Manchester United set to capture defender with 85% pass accuracy in Champions League

Manchester United are reportedly set to land long-term target Ezequiel Garay from Benfica

Manchester United are reportedly set to land long-term target Ezequiel Garay from Benfica in the summer, having tracked the Argentine defender for two-and-a-half years now, The Metro report.

Sir Alex Ferguson was a known admirer of Garay and a change of manager has not dulled United’s interest, with David Moyes also keen to bring him to Old Trafford, having failed to settle on a first choice defensive partnership in his six months in charge.

The under pressure Scotsman has looked to Garay to bolster his faltering back-line and may find more joy than his predecessor, with Benfica willing to deal, providing any transfer is held off until the conclusion of the season.

Garay has found his career rejuvenated at Estadio de Luz after struggling to make an impact at Real Madrid, impressing for Benfica in their recent Champions League campaigns.

Ferguson had made repeated enquiries about Garay, only to find them consistently rebuffed, but the Portuguese outfit appear to have relaxed their stance with the defender’s contract having just 18 months left to run.

A deal could be struck for as little as £8m at the end of the season, which will come as welcome relief to Moyes, with Nemanja Vidic’s contract set to expire and Rio Ferdinand contemplating retirement from the game after an injury hit past couple of seasons.

Will Garay be what United need to rejuvenate their squad?

Garay brings plenty of Champions League experience having featured for Benfica in this year’s competition, playing all six games as they unfortunately missed out on progression to the knockout rounds, dropping into the Europa League.

The Argentine won 56% of his tackles and made 37 clearances in his six appearances in Europe’s Premier competition, he has also completed 85% of his passes.

Ezequiel Garay’s stats