The main problem for Manchester United in recent weeks has been their defensive struggles, which were made evident in their recent 4-2 victory against Newport County, a League Two team, despite the attention being paid to a forward line that has only scored 24 goals in 21 Premier League games this season.

United stormed into a two-goal lead in the opening minutes of that needlessly stressful FA Cup match at Rodney Parade, but in a stirring comeback led by Graham Couglan’s team, debutant Altay Bayindir twice picked the ball out of the back of the net.

Even though Erik ten Hag’s team eventually advanced to the competition’s Fifth Round, the Red Devils have now given up two goals in five of their last six games across all competitions, with the exception of a clean sheet they earned away from lower league Wigan Athletic earlier this month.

Although such a dismal record may be the fault of the group as a whole, it has once again highlighted concerns about the long-term center-back partnership going forward, with veteran players Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire, and Victor Lindelof vying for position alongside Lisandro Martinez.

The purchase of a new central defender is now absolutely necessary, since there have been recent reports suggesting that all three of those right-footed possibilities, along with senior asset Jonny Evans, could be up for grabs this summer.

Todibo, Jean-Clair, Lisandro Martínez, Tottenham, Opinion
A deal this month may be unlikely due to FFP rules, but the Old Trafford team is already anticipating the summer window in hopes of signing a notable Italian target.

Man Utd is planning to sign a sensation from Serie A

Gleison Bremer, a great player for Juventus, is reportedly someone that United is eager to sign in 2024. According to Calciomercato, an Italian publication, the Premier League team has ‘already taken serious steps’ to find out whether the Brazilian would be willing to go to Manchester.

The story notes that the former Torino player may now fetch closer to €70m (£60m). He only moved to the Allianz Stadium in the summer of 2022 on a £34.8m transfer to replace the departing Matthijs de Ligt.

Glenison-Bremer Premier League transfers to Newcastle
After spending just under two years with the Bianconeri, it is thought that the 26-year-old would be receptive to offers from teams in England’s top flight. This raises expectations that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and company can finalise a deal this year.

The way that Gleison Bremer plays

Bremer, who has established himself as possibly the “best defender in Serie A today,” in the words of Juventus legend Sergio Brio, is somewhat of a “animal” at the centre of the defence, according to his former teammate Mergim Vojvod.

The former Atletico Mineiro player, hailed by Brio as “an exceptional player with great timing and positioning on the pitch,” has been a crucial part of Max Allegri’s championship-chasing team this season. Data analyst Ben Mattinson has called him a “monster.”

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With Martinez, another rising talent from South America, receiving such high marks, the three-cap Brazil international should be an ideal fit to play beside him. Luke Shaw called the Argentine a “monster” at centre back the previous season.

The World Cup winner has only recently returned from a protracted injury layoff, but his abilities were on display in the victory over Newport the other day. He made eight passes into the final third, which was a tie for most of his colleagues that day.

The 26-year-old’s impressive ability to drive forward from deep is demonstrated by the fact that he is in the top 3% of his European counterparts for successful take-ons per 90. He also combines this skill with a deft touch to recover possession, as evidenced by the fact that he is in the top 3% for tackles made per 90.

Thus, Bremer would be a good foil for the 5 foot 10 menace. The Juve player, who is 6 foot 2, is especially skilled in the air, ranking in the top 16% for aerial duels won per 90 and the top 4% for non-penalty goals.

A more creative, playmaking defender like Martinez combined with his physical dominance could be the ideal blend, and it’s easy to see why the £152k-per-week rock has been making waves in Serie A lately.

The stats for Gleison Bremer’s season

Bremer has started every game for the high-flying team in the competition thus far, and the Turin giants are currently only one point behind Inter Milan at the top of the league standings in Italy’s first division.

Villa-Juventus-Bremer Premier League stories about Torres’ transfer
The United target, who usually plays in a back three, has contributed to 11 clean sheets during that period. He also averages a commendable 2.6 tackles, 5.1 balls retrieved, and interceptions per game.

The towering ace’s defensive strength is demonstrated by his 61% victory rate in aerial duels. In addition, he possesses true poise when passing the ball, with an 86% pass accuracy rate and only eight possession losses per game.

Bremer’s 2023–24 league record–against particular Manchester United defenders

Statistics

Bremer

Rafael Varane

Harry Maguire

Lindelof, Victor

Games (beginnings)

22 (22)

12 (8)

11 (9)

12 (10)

Objectives

2.

1.

0

1.

Helps

0

0

1.

1.

pristine sheets

11

2.

3.

3.

Obtain a passing accuracy rate.

86%

89%

83 percent

90%

Per-game tackles and interceptions

2.6

1.5

2.1

1.6

Balls recovered in each match

5.1

3.8

3.6

4.1

Aerial combat prevailed.

61 percent

88%

72 percent

36 percent

Loss of possession throughout each game

8.0

4.8

9.5

6.3

Average rating for matches

7.16

6.99

7.14

6.95

Statistics sourced from Sofascore

Bremer compares highly to the current United players that could replace him at the Theatre of Dreams, as the above table shows. He has excelled in tackles, interceptions, and balls recovered per game in particular.

Ten Hag’s creation of a genuinely tantalising combination including the £60 million player and Martinez makes it evident why Allegri has labelled the highly sought-after talent as something of a “monster” and “animal.”