Manchester United Step Up Chase For Cut Price World Cup Defender

Manchester United have decided to step up in their chase for Aston Villa defender Ron Vlaar reports Dailystar. The United manager Louis van Gaal is keen on bringing his Dutch compatriot to Old Trafford with a view to strengthening his backline. The Dutch defender is out of contract at Villa at the end of the season and could move away from the club as a free transfer. Villa hope that the 29 year old will stay with the club till the end of the season and then leave if he wishes to. Meanwhile, van Gaal insists that he would rather complete the deal now than wait till the end of the season.

United are preparing a £1.5m bid for the Dutch star and hope to reach an agreement with their domestic rivals. The former Feyenoord man cost the Premier League side around £4m when he made the move to the club three years ago and now plays a major role at the center of Villa’s defense. Van Gaal knows and acknowledges the importance of the player who played a major role at the center of the Dutch defensive line in the World Cup at Brazil. Though the Dutch side end their World Cup campaign at third place, the manager appreciated his efforts for the team.

Vlaar himself has shown interest in a move away from Villa Park, saying its the right time for change. Manchester United are themselves facing a lot of injury problems this season already and the manager has accepted the need for bringing in more players. Rafael and Luke Shaw added to the list of injured players in United’s 2-0 FA Cup win at Yeovil on Sunday confirming the need for more defensive backup. In Vlaar, United get an experienced defender, someone who might be able to lead the defensive line which has been a major problem for the Red Devils this season. The only one concern regarding Vlaar would be his recent knee injury at the World Cup which has kept him out of action for many of the games this season.