AS Roma's Mehdi Benatia celebrates after scoring against Genoa during their Serie A soccer match at Olympic stadium in Rome, January 12, 2014
Mehdi Benatia is a very highly rated center back for Roma and has been under spotlight for the last week as Chelsea and United fight for his transfer. He has been in talks with United and a deal can be sealed in order to cater their defensive woes. Reuters

Roma's Mehdi Benatia is all but ready to come to old Trafford as Louis van Gaal's Manchester United is desperate to sign players after a humiliating start at the premier league season. United has a fairly quiet transfer season, where they could only pull off two transfers--Andy Herera and Luke Shaw. Van Gaal, after the defeat to Swansea, said that he needs to sign more players.

Benatia is a central defender, who has been lauded by many around the world. He has been in contention for a potential signing for Chelsea, but has understandably turned around to accept United's offer. He flew to Old Trafford although there were talks that Roma was also negotiating with Chelsea and were set to make a transfer move. However, Chelsea and Manchester United are set to fight to keep Benatia. United will have an edge in the transfer fight as they are desperate to land a defender at Old Trafford.

Manchester United dreamt of starting the pre season by winning everything that came its way. However, the start of the season for this team was filled with injury worries, which thwarted their chances of making a winning start. Nine of its first team players were injured and two from the reserves were given a debut. Manchester United was beaten 2-1. The defeat clearly suggested the lack of strong defense. The ball wasn't moved up the defensive blocks and the Van Gaal system wasn't working at its full glory.

The defeat to Swansea has raised questions on the laid back approach of the Manchester United chairman Ed Woodward. He has been criticized by the former United legend, Paul Scholes, for not bringing enough quality through transfers. Louis van Gaal, however, seems confident that he will bring that old winning atmosphere in the United ranks. He assured the fans previously that he is assessing the squad and a transfer will be made soon.