Antonio Silva Scout Report: Why is the Benfica Defender a Manchester United Target?

With Manchester United keen on bolstering their defence in the upcoming transfer windows,
the Reds have identified Benfica defender Antonio Silva as a potential centre-back signing in 2024.

Date of Birth: 30/10/2003 (20)
Position: Centre-Back
Strong Foot: Right
Height: 1.87m (6ft 1in)

Who is Antonio Silva?

Silva joined Portuguese giants Benfica at a young age and has worked his way up the ranks to become one of their most important players. The 20-year-old, born in Viseu Portugal, is regarded as one of the best young defenders in world football and has attracted interest from the likes of United and Real Madrid. 

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With Raphaël Varane reportedly heading towards a United exit in 2024 and Harry Maguire’s long-term future at the club still being uncertain despite his recent resurgence, the Old Trafford club will most certainly be in the market for a new central defender. United’s shortlist reportedly includes the likes of Jean-Clair Todibo, Edmond Tapsoba, Marc Guehi, Gonçalo Inácio and Silva. 

Silva would likely be the most expensive on that list, with various reports claiming he could cost in the region of €100m. Whether United will have that type of money in the summer is uncertain with Champions League qualification, a lucrative source of income, for the 2024/25 looking like a distant dream as things stand. In addition to that, The Telegraph reports that United crashing out of the competition in the group stage this season means the club will face a financial hit of about £28 million. 

Strengths

One of Silva’s biggest strengths is his ability in possession. The Portuguese international has completed 93% of his passes in Primeira Liga so far this season. He is also extremely progressive in possession having averaged 5.25 progressive passes per 90 and 1.25 progressive carries per 90 in the Portuguese league so far this season. Signing a right-sided centre-back who’s progressive in possession is crucial and would add a lot to Erik ten Hag’s side. United are far too reliant on Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez in build-up so adding another elite progressor would reduce United’s reliance on the left-side of their defence in build-up. 

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In terms of his defensive ability, Silva offers almost everything you’d want in a centre-back. He’s an elite tackler and is quite good in ground duels. So far this season in the Portuguese league, the Benfica defender has won 71% of his ground duels. 

Silva is also very comfortable moving into wide areas to defend which is a very useful attribute for a centre-back, especially in Erik ten Hag’s system considering the Dutchman wants his team to press the opposition high up the pitch. Having centre-backs who can defend in wide-areas means that Ten Hag would be able to use his full-backs to back up the press, which is something he hasn’t trusted them to do on a regular basis so far during his tenure as Manchester United manager. 

Weaknesses

In the air, Silva is also decent having won 61% of his aerial duels in Primera Liga so far this season. While that’s quite decent, it is lower than Raphaël Varane, who won 72% of his aerial duels in the Premier League last season, and Harry Maguire who has won 72% of his aerial duels in the Premier League this season. Lisandro Martinez is a high-quality defender, but the one thing he needs in a centre-back partner is aerial dominance. It isn’t necessarily a weakness in Silva’s game, but it’s something that he should look to improve and standing at 6’’1, it’s certainly possible to do so. 

Where would he fit in at Manchester United?

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Should Silva make a move to the Theatre of Dreams, he’d play alongside Lisandro Martinez in central defence and would become a prominent figure in United’s back line for potentially up to decade. 

A new right-footed centre-back will be needed at United in the summer, potentially even in January. Varane looks set to leave the club soon, with Bayern München having been mentioned as a possible destination for the 2018 World Cup winner. Maguire has started to look like that £80 million defender Ole Gunnar Solskjaer signed in 2018 but an Old Trafford exit is still very much a possibility. Lindelof could also leave the club in the near future. 

With United scouting for a centre-back, it’s no surprise that Antonio Silva has found his way towards the top of United’s shortlist considering the amount of quality the 20 year-old possesses. 

Verdict  

Silva should certainly be a name under consideration in United’s recruitment room. The 20-time English champions are scouting a number of centre-backs and based on the known names on the club’s shortlist, Silva probably is the best. He’s still young and still has aspects of his game he needs to develop, but it’s easy to imagine that he’ll become one of the best defenders in world football soon.

In general, United need to do more shopping in Portugal. Bruno Fernandes, who United signed from Sporting has made an enormous impact during his time at the club so far. United’s local rivals Manchester City also signed Ruben Dias from Benfica who has been an integral part of Guardiola’s City over the last few years. Spurs also signed right-back Pedro Porro from Sporting and the Spaniard has made a big impact at Spurs this season under the guidance of Ange Postecoglou. Luis Diaz has also been very good for Liverpool since signing for them from Porto and João Palhinha has been a revelation playing in the heart of Marco Silva’s midfield since joining Fulham from Sporting. 

Even if United don’t sign Silva this summer, it’s possible the Reds could still do business with Benfica with United reportedly having also taken a keen interest in their midfielder João Neves.