Manchester United have been linked with Braga centre-back David Carmo recently, and the Brazilian could form an excellent partnership with Raphael Varane under Erik ten Hag next season.
What's the word?
According to the Manchester Evening News, the Red Devils have already held two rounds of talks with the 22-year-old defender and have him ready as a backup plan should their move for Ajax wonderkid Jurrien Timber fall through.
Considering that Dutch news outlet De Telegraaf have reported that the latter is now considering staying at Ajax in order to boost his World Cup chances due to the regular football on offer with the Eredivisie champions, Ten Hag may well end up turning to the Braga ace as he looks to bolster his defensive options at Old Trafford.
Imagine him and Varane
Ten Hag arrives at Old Trafford with a number of defensive options. However, given the disappointing form of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof in particular, with both averaging below a 6.7 rating across the 2021/22 season from WhoScored, the 52-year-old may well be looking for a more assured partner for Varane at the heart of a back-four.
Carmo has certainly caught the eye for Braga in recent years, recovering from a serious ankle injury to play a part in their Europa League run this season, while he also averaged a solid 6.75 rating from WhoScored for his performances in the Primeira Liga.
As a left-footed centre-back, he would also offer Ten Hag something new in the centre of United's defence, as Maguire predominantly featured on the left-hand side of the back four in the 2021/22 season and was guilty of numerous errors which led to goals.
Braga manager Carlos Carvalhal was full of praise for Carmo after he made his return from injury last season, saying: “He is a fantastic centre back, one of the best in the country. He gives us a lot defensively, but offensively he is a super player, has speed on the ball, gives speed to our game and finds players near and far with long passes. We need a player like him and we will continue to operate with him in the team.”
With a more assured, left-footed option next to him in defence, Varane could be relied upon to produce the sort of performances which made him so successful at Real Madrid.
Therefore, Ten Hag and United must consider bringing Carmo to Old Trafford this summer.
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