More than a decade ago, in 2015, when Michael Carrick was still dictating play in the middle of the park, Manchester United made an ambitious attempt to sign a superstar defender.
According to the BBC, United bid £28.6 million to convince Real Madrid to sell Sergio Ramos after they were led to believe the Spaniard was open to departing the Santiago Bernabeu. Ramos ultimately extended his contract with Real and led them to multiple Champions League trophies.
United have signed many central defenders since then, even breaking the world transfer record for a centre-back in search of a defensive leader. Still, it would not be far-fetched to say they have not come even close to landing a commanding figure like Ramos.
Akin to his then boss Louis van Gaal, Carrick is facing similar defensive concerns.
After the summer’s midfield overhaul, United finally have players who do not treat the ball like a hot potato, but if the first three Premier League games are anything to go by, the Red Devils have turned into a side who are soft, like a hot potato, out of possession.
It is only the second time in the last 50 years that United have conceded two or more goals in each of their first three league games of a season, alongside the 2020-21 campaign.
It is difficult to point out a specific player or tactical approach behind United looking vulnerable at the back under Carrick, and yet, newly promoted sides Hull City and Ipswich Town, and now Everton, have easily managed to breach their defence.
Carrick was quick to rubbish question marks over his side’s mentality after the 2-0 defeat at Hull, but the manner in which United have ceded control in these games cannot be ignored.
United have often looked ponderous as a unit, and their relatively inexperienced players have been out of sync with each other. In the dying embers of the match, Senne Lammens tried to find his teammate in his own half instead of playing it long to Benjamin Sesko and pinning Everton in their defensive third.
That eventually led to a corner kick which United players defended well, but for some reason Patrick Dorgu chased the ball and tried to aimlessly press the Everton keeper, leaving the home side two-v-one on the right flank. Ultimately, the ball fell kindly to Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who rattled the net with a ferocious strike to make it 2-2.
Similarly, United were all over the place in stoppage time against Ipswich, conceding a late goal that could have been comfortably avoided with more focus and tactical nous. And this is where someone like Sergio Ramos could come in, steady the ship, and prevent another project in Manchester from falling apart.
Better late than never
Given the 40-year-old has been without a club since January 2026 after departing Mexican side Monterrey, many would be right to laugh off this suggestion. Though he is still on the free agent list.
But thanks to INEOS’s “building blocks” transfer strategy, which would see them prioritise defensive reinforcements in 2027 after overhauling the side’s attack last year and midfield this summer, there is little United could realistically do after the close of the window.
United’s only option, if they somehow decide to bring in a new face, is to explore the free agent market. In that scenario, Ramos is the most appealing central defender available on a free transfer.
At this juncture of his career, Ramos might be slower than Maguire on the turn and struggle with the physicality of English football like Martinez, but his experience and wits could prove to be a game-changer.
Ramos, who captained Los Blancos during one of their most dominant eras, lifting 22 major trophies, and won the World Cup with Spain, is a born winner who would instantly command the respect of his teammates and would not let them take their foot off the gas.
The veteran Spaniard, known for his monster mentality, could be regularly used as a substitute to help Carrick’s young side manage the game better and see out results in difficult conditions.
One can expect United to go for the jugular with him on the pitch instead of passively defending the lead.
Furthermore, with Casemiro’s departure, the Mancunians have lost a major goal threat in set pieces, but in Ramos they would get a player who is arguably the second-best header of the ball after Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Spanish icon is yet to announce his retirement from football, and United should consider offering him an opportunity to hang up his boots after one last major challenge that he snubbed more than a decade ago.
Featured image Manuel Velasquez via Getty Images
