Rumour: Manchester United interested in Mehdi Benatia

Mehdi Benatia a target for Manchester United?

Manchester United have started planning for life without Nemanja Vidic, following reports suggesting they are lining up a summer move for Roma defender Mehdi Benatia to replace the departing skipper.

The Express believe that the 26 year old, who has also been linked with United’s Premier League rivals Arsenal and Tottenham, is top of David Moyes’ wishlist of defenders to replace Vidic and that he is keen on a move for the Moroccan international.

The news may come as a surprise to some, with Benatia a new arrival at Roma having joined the club in the summer. He rejected overtures from abroad to move to Roma from fellow Italian side Udinese in an £11 million deal.

Benatia has scored five goals this season, including this strike against Sampdoria

His recent arrival means Roma are under no obligation to sell the player, who is believed to be happy in Italy, but Moyes is said to still be keen attempting a move.

Benatia has made 24 league appearances for Roma this season, scoring five goals in the process.

Roma Players By Squawka Performance Score

The centre back has impressed for his new side since his arrival, having scored the highest Squawka performance score of any Roma player this season, while also having averaged more defensive actions per game than his club colleagues.

Such form has not gone unnoticed in Manchester and, with Moyes reportedly set to be handed a large sum of money to add to his ailing squad in the summer, Benatia could be in line for another summer of transfer speculation.