weak link this season. They lie seventh in the League and have conceded 14 goals in 11 games. They even let in four goals against League 2 side MK Dons not so long ago. The defense has impressed in the last few games but is still a cause for concern as the likes of Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans are prone to committing mistakes every now and then.

United have been linked with a host of defenders this season with likes of Mats Hummels, Gerard Pique and Ron Vlaar being linked frequently. Miranda’s addition to that list definitely make it even better as the Brazilian international has the necessary pedigree of playing in a good league with a top side. His experience and leadership will come handy as United have lacked that at the back.

Miranda has been somewhat of a late bloomer and he could get even better.Since joining from Sao Paulo for a free transfer in 2011, he has made just 157 appearances, but the bulk of those have come in the last three years as he has been the mainstay of the team along with Diego Godin. Van Gaal failed to replace club stalwarts Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic after their departures to QPR and Inter respectively and it has come to haunt them.