Dimitar Berbatov urges Manchester United to sign Chelsea contract rebel Antonio Rudiger and PSG star
Manchester United should sign Chelsea contract rebel Antonio Rudiger and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti this summer, according to Dimitar Berbatov.
Rudiger, a Germany international, is expected to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, and United has been linked with a deal.
Last summer, the Red Devils recruited Raphael Varane, a former Real Madrid defender, but the team’s defense has struggled this season, with Harry Maguire facing harsh criticism and Victor Lindelof also failing.
Rudiger, on the other hand, has been one of Chelsea’s best and most essential players in recent seasons, helping Thomas Tuchel’s team win the Champions League in May.
‘I have a little of difficulty at centre-back, certainly, but Manchester United definitely need to sign a centre-back,’ Berbatov told the Daily Express.
‘They have five players for that position, and things are still not going as planned.’ Because I’m concentrating on him, I’ll say Rudiger.
‘But, honestly, based on his performances, he’s a good fit.’ He’s a brawler. He’s a good passer, so he could be a good option.
‘I can envision Rudiger, or any player who is good enough to play in important football [games], going where he can win something, in the case of Rudiger.
‘I can’t fathom him moving somewhere where he won’t be able to win anything.’ And I’m saying this because, for what reason, United hasn’t won the Premier League. Is it already eight or nine years?
‘So if he moves somewhere else, he’ll be looking for a squad that can win titles, cups, and medals; in United’s case, it’s difficult to do right now.’
Rudiger’s departure comes at a difficult time for Chelsea, which has been stung by fines against its owner, Roman Abramovich, this week.
Chelsea has been unable to sign or sell any players as a result of the sanctions, and has been forced to close their club shop and hotel, as well as halt selling matchday tickets.
After a rough season under previous manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and current manager Ralf Rangnick, Manchester United are set to go on another buying spree this summer.
The Red Devils are currently fifth in the Premier League and face an uphill battle to finish in the top four, with fourth-placed Arsenal one point ahead of them and three games in hand.
Berbatov wants to see PSG star Verratti join United, and he also believes Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are two more dream signings for his former club.
‘I will say, for a striker, and this is pretty much unlikely to happen, but if I were a manager in an alternate world, I would attempt to get Haaland or Mbappe,’ the Bulgaria legend continued.
‘One of those two players for the striker position, because I enjoy watching them.’ Verratti would be my choice in the middle as well.
‘I’m a big fan of Marco Verratti. I just believe he’s incredibly organized and on top of what he’s doing.’
