---
title: "Man United ready to rival Barcelona in big defender battle"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/man-united-ready-to-rival-barcelona-in-big-defender-battle/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Jonny Gorrie"
section: "La Liga News"
published: "2016-10-17T10:13:15Z"
modified: "2016-10-17T10:13:15Z"
---

# Man United ready to rival Barcelona in big defender battle

**There’s nothing quite like a transfer tidbit to calm the nerves before a major derby and the Manchester United fans in the Transfer Tavern have felt that this evening.**

With the Red Devils’ trip to Liverpool merely a few hours away, reports emanating out of Spain have helped some of the United supporting locals take their mind off it.

According to *[Marca](https://www.marca.com/futbol/barcelona/2016/10/17/5804054122601db0188b4615.html),* Jose Mourinho is ready to battle Barcelona over the signing of Valencia defender Joao Cancelo.

The recently-capped Portuguese international has been in impressive form for *Los Che* of late and the La Liga champions are [thought](https://www.marca.com/futbol/barcelona/2016/10/17/5804054122601db0188b4615.html) to be keen on him.

With Alex Vidal [reportedly](https://www.marca.com/futbol/barcelona/2016/10/17/5804054122601db0188b4615.html) likely to leave the *Blaugrana,* those at the Camp Nou are [understood](https://www.marca.com/futbol/barcelona/2016/10/17/5804054122601db0188b4615.html) to view the 22-year-old as a long-term right-back.

However, that berth has also proved a problem for the Premier League titans, who’ve struggled to truly replace Gary Neville.

Though Antonio Valencia is currently first-choice, the future of Matteo Darmian remains in [doubt](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/1981943/manchester-united-transfer-news-jose-mourinho-struggling-to-sell-matteo-darmian-and-may-miss-out-on-fabinho-too/).

Despite Barca’s standing as one of the most illustrious clubs in Europe, the financial might of the Premier League could change the playing field somewhat.

**Should United stick with Valencia? How badly do they need a top right-back? Let us know below…**