Nicolas Otamendi is a better option than Sergio Ramos for Manchester United
Reports have linked Manchester United to various central defenders throughout the summer transfer window, with Valencia’s Nicolas Otamendi and Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos being the most commonly linked.
Either one of the commanding center backs would make the Red Devils a better side, but would also cost a pretty penny. So, who is the better option for the Red Devils?
Here are five reasons why Otamendi is the better option for Manchester United.
1. Otamendi is a natural fit next to Manchester United’s current central defenders:
While Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal prefers to have a left footer paired with a right footer, Otamendi would make a good partner with United’s current crop of defenders.
Smalling improved greatly on-the-ball last season and Otamendi is a prototypical defensive stopper. Otamendi-Smalling would bring back a similar dynamic to the Nemanja Vidic-Rio Ferdinand partnership.
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If van Gaal wanted to pair Otamendi with a left-footed player, then Marcos Rojo would be a logical choice as they have plenty of experience playing together as two of Argentina’s first choice defenders. Otamendi would be more than capable of covering for Rojo’s aggressiveness.
2. Otamendi is a better defender than Ramos:
Not only was Otamendi the best defender in La Liga last season, but he was one of the best players overall.
According to whoscored.com, Otamendi finished with an average match rating of 7.59 in La Liga last season, ranking behind only Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, James Rodriguez, Luis Suarez and Gareth Bale. Ramos finished 15th with a 7.42 average match rating.
Otamendi started 35 games to Ramos’ 27, while playing 844 more minutes. Otamendi earned seven man-of-the-match awards while Ramos earned one. Otamendi averaged more tackles and interceptions per game while conceding fewer fouls than Ramos. Heading in goals is one of the chief strengths of Ramos, but Otamendi is just as good as he chipped in six goals to just four for Ramos last league season.
3. A deal for Otamendi is less complicated than one for Ramos:
Manchester United do not want to sell David De Gea. Real Madrid do not want to sell Sergio Ramos. United insist the only way De Gea is leaving for Real Madrid is if Ramos joins the Red Devils, and Real insist Ramos is going nowhere. Meanwhile, bringing Otamendi to Old Trafford is as simple as activating his release clause.
By signing Otamendi as opposed to Ramos, United could keep De Gea until his contract expires next season. United make more than enough money to overcome the loss of De Gea on a free transfer next season, and are a better side by signing Otamendi and keeping De Gea. Otamendi and one more season of De Gea makes United a better side than Ramos and a replacement keeper like Jesper Cillessen of Ajax.
4. Nicolas Otamendi wants to join Manchester United:
There is no doubt Otamendi simply wants to join United, so much so that he is threatening to sit out Valencia’s pre-season in order to push through a transfer to Old Trafford.
This move is drastic, for sure, but it makes sense for Otamendi as he is approaching the age where the biggest clubs are hesitant to pay massive fees for a player who might begin to decline physically once they hit the wrong side of 30. Otamendi would be highly motivated to take advantage of his first, and possibly only, chance to play for a side with a chance to win prestigious competitions such as the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.
5. Otamendi is the younger, cheaper option:
Otamendi is aged 27 years, while Ramos is 29. The age difference is not a big deal in and of itself, but with the likely astronomical fee United would have to pay to acquire Ramos, it makes sense to target the younger and cheaper Otamendi.
Throw in the fact that Otamendi outperformed Ramos last season and it’s a no-brainer.
All of that being said, both Otamendi and Ramos are fantastic players who would each make United a better side.