Harry Maguire's form so far this season has been inconsistent. Still, under Ralf Rangnick, he has seen a marked improvement, even if the standard of the opposition has been weaker after the run of games that saw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer lose his job.
At 28 years old and with the heavyweight of the £80 million price tag still weighing on his shoulders, the Manchester United defender needs to finally make the step up and prove why the club wanted him in the heart of their defence.
However, all of his potential partners have injury issues. Raphael Varane has already missed a significant portion of the season through injury, and Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly, and Phil Jones have recurring problems. There is an opportunity for Rangnick to change this and bolster his options at the back to challenge Maguire.
So here are three defenders Rangnick could look to acquire in the January or summer windows for United :
Jules Kounde
Jules Koundes has been linked more regularly with a move to Chelsea, but Spanish outlet Fichajes are reporting that United could attempt to sign the player as early as January.
Kounde has been one of the best defenders in La Liga this season, and it shows in his team's position in the league, with Sevilla currently second. They have also conceded the least goals, a testament to Kounde's good work at the back.
His release clause is £68 million. Given Sevilla's reliance on the player, it is unlikely that they will accept under that amount and given United's need for reinforcements in other areas, a move for Kounde does not seem likely.
Ronald Araujo
Barcelona has seen an exciting crop of young talent come into the first team over the past year, but with results not coming their way, some could leave while their stock is still high.
One such player is Ronald Araujo, who has quickly established himself as the leading man in Barcelona's otherwise flailing defence. However, with a contract that expires in 2023, Barcelona will have to tie him down to a new contract or let the player leave.
Spanish outlet El Nacional states that United will offer Barcelona €30 million for the 22-year-old Uruguayan in the summer. However, Chelsea is also interested.
Araujo would be a statement signing. If he continues his development, he could easily be one of the top centre-backs in the world. He is already showing composure beyond his years, both in and out of possession.
Armel Bella-Kotchap
The least well known of the names on this list, but this could show the influence of Rangnick. The Sun reports that United is interested in signing the 20-year-old 6'2 defender Armel Bella-Kotchap from VFL Bochum.
Like others, the defender has been linked with Chelsea in the past. However, Rangnick will hope his connections will convince the defender to move to the Premier League.
With Varane and Maguire in front of him and Lindelof to learn from, Bella-Kotchap would develop his game and be an option for United at the back for years to come if he realises his potential.
Which defender would you like to see Manchester United sign? Follow our United On My Mind writer Casey Evans on Twitter and get involved in the discussion in the comment section below.
