Top10 - Number 1: Mamadou Sakho (PSG)

If Sir Alex Ferguson wants to secure the signature of Paris Saint-Germain centre-back Mamadou Sakho he will have to enter the ongoing battle with Manchester City and Newcastle United. Both clubs have been keeping their beady eye on proceedings with the giant 22-year-old as he continues to be left in the cold because of the preferred partnership of former Chelsea man Alex and recently-arrived Thiago Silva.

It is only a matter of time before the gangly France international leaves the club as he was told to find a new home in the summer, but he refused to go because of the love he holds for the club. Born in Paris, Sakho is adored by the PSG faithful and his departure will no doubt leave a few supporters in anger, but at the stage of his career he is at playing games is more important that collecting a fortune from the bench and a move to the Premier League looks on the cards.

'The Gladiator' would slot into the current structure perfectly at old Trafford and would sure up the ever-dwindling defence with ease, and if Sir Alex was interested in capturing the 6ft2 enforcer then the price is unlikely to be a problem considering he is surplus to requirements to Carlo Ancelotti and his merry band of backroom staff.

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Top10 - Number 2: Adil Rami (Valencia)

Ask any fan of Spanish football and they will tell you of this man's quality. Adil Rami's popularity has grown at an impressive rate over the last 2 years and his move to Valencia (believed to be in the region of £9m) certainly put proof to that. The France international made his name whilst playing for French side Lille, playing 163 games for the club, and he has since appeared 24 times for his country. At 6ft4 he towers over many, and he also implements a sense of aggression into his game making him a very tough opponent to come up against.

Since playing for Valencia he has progressed both his passing game and positional sense, whilst keeping his reputation of somewhat of a unit intact. You get the feeling that Rami is exactly the sort of player that would complement the big Serbian Nemanja Vidic should he take the chance and swap Mestalla for Old Trafford.

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Top10 - Number 3: Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus)

You instantly knew how important Giorgio Chiellini was to Juventus when you saw the look of desperation around Turin when it was announced the defender had sustained a calf injury in training. He could now be sidelined for up to 3 months with the injury, ruling out a move in the current transfer window, but should he pick up where he left off when he finally takes to the field again he could be  a target in the summer.

He is the textbook centre-back. He holds every trait you need in a world-class defender and he surpasses the grade on every attribute. His strength, his build, his speed and his exquisite positional sense has set him apart from a long list of professionals across the top of the game.

His 200+ games for Italy's Old Lady puts weight into the argument that he is one of the best in the world and his 56 caps for his country all but secures it, but until he moves abroad and showcases his full facility then he will continue to be questioned by some.

The fiery Italian would certainly add a bucket-load of aggression into the Reds team, but have no question about it, his talent outweighs his downfalls. 

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Top10 - Number 4: Neven Subotic (Borussia Dortmund)

Along with Mats Hummels, Neven Subotic has become one of the biggest names in European  football because of their sturdy performances at the back.

As well as being a complete and utter warrior and willing to do whatever it takes to prevent his team conceding a goal, he is also Nemanja Vidic's partner in the middle of the Serbia side. As with all the best players in the world, if you want him representing your badge on his chest then you have to be ready to compete for the right to have that.

As well as United, Barcelona, Inter Milan and Manchester City are all after the 24-year-old's services, but amongst the mayhem regarding the situation Subotic has signed a new 2-year contract extension with Dortmund.

We all know that club-loyalty is a rare thing these days in football and signing a new contract doesn't necessarily devoid the chances of a transfer, it only demands a higher fee for the player.

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Top10 - Number 5: Ignazio Abate (AC Milan)

A slightly different approach to this inclusion in the fact that Ignazio Abate is a very different player to any one United currently have on their books.

Abate is a rapid wing-back who uses a treasure box of tricks and his blistering pace to embarrass opponents down the touchline, and although you may be thinking United have the likes of Valencia and Ashley Young to do that job for them, Abate is one hell of a defender.

Not only has he established himself as a cracking player, but the 26-year-old prides himself on his disciplined behaviour at all times. He is an experienced individual with hundreds of games under his belt in the Italian leagues, and although he has played for 7 different clubs throughout his career, he has ended up at the place where he was introduced into professional football; AC Milan.

There is no doubt that Abate would be a good addition to the United set up, but with Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Rafael all able to play in the right-back berth, maybe the gaffer would be better to concentrate on the central areas.

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Top10 - Number 6: Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund)

One of the most impressive defenders in Europe right now is Mats Humels. He is currently bossing the Bundesliga at the heart of the Borussia Dortmund defence with his immense ability to read the game and his areal presence. Standing at 6ft3 he also provides BVB a target from set pieces, and , perhaps more surprisingly, is eager to use his technical skills to conjure up attacking moves.

He has been deployed as a defensive midfielder as a result of his intelligence on the pitch and effortlessness he can win back possession. His awareness is something you would expect from a 5ft-nothing playmaker, and the way he can ping a ball and rip open the opposition is something that demands your applause.

Whether or not Dortmund would accept an offer for him is another thing, but if Fergie can secure his services he will have one heck of a player.

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Top10 - Number 7: David Alaba (Bayern Munich)

Another young full back this time. David Alaba has become one of the brightest young talents on the planet since his rise to fame in 2010, his breakthrough season in which he played a handful of games before being loaned out to fellow Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim.

The young Austrian is keen to progress to the very top of European football and there are many people who believe he has the talent to do just that, but would a move to the top of the English Premier League increase the likeliness of that happening or simply act as a deterrent?

The main attraction of Alaba is his versatility. The fact that he can play at left-back, a more central role or in midfield is something that screams value for money and could also offer the Red Devils cover in areas that they could do with.

The 20-year-old has featured in 10 league games so far this season for Bayern, scoring once and providing 1 assist, but could we see him in a United shirt in the not so distant future?

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Top10 - Number 8: Kyriakos Papadopoulos (Shalke)

When you think of the best defences in Europe from years gone by you think of players with a certain toughness, aggression and determination to keep the ball away from their goal. Papadopoulos has all three, and a whole lot more. His forceful frame enables him to muscle people off the ball, his pace allows him to breeze past on-rushing strikers and his agility is a contributor to him being a giant in the air. The 20-year-old is remarkably comfortable to play the ball around on the floor but is also partial to a crunching challenge.

He joined German outfit Shalke at just 18-years of age after breaking into the Olympiakos first team and he has become an integral part since the switch, making him a candidate, albeit a costly one, for United for years to come. With Rio Ferdinand in the last few years of his career and Vidic being plagued with injuries, I am sure Papadoulos will be on Fergie's shortlist, just like he was as a teenager.

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Top10 - Number 9: Luke Shaw (Southampton)

Much has been made of Southampton youngster Luke Shaw, although mostly linking him with a switch to Arsenal to fill their shaky left-back position, but the 17-year-old could prove to be a shrewd purchase for the Old Trafford side if it were to happen.

Shaw progressed through the Saints youth academy and has blossomed into a fine, young full-back in the Southampton first team.  Nigel Adkins thinks so highly of the teen  that he has promised him a role in the future of the club. he told BBC: "Luke Shaw is a big part of our future plans. We want him in the first team in the Premier League playing for Southampton Football Club for a long, long time."

Shaw has made 15 appearances this campaign and continues to grow as he learns his trade, and with United having Patrice Evra, who turns 32 this year, and Alex Buttner capable of filling the left-back berth added to Southampton's desperation to hold on to the player, that means this move may not happen any time soon, but Luke Shaw will definitely be a name in the head of the United scouting staff.

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Top10 - Number 10: Bruno Manga (FC Lorient)

When you think of the African contingent that have graced the Premier League you tend to think of large, steely individuals similar to the likes of Yaya and Kolo Toure. Well, Bruno Manga can definitely be described as just that.

The Gabon international is the type of player that sends fear into the attacker with just a glance, a player that does not negotiate when it comes to stripping you of possession, and as you will see on the video (goal 10) he can really hit a ball.

At 24-years-old Manga needs to start thinking about the next step of his career and with all due respect to his current club, the centre-back certainly has the capabilities to mix it with the big boys of the Premier League.

He has so far spent his entire career in the French leagues but could follow the likes of Patrice Evra over to take his place in the fragile back four of United. Manga was seen as the replacement for Laurent Koscielny when he switched to Arsenal in 2010 and has made a name for himself in the 63 games that he has appeared in for Lorient, but he is unfortunately undergoing treatment for a ligament rupture at the moment which has kept him out for the majority of this season, putting question whether or not a move this month is likely.

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