Manchester United and Real Madrid set for “intense” battle for Sporting Lisbon defender Goncalo Inacio | OneFootball

Manchester United and Real Madrid are set to battle it out for Sporting Lisbon centre back Gonçalo Inácio.

With Ruben Amorim planning to change United’s formation to a 3-4-3, the Red Devils will need to find defenders who are comfortable playing in a back three.

There are rumours that United have not given up their pursuit of Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and could make a move for the defender in the winter or summer.

The Red Devils have also recently been linked to Sporting duo Goncalo Inacio and Ousmane Diomande, as Amorim has been tipped to raid his former team.

Inacio was heavily linked at one stage to the Red Devils in the summer but a move could be more realistic now with Amorim on the books. However, they will inevitably face tough competition for the talented central defender.

Fichajes report that “Gonçalo Inácio, the 23-year-old Portuguese centre-back, has caught the attention of Real Madrid and Manchester United, two of the giants of European football who are looking to strengthen their defence with one of the most outstanding prospects on the continent.”

The defender is said to have “remarkable ability in defence”, which has sparked an “intense” battle for his signature.

He “has quickly established himself, thanks to his defensive solidity, tactical intelligence and ability with the ball at his feet. These qualities have allowed him to stand out in the Portuguese league and in European competitions, becoming one of the most complete centre-backs of his generation.”

His aerial dominance and ability to anticipate danger has made him a priority solution for both clubs as United prepare to steal a march on their eternal transfer foes.

The Spanish outlet asserts that United are keen to land him as they are “looking for a centre-back who can provide stability, a priority for the coming years, given the competitiveness of the Premier League.”

Inacio would certainly add knowledge of playing in a back three and could provide crucial understanding for Amorim’s tactical set up.

What’s more with the likes of Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire all likely to leave in the not so distant future, United will need to sign more centre backs if they are to seriously commit to playing with three defenders in the long term.