Top 4 alternatives to Victor Lindelof in the Manchester United squad

Manchester United’s dismal performance over the weekend must have sent shivers down the spines of most fans. The Red Devils were lethargic, slow, and lost at times. There was a lack of ideas all around the pitch, which will be alarming from a side that just finished third in the previous campaign. And to let in 3 goals against a side that scored the second-lowest goals in the league last season was simply unacceptable for fans.

Victor Lindelof’s horror-show at the heart of the Manchester United defence reignited the recent debate: is the United backline good enough?

Also Read: Manchester United 1-3 Crystal Palace – 5 Men who were poor for the Red Devils

Manchester United signing a new centre-back unlikely

A new center back to pair Harry Maguire was thought to be a requirement for the Red Devils, even though it was not high up in the transfer agenda of the Old Trafford hierarchy. However, this defeat and the manner in which the Manchester United backline was ripped open by Crystal Palace has opened up the discussion once again. Fans would love either of Kalidou Koulibaly or Dayot Upamecano to take up the role. Even Gary Neville seemed to suggest that the center back position deserved greater attention than the right wing.

However, chances are that Manchester United will not alter their transfer strategy this summer. This means that Jadon Sancho remains the prime target and the only defensive addition, if any, could see the arrival of Brazilian full-back Alex Telles from Porto. It is not the best scenario for fans, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer might have to make do with the players at his disposal, at least until the winter. That forces the Red Devils to look to their squad for a better alternative to Victor Lindelof.

Today, we take a look at the top four players from the current Manchester United squad who Solskjaer could partner with Maguire. With Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo both starting just twice and once respectively last season, both players have not been considered in this list.

#4 Teden Mengi

The 18-year-old rose through the ranks at the United academy and soon had his coaches gushing about his qualities. The Manchester United Under-18 skipper was so impressive that he was promoted to the Under-23 set up last year. He was also called up to the senior team last season and was an unused substitute in the away defeat to Astana in Europa League.

He made his debut for the Manchester United senior team against LASK in the Europa League last month and showed promise during his cameo. This season, he has been promoted to the senior team squad and has been handed the number 43 shirt.

Mengi has all the attributes of a proper center back. He is fast, strong and great in the air. He displays calmness beyond his years in one-on-one situations, and has a wise head on his shoulders. His attitude and commitment have impressed all his coaches and many are tipping him to be a future Manchester United skipper.

Solskjaer himself is a big fan, comparing him to Matthijs De Ligt at one point.

"We always had that in the back of our minds, that our Academy will provide players and Teden has definitely impressed me. Teden’s got something special in him. It’s about picking the right moment to give him a chance."

However, Solksjaer also hinted that he would exercise caution with the player.

"It’s different trusting defenders on the big stage, of course it is. You’ve got to make sure he’s ready for it. Defenders, you’ve got to make sure they’re ready because you can’t really know how they’ll react if they make a mistake."

Teden Mengi certainly is ready for the next level, so he could be an option the Manchester United manager could look towards at the moment.

#3 Axel Tuanzebe

Axel Tuanzebe was supposed to hit the next level and push for a first team place last season. His rise from the United academy had been meteoric. And after returning from a successful loan spell with Aston Villa in the 18/19 season, a lot of people were expecting him to relegate Lindelof to the bench in 2019/20. Unfortunately, Tuanzebe had a tough time with injuries and managed to make just 5 appearances all season for Manchester United, none of which were in the league.

The Englishman was pushing for a place in the first team when he picked up a hip injury. That was followed by a Hamstring injury that kept him out until the break of the season due to the Coronavirus. During the break, he required foot surgery to treat an injury and has not yet returned to full fitness. However, there’s no denying that when a 100% fit, Tuanzebe has the ability to oust Lindelof and become the long standing partner to Harry Maguire at the heart of the Manchester United defence.

Tuanzebe was fantastic for Villa in 1v1 situations. He is fast and strong, which makes getting past him quite a task. He embraces the physical aspects of the game and is rarely bullied off the ball. His excellent positioning and sound awareness of the game make him an enticing prospect. He also has a tendency to step out of the defence and is excellent on the ball, qualities that will endear him to Solskjaer.

The Englishman is expected to return from injury by the end of this month. United fans as well as Solskjaer will be desperate to see if Tuanzebe could solve their defensive problems and be the rock at the back that this Manchester United team is crying out for.

#2 Chris Smalling

Yes, Chris Smalling has his heart set on a move to AS Roma. Yes, he is training in a separate bubble ahead of his impending move. But a move has not materialized yet, and Manchester United could capitalize on that. Selecting the Englishman in a matchday squad would put the necessary pressure on his potential suitors and perhaps even force them to accelerate their plans. Besides, Smalling showed last season that he might still be a viable option for Solskjaer at Manchester United.

His loan spell in Italy was quite a success and the former Fulham player even managed to score 2 goals and picked up an assist. He was a constant threat in the opposition's box. Smalling transformed into one of the best defenders in the league as the season progressed and it is not a wonder that La Lupa want him back. Roma Manager Paulo Fonseca is clearly a fan and has openly praised Smalling more than once.

The Englishman suited Fonseca’s playing style and displayed impressive leadership skills at the back. Ideally, Smalling should have been behind Rojo and Jones in the list of Manchester United centre-backs who should be sold this season. Holding on to him a little longer might work in the favour of the Red Devils.

Smalling joined United almost a decade ago and never really lived up to the expectations. But he might not be the only one at fault. The Englishman struggled to form a steady defensive partnership during his time at Manchester United, having to pair up with Jones, Rojo, Daley Blind, Lindelof and Eric Bailly during his time. Some of them did not complement him. Others rarely managed to stay fit enough to forge an understanding. In captain Harry Maguire, Manchester United finally have a steady centerback and Smalling might actually benefit from his countryman’s constant presence by his side.

At 30 years old, the Englishman has loads of experience on his side. While he has not been the most trustworthy during his time at Old Trafford, he has made 323 appearances for the Red Devils. Manchester United could lean on to him until they find a better option, and perhaps Smalling would himself have a point to prove to everyone at the club.

#1 Eric Bailly

Eric Bailly is a paradox. He arrived with lots of promise and hit the ground running, impressing one and all with his style of play. He was a solid, no-nonsense defender who liked a good old tussle. He was tough, he was courageous, and he reminded fans of a certain Nemanja Vidic. But Bailly was not just brawns, he was sleek on the ball and had pace to burn. Manchester United fans had every right to be ecstatic at his arrival.

5 years later, the Ivorian still has Manchester United fans divided over him. There’s no doubt about his defending. He is tenacious, he covers the ground well, his tackles can range from outrageous to world class. Sometimes, he’s cool as a cucumber, leaving forwards frozen with a swift turn on the box. Then there’s the eccentric side that raises questions over his abilities. But his bane over the years has been fitness issues.

Bailly managed just 11 appearances for Manchester United last year, missing a chunk of the season while recovering from Knee surgery. Injuries have hurt his chances of staking a claim in the first team, but when fit, he has shown signs of great promise.

Solskjaer, for one, seems to trust him. The Norwegian has indicated recently that not only is Bailly back to full fitness, but he is also stronger than ever.

"Don't forget Eric Bailly. He missed up until February and missed more than half of the season. But he came back stronger and stronger and, towards the end of the season, he looked really strong. So I think we’ll see a lot of Eric. He’s looked really strong in training as well."

Ideally, the Ivorian should be a perfect foil to Maguire. He is the fast, strong defensive partner that the Manchester United skipper needs and the two of them could work off each other very well. Eric Bailly is the perfect alternative to Lindelof at Manchester United and we could see him alongside Maguire pretty soon.

Edited by Deepit Magee