David Moyes on a Ginter-mission in Germany?

Is Matthias Ginter considering his options?

With his side not playing this weekend owing to Manchester City’s involvement in the Capital One Cup final, David Moyes has once again set his sights on a European scouting trip. With his side continuing their woeful domestic form into Europe as well, defence has emerged as a key area of concern for Moyes.

With a plentiful war chest at his disposal and couple of key centre backs on their way out at the end of the season, it should come as no surprise to see Moyes in Germany on Friday conducting his latest European scouting mission with the centre of defence his key priority.

With Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels stating that he has no intentions of leaving if United aren’t in the Champions League next season, Moyes has turned his eyes elsewhere. The player he was reportedly looking at, was Freiburg’s £10million-rated centre back Matthias Ginter. The 20-year-old who is fast developing into one of the finest young centre backs in Germany has interested Moyes, with Arsenal and Bayern Munich reportedly also interested in him.

After a solid U21 European Championship, Ginter has certainly gone on from strength to strength in this current campaign. From making his debut barely 18 months ago to being a regular fixture this season, Ginter has already made 28 appearances this season and even has three goals to his name. Capable of coming out of defence with consummate ease and having an eagle eye for any balls played in, his defensive ability cannot be questioned.

Not only is he strong in the tackle, but also has a knack of being at the right place at the right time defensively speaking and his statistics speak for themselves. He is strong in the air and has the knack of coming out on top on the ground as well. Not only that, the German has demonstrated that he is versatile enough to play at not just the centre of defence but in the center of midfield as well. His more than handy passing range certainly is a boon, when he deputizes in the middle of midfield, as he has done in a few occasions this season.

Not just that, on top of his passing and his defensive qualities, there is one thing that stands out in his play above all else. And that is the fact that the German rarely fouls opponents. In fact, he has committed less than 10 fouls all season long. And when defenders go lunging into tackles and get themselves sent off, that is certainly an admirable trait – one that shouldn’t be scoffed at.

More than anything else, this team could really use some fresh blood in defence. And at a time when the future of the Red Devils defence looks bleak, the prospect of signing one of the most promising centre backs in Europe at the moment, would surely lighten the mood at Old Trafford. His versatility and his defensive ability mean that he would walk into most top European sides and at just £10m, he would certainly be a shrewd signing and one that bodes well for the future of the United back line.