Manchester United: 5 defenders Jose Mourinho needs to target this summer

United have been looking shaky at the back lately. They might boast an impressive defensive record for the season but those whosoever follows the team would know about the major malfunctions in that back-line. In no way do they appear to be the team with a typical "Jose defence".

When facing an opposition which fancies its chances on the ball, the back-line of United seem vulnerable. Players like Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young are aging and need to be replaced as soon as possible.

The centre-backs like Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo and Eric Bailly have spent more time on physio's table than on the pitch, in 2017/18.

Jose cannot rely solely on these players ahead of a crucial 2018/19 season. This summer, United need to invest in new defenders.

Here is a list of players, the Red Devils must put on their shopping-list for the summer.

The statistics have been derived from squawka.com

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#5 David Luiz

Luiz has been kept out of action by Conte this season.

Until this season, there was never any love lost between Chelsea and David Luiz. The Brazilian centre-back was reportedly involved in an argument with Conte following their 3-0 away defeat by Serie A side AS Roma in the Champions League group stages in October.

Since then, the 30-year-old has barely featured under the Italian and was heavily linked with a potential move away from the club during the January transfer window.

Following the end of this season, he'll enter the final year of his contract and given just how he's fallen out with the boss, it's unlikely that he'll remain in west London beyond the current campaign.

He regularly attracts interest due to his versatility and at 30, he's reaching the peak years of his career and would want to move if first-team football is guaranteed elsewhere.

United have been linked with the player who could be shown the exit door in London. It should not be a surprise to see yet another Blues' star joining the Red Devils, given his ability to play in the midfiled and the defence while being a constant threat from set-plays.

#4 Alex Sandro

The left-back is on the wish list of many teams

Alex Sandro, the Juventus left-back was heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2017. However, the deal could not get any breakthrough then.

The 27-year-old is a sublime dribbler and crosser of the ball. He is among the best players in the position at the moment.

Defensively, the player is equally effective as his tackling and positioning make him the man to beat. The defender has a passing accuracy of 86% and has created 20 goal scoring chances for the team in 17 league appearances this season.

Sandro is a highly rated player in Serie A and considered to be the ideal player to have in the team. Juventus have slapped a price-tag of close to £52 million on the player.

Manchester United and Chelsea are understood to be interested in the player ahead of the summer.

He would be a quality addition to the team and solve the woes at the left-back for the club for some foreseeable future.

#3 Thomas Meunier

The Belgian is struggling for game time at Parc des Princes

PSG have a star-studded line-up and a promising bench.

Thomas Meunier is one among those who are finding it difficult to break into the first XI because of the world-class players already there.

The Belgian is widely regarded to be one of the best right-backs in the world at the moment. However, he has been struggling for game-time in Paris because of Dani Alves who regularly features in the role.

The 26-year-old has been on PSG's bench on eleven occasions in the league alone. He has constantly been subjected to speculations of a move away from the French capital.

Manchester United, in recent months, have vastly been linked with the defender. A sum close to £36 million is reportedly been demanded by PSG for their star.

He would be a quality addition to the current United defence and Mourinho would improve the player defensively while his attacking abilities are unquestionable.

#2 Fabinho

The Brazilian has been impressive to watch with Monaco so far.

The 24-year-old is a hot prospect in Europe at the moment. He played a crucial role in Monaco's Ligue 1 title in 2016/17. The Brazilian has expressed his desire to leave the club for a new challenge.

Those who have watched him play would know that Fabinho certainly ticks all the boxes to be a world-class player. He started his career as a right-back but moved to the holding midfield role.

The player has made 37 appearances so far this season where he has scored six and created five from the defensive midfield position.

His versatility has appealed Mourinho greatly as he will look to replace the retiring Michael Carrick, too, in the summer. If United manage to sign Thomas Meunier as the specialist right-back, the player could still fill in the holding midfield.

Reports in England already claim that the player would join the Red Devils this summer in a £45 million deal.

Fabinho could be a long-term replacement for Valencia and at the same time provide depth in United's midfield.

#1 Toby Alderweireld

The Belgian has been in sublime form in recent seasons

Toby Alderweireld is probably the most wanted man on the list. The Belgian defender is widely considered to be the among the best defenders not only in England but continent-wide. During his spell at the London club, he has proved himself to be worthy of the tag.

The player takes as much as five defensive actions per game in the league and has a passing accuracy of 86% in 2017/18.

The 29-year-old is reported to be unhappy with his wages at the London club. He would enter the last 12 months of his contract at the end of the current season. With Spurs reluctant to hand him the desired wages, it could force them into selling the player.

In him, United would get a player with a lot of Premier League experience. He could ease the workload off Eric Bailly's shoulders while forming a formidable center-back partnership with the Ivorian.

A large number of rival clubs like Chelsea and Manchester City are interested in the player. Red Devils would need to make an efficient and early move for the player in the summer.