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Wayne Rooney has brought in Mike Phelan as his new number two to help Plymouth fight relegation.

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Phelan joins PlymouthWorked previously with Sir Alex at Man UtdPlymouth in bottom threeFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Phelan spent nine years in two separate spells at Manchester United as Sir Alex Ferguson's number two and worked with the Plymouth Argyle boss when he was a player at Old Trafford. He replaces Pete Shuttleworth who has left for personal reasons.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT ROONEY SAID

On the appointment, Rooney said: "I am sad to see Pete leave the club. He is someone I have worked with very closely throughout my managerial career having first met at Derby County and he has also been a close friend.

"Mike is someone I know well having worked with him when I was a player at Manchester United and he has vast experience at the highest level of football.

"I am really pleased to bring him to Argyle and look forward to seeing him get to work immediately."

WHAT PHELAN SAID

Posting on X, Phelan said: "I’m pleased to announce that I’ll be #ReUnited with Wayne Rooney at Argyle. Looking forward to to this new challenge."

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THE BIGGER PICTURE

Rooney has a huge task on his hands to keep Plymouth in the Championship. Argyle are 22nd in the division and sit in the relegation zone but, with Phelan's experience coming through the door, Rooney will be hoping his former coach will help change their fortunes.

One of the Premier League’s most underrated academy systems is that of Aston Villa. The Midlands side, who will return to the Champions League for the first time since its rebrand from the European Cup, have produced some of English football’s best players.

Perhaps the Villans’ most famous academy graduate is Gareth Barry. The former England international played 439 times for Villa, and is actually the Premier League’s highest-ever appearances maker, with 653 outings. He has also played for West Brom, Everton and Manchester City, with whom he won the Premier League in 2011/12 and the FA Cup in 2011.

Gary Cahill is another notable academy graduate from the Villans academy. Although he only played 31 times for the club, he went on to have an illustrious career elsewhere, notably at Chelsea. Among other trophies, the former England defender won the Premier League and Europa League during his time at Stamford Bridge.

In the current first team, Unai Emery has some academy graduates of his own at his disposal. Most notably, they include Jacob Ramsey, Jaden Philogene and Cameron Archer, with the latter two returning to the club this summer from Hull City and Sheffield United, respectively.

However, they might not be the only academy graduates to resign for Villa this season, after they have been linked with a high-profile former payer this week.

Aston Villa target Premier League attacker

The player in question here is Manchester City and England international attacker Jack Grealish. The 28-year-old made a name for himself at boyhood club Villa before earning a major move to the Etihad Stadium and has now been tipped to leave the club this summer.

According to a report from TEAMtalk, the Villans are ‘keeping a close eye on the situation’ of their former skipper, and could be poised to make a move if they get an indication he wants to depart the Cityzens this summer.

The report suggests that Villa are not interested in buying the attacker permanently this year, but instead want to do a deal that would see him sign on loan with an obligation to buy him next summer, instead.

That could be a way around breaching the profit and sustainability rules, given the Villans have already completed deals for eight players this summer, and came close to breaching the rules at the end of last season, too.

How Grealish could be transformed by Emery

Should Villa get a deal for Grealish over the line this summer, he would hope to rediscover his form during his final season at Villa Park, which led to his record-breaking £100m move to the Etihad Stadium.

The England international, who missed out on selection for Euro 2024, was one of the Premier League’s best players in 2020/21 but has not really captured his best form in Manchester. He has played 125 times for City but has scored just 14 times and registered 18 assists.

During his final season at Villa Park, Grealish was a maverick in midfield, given a free-roam role by then-manager Dean Smith. The Englishman scored six times and registered ten assists in 26 top-flight games, compared to just three goals and a single assist in 20 games in 2023/24 under Pep Guardiola.

In fact, Grealish was statistically one of the Premier League’s best creative players in his final season wearing claret and blue, both when looking at his creative stats and ball-carrying stats on FBref.

At City, we have not really seen the side of Grealish that is a pure ball carrier, a deadly threat in transition who would use Pausa, quick feet and footballing intelligence to keep hold of the ball and win fouls for his side. Football scout Antonio Mango once called him “unplayable”, and that is what was once the norm in a Villa shirt.

Instead, he has become somewhat of a cog in the system that is Guardiola’s City, a shadow of his former self in many ways. Nowadays, we don’t see the flair and finesse of Grealish as much as we did in his Villa days when he was one of the Premier League’s great entertainers.

How Emery could get the best out of Grealish

Perhaps we could see Emery get the best out of Grealish as one of the number 10s, the false wingers, in his famed 4-2-2-2 system. The 28-year-old would have a better environment in a free-flowing and more transitional system which he could thrive, and remind the Premier League, and the England setup, just how good he can be.

Emery has already turned one Villa attacker into one of English football’s best and most productive players. Ollie Watkins was simply sensational for the Villans last campaign and was a large reason why they managed to finish in fourth place in the league and qualify for the Champions League.

The England international, who scored his country’s winning goal in the Euro 2024 semi-final, was prolific for his side last term. In 37 games in the top flight, Watkins got himself on the scoresheet 19 times and also managed to assist his teammates on 13 occasions.

As per StatMuse, he was one of only three players with more than 30 goals and assists in the Premier League last season, and he was in fine company at that. England teammate Cole Palmer led the way with 33 goal involvements, and Watkins was tied on 32 with deadly striker Erling Haaland, who claimed the Golden Boot.

In fact, his 13 assists last campaign for the Villans was enough to earn him the Premier League’s Playmaker award, given out to the player with the most assists. In terms of combined goals and assists, it was comfortably the 28-year-old’s best season of his career.

Perhaps Emery can have a similar impact on Grealish as he has had on Watkins, having turned the former Brentford man – who scored just 11 times in 2021/22 – into one of Europe’s best centre-forwards. Grealish has all the talent but needs the right environment to flourish, and that is certainly something the Spaniard could provide.

On a loan-to-buy deal, Villa might well try and bring Grealish home at all costs. Whilst his wage could be high, given he is currently on £300k-per-week, as per Capology, he is an academy graduate, their former captain and arguably one of their greatest players.

If Grealish – who has been described as a "magician" by pundit Rio Ferdinand – can get even half as close to his old form, could make them contenders for top four, or better, once again next campaign.

Contact made: Aston Villa chase £50k-p/w forward who Thierry Henry loves

He could be the perfect Ollie Watkins alternative for Unai Emery.

By
Ben Browning

Jul 31, 2024

If there is one area of their side that they could look to revamp this season, Manchester United could well overhaul their midfield. It was a very frustrating season in 2023/24, and their midfield might well need to change in order to provide them with a better platform for the new term.

There are three of United’s midfielders who are seemingly guaranteed to stay at the club beyond this season. Firstly, captain Bruno Fernandes will stay, despite interest from clubs in Europe including PSG, and from Saudi Arabia. Mason Mount will also likely stay, despite a tough, injury-hit first season at Old Trafford, as will his compatriot Kobbie Mainoo, who burst onto the scene last campaign and is now a crucial player.

In terms of players who could leave, Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay are all at risk of being sold. It was confirmed by the Daily Mail in April that all three could depart the club. Donny van de Beek has already gone, and Sofyan Amrabat’s loan expired in June.

With all these changes in the centre of the park, United will no doubt need to strengthen in midfield. Recently, they have been linked with one player who could add quality strength and depth.

Man Utd target Ligue 1 midfielder

The player in question here is AS Monaco and France international midfielder Youssouf Fofana. The 25-year-old has been a crucial player for his club side and has now been to two major tournaments with France. He is now wanted by clubs across Europe this summer.

According to a report from Dharmesh Sheth, a highly reputable journalist for Sky Sports, Fofana is one of the players who United are “looking at in the central midfield area”, along with the likes of Manuel Ugarte, Martin Zubimendi and former loanee Amrabat.

However, the Red Devils are not the only side in the race for the experienced France international. Italian giants AC Milan are also thought to be keen on bringing him to the club, and according to Italian news outlet Calcio Mercato, are thought to have agreed on personal terms with Fofana.

With regards to the price, it is believed that the Rossoneri had a bid of £10.1m plus add-ons was rejected. Instead, Monaco are likely to accept a bid of around £16.9m, after initially requesting £21m for the Frenchman. With sales, this is a figure that United are likely to be able to meet.

How Fofana compares to Ugarte

Fofana was a vital player for Monaco last summer, playing 32 times in Ligue 1, grabbing four goals and four assists. He is a destroyer in midfield, a tough tackling ball-winner who is also a wonderful ball-carrier and a good progressive passer. That is a real feature of Fofana's game, that can go unnoticed, but he screens the back four very well, often winning the ball back and then looking to progress play forward.

Football analyst Ben Mattinson described the midfielder as a "monster" in the middle of the park, and this is certainly reflected in how the 25-year-old plays, given he is such a tenacious ball-winner.

He could prove to be a great alternative to Ugarte in the centre of the park for the Red Devils. United are thought to be targeting the Uruguayan but are put off by his price, with PSG wanting £59m. Both players are tenacious ball-winners, although Ugarte is a more aggressive, front-footed player out of possession. He is similar in many ways to N'Golo Kante, in how front-footed he is when looking to win the ball back for his side.

In terms of their FBref stats off the ball, the PSG midfielder averages 6.42 tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes, compared to Fofana’s average of 3.27 tackles and interceptions. However, it is far closer when it comes to ball recoveries, with the Monaco midfielder averaging 7.67 per 90 and Ugarte just pipping him with 8.42.

Stat (per 90)

Fofana

Ugarte

Tackles and interceptions

3.27

6.42

Blocks

1.17

1.26

Clearances

1.03

1.16

Aerial duel win %

51.5%

53.8%

Ball recoveries

7.67

8.42

Where Fofana’s quality does shine through over Ugarte is with the ball. He averages 8.3 progressive passes per 90 and 1.77 progressive carries, whereas the Uruguayan midfielder completes half the amount of progressive passes on average, with 4.05 and just 0.74 progressive carries each game.

Why Fofana could be perfect for Mainoo

With that in mind, Fofana could also be the dream partner for Mainoo. The young England international thrives in the middle and final thirds, and having Fofana screening behind him, plus kickstarting attacks with his progressive play, could reduce the defensive responsibility on his young shoulders.

The 19-year-old is also a wonderful ball carrier, who glides past players with ease, able to ride tackles so well and slalom past defenders like they are not there. In fact, last season, the young midfielder averaged 2.70 attempted take-ons and completed 1.46 of those, which ranked him in the top 9% and 8% of midfielders in Europe respectively, as per FBref.

Having someone like Fofana covering behind would allow Mainoo to play much higher, operating in between the lines rather than having to start attacks deeper and carry forward to start United’s attacks. Instead, this is a role Fofana can fulfil.

For a fee of £21m at the most, this could surely be a dream signing for United. Not only is he a cheaper alternative to Ugarte, but he would also allow Mainoo to get further forward, providing excellent cover to the youngster and reducing his defensive responsibility.

It could certainly be a shrewd piece of business from the Red Devils.

Man Utd line up £68m Mainoo partner who's "far less reckless than Ugarte"

The Red Devils’ bid to sign PSG midfielder Ugarte has hit a snag.

ByAngus Sinclair Jul 27, 2024

What's that, jettisoning away from St. James' Park, leaving Newcastle United for a lofty fee without actually kicking a ball under Eddie Howe's management?

It's 19-year-old Yankuba Minteh, who has been sold to Premier League rivals Brighton & Hove Albion for no small sum of £30m, one year on from signing for Newcastle from Danish side Odense for a peppercorn fee. Eliott Anderson has also left his boyhood club, joining Nottingham Forest in a deal worth £35m.

Given that Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon and Bruno Guimaraes are names battered by intense speculation about their respective futures on Tyneside as United scramble to placate the all-seeing glare of PSR, it's not been too shabby a process for the Magpies.

Who needs a sporting director, ay? The Magpies have impressed, slaloming past financial obstacles obstructing their path, and now the focus can be fixed on reinforcing the talented squad, who will watch European football from home next season after Manchester United's FA Cup triumph severed a pathway to the Conference League.

Financial Fair Play: What is PSR, how does it work and who's in trouble?

What does PSR mean for Premier League clubs?

ByStephan Georgiou Apr 16, 2024

Lewis Hall's loan move from Chelsea has been made permanent, while Lloyd Kelly has completed a free transfer after his contract at Bournemouth expired. Now, Howe needs to turn his attention to the centre of the field.

Newcastle should sign a midfielder

Pickings aren't exactly slim in the engine room. Bruno Guimaraes holds sway as the all-imposing linchpin, flanked in the central circle by Joelinton and Sean Longstaff, joined in the squad by Joe Willock, Lewis Miley and Sandro Tonali (who is suspended until August).

Newcastle need some more zest in midfield though, especially now that Anderson has left. Signing a creative-minded player is surely imperative, with such thoughts summed up by former Arsenal and Brazil midfielder Gilberto Silva.

The 47-year-old said "moving to Newcastle would be good" for Fulham midfielder Andreas Pereira, who is currently performing at the Copa America with Brazil, following recent reports suggesting that the Magpies could move for the £35m-rated star if midfield players are sold.

Well, Anderson has now gone, and Longstaff is being touted with a move away given his homegrown status. This is certainly one to keep an eye on.

What Andreas Pereira would bring to Newcastle

Pereira first graced the English game after signing for Manchester United in his formative years from PSV Eindhoven, going on to make 75 senior appearances for the Red Devils but always sitting on the periphery, signing for Fulham in a £10m deal in 2022.

It's been a tremendous couple of years at Craven Cottage, with the Brazilian principally playing in an attacking midfield role that could work wonders at Newcastle, connecting the middle and offensive thirds and enhancing the overall fluency of Howe's unit.

Eight goals and 15 assists across the two terms is not a bad return, providing a creative flair to Marco Silva's outfit and experience besides, living up to past praise from Jose Mourinho for his "phenomenal" level.

Matches played

33

37

Matches started

33

34

Goals

4

3

Assists

6

7

Pass completion

74%

79%

Big chances created

7

9

Touches per game

42.5

43.6

Key passes per game

1.8

2.3

Dribbles per game

0.5

0.5

The 28-year-old's playmaking quality would be a brilliant addition to the Newcastle squad, especially given the already-staggering goalscoring run of Isak and the flying runs of the likes of Gordon, who would relish such a range of passing threaded into his path.

Some might feel that Guimaraes offers that kind of skill, but the touted midfielder sits at the base of the midfield, averaging 1.7 key passes per game. Joelinton, more of a barging and mobile player, averaged 1.2 per outing last term.

Anderson, who only started ten Premier League matches last season, played in a more advanced position that could see Pereira welcomed as a natural successor, more established, sharper.

Why Pereira could be an Anderson upgrade

Anderson only averaged 0.7 key passes per top-flight fixture last year, though this is understandable given his stuttering starting berths and youth.

Still, the Toon native has been praised for his "effortless" talent in the past by former Newcastle boss Steve Bruce. Losing him is a blow; Magpies supporters will be certain that he will bloom into an impressive Premier League star at the City Ground.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 19% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 3% for progressive carries and successful take-ons and the top 6% for blocks per 90. Such metrics emphasise the rounded and progressive nature of his skill set.

It also nods toward the up-and-coming talent's budding playmaking ability, something that Pereira could mitigate and then some, given that he, having played far more football, ranks among the top 8% of positional peers for assists placed per 90.

Part of the reason that Pereira has been so effective for Fulham over the past few years has been the protection offered by Joao Palhinha, hailed as a "defensive monster" by data and video analyst Marcus Bring after incredibly averaging 4.6 tackles per game and winning 7.8 duels on average in the Premier League last season.

Guimaraes is not so defensive a midfielder from the deep layer of the midfield, but he still averaged 2.4 tackles and 7.7 successful duels per match.

Pereira would find promising conditions from which he could flourish at St. James' Park, and if Newcastle are indeed serious in their interest, he could be the dream addition to set them flying and forget about Anderson's departure pretty quickly.

Wilson upgrade: Newcastle considering swoop for £21m Euros sensation

The Magpies are reportedly keen on a deal for the impressive centre-forward.

ByDan Emery Jun 29, 2024

India were five down in 32 overs, staring at a below-par total, and with that a series clean sweep, when Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja came together to nearly double their then score of 152, which turned out to be just enough thanks to a gun spell from Jasprit Bumrah in the end. Pandya ended up with a career-best unbeaten 92 off 76, and Jadeja doubled up his 50-ball 66 with the wicket of a set Aaron Finch and a smart low catch in the field. Australia’s chase went similar to India’s innings – the fourth wickets fell at the exact same point, 123 in 25.3 overs – but the hosts kept losing wickets to fall short by 13 runs.The pitch wasn’t as flat as was expected when India won the toss, and it showed in how they managed to successfully defend what was only the third-highest total in a full-length ODI at this heavy-scoring ground. That slightly tricky surface, and the lack of depth in India’s XI probably resulted in a slightly cagey first half of the innings. There was a stretch where Virat Kohli, who had made a fluent start, went 50 balls without a boundary. Keeping that in mind, the effort of Pandya and Jadeja – 150 in 18 overs – was all the more special.Hardik Pandya bottom-edges a pull past the keeper•AFP

That being the big difference between the two sides, Pandya and Jadeja only really went after the bowling in the last five overs when there was no other option. They were good enough on the day to take 76 off those last five. Australia, though, kept going after the bowling, with Glenn Maxwell adding a 38-ball 59 to an already impressive series. He nearly brought it down to a run a ball with four wickets in hand and a little over five overs to go, but this is when Bumrah bowled him with a yorker to end the contest.

Australia atop World Cup Super League table

Australia displaced England at the top of the inaugural Men’s World Cup Super League points table following their 2-1 victory over India that gave them 20 points, to take their tally to 40.
India, who are assured of a 2023 World Cup berth by dint of being the hosts, earned nine points from the series and are placed at the No. 6 position. World Cup holders England occupy the No. 2 slot, with 30 points.
The 13-team World Cup Super League was introduced earlier this year to impart context to bilateral ODIs as well as to determine the seven direct qualifiers for the next 50-over World Cup, in 2023.

This ended a five-match losing streak for India, and accordingly it didn’t come easy. They lost a wicket early after winning the toss in what was a bat-first series, and then were thwarted by the spin combination of Ashton Agar and Adam Zampa. Shikhar Dhawan chipped Sean Abbott to short cover before Shubhman Gill and KL Rahul fell lbw when sweeping Agar, and Shreyas Iyer edged Zampa to point. It is a chicken-and-egg question: did the falling wickets necessitate a Kohli slowdown or did the slowdown bring about ambitious shots from the other end that resulted in those wickets?Kohli did push up the intent towards the 30th over only for Hazlewood to come back and get him out for the third time in this series. If the previous two short balls got Kohli on the pull, this one was wider and took the nick as he played it on the walk. He ended the year without an ODI century, but any mortal would take two half-centuries in a three-match series in what is bound to be a rusty year.This brought together two allrounders whose batting has been under pressure to justify their selection. With Pandya not bowling, the tag of specialist batsman brings its own pressure while Jadeja – remarkable as he has been upon return – keeps out one wicket-taking spinner. However, their batting has improved a lot in the last couple of years; it was on display in unison at Manuka Oval.Both batted like proper batsmen, getting into their innings without hugely sacrificing strike rate, especially with Pandya keeping the bowlers on their toes. With only two specialist quicks in the XI – debutant Cameron Green did put in four overs – Hazlewood and Abbott had to bowl all of the final six overs. This usually brings familiarity and the opportunity to line bowlers up, which is exactly what Pandya and Jadeja did.Pandya first got stuck into Abbott, taking 17 off the 46th over, reaching 75 off 66 by the end of it. In the last four overs, though, it was all Jadeja as the bowling disintegrated. Abbott failed to bowl to his fields, providing Jadeja relatively easy opportunities to hit boundaries, which he took with both hands. By the end, he had hit more sixes than Pandya and his strike rate was higher too.Debutant T Natarajan gave India their first powerplay wicket in six matches as makeshift opener Marnus Labuschagne played on, but the big one came when Thakur strangled Smith down the leg side for his first non-century score of the series. Finch, whom India reprieved three times in the field, kept the pressure on, but Thakur came back to get rid of Moises Henrqiues, who pulled a long hop straight to midwicket. Debutant Green then got stuck at the start, which brought about a low-percentage loft from Finch.However, Australia kept challenging India. Green, Alex Carey and Agar provided support for Maxwell to accelerate at the other end. Sweep, reverse sweep, switch hit, pull, slog – everything came off as Maxwell took them to 39 required off the last six overs with four wicket in hand.India had to go to Bumrah now. Two singles and two wides later, it seemed Australia were one final push away from breaking the chase down. Bumrah, who had had a catch dropped earlier, found the timber as Maxwell backed away to go through cover. Natarajan and Thakur then came back well to close the game out.

One of the many special things about Manchester United Football Club is the legendary centre-backs they have had at the club. Throughout the Premier League era, and before, there have been some truly iconic central defenders at the Old Trafford club, who have all played a huge part in their successes.

At the start of the Premier League era, Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister were the go-to pairing for Sir Alex Ferguson. Bruce played 398 games for the Red Devils, with Pallister notching up 424 games for the legendary club. They played 307 games at the heart of United’s defence together.

Jaap Stam was a pivotal figure for the Red Devils in their remarkable treble-winning campaign of 1999. He featured 127 times for United in total and helped his side to win three consecutive Premier League titles which included the treble.

Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic formed a legendary partnership for United playing 197 times together. Ferdinand pulled on that famous red shirt 455 times, and Vidic made 300 appearances for United, as they won multiple Premier League titles and a Champions League.

Recently, United have been linked with another centre-back who could end up being the next iconic name on that illustrious list.

Man Utd targetting new centre-back

The player in question here is Bayern Munich and the Netherlands international defender Matthijs de Ligt. The 24-year-old former Ajax man has struggled to settle in at Bayern since joining the club two years ago and could leave Bavaria this summer, with Old Trafford a potential destination.

According to a report from highly reputable journalist David Ornstein, INEOS are 'seriously considering' a move for De Ligt, who is thought to have been 'on the Old Trafford radar' since he broke through at Ajax, and again when he moved to Juventus in the summer of 2019.

As per the report from Ornstein, United’s interest in De Ligt is 'matched by that of manager Erik ten Hag', who previously coached him at Ajax, when the defender first broke through as a teenage prodigy. Ornstein explains that Ten Hag 'would welcome a reunion with his former captain.

According to a prior report from Sky Germany, Bayern would want a transfer fee of £42m, which seems reasonable given he still has three years left on his current contract, as Ornstein points out in his report.

Why De Ligt could replace Vidic

The Dutch international is a player who is highly thought of by Ten Hag. During an interview in 2019, he claimed his Ajax team played such courageous and creative football “because De Ligt is our captain”, high praise for a 19-year-old leading his boyhood club out. He was a player Ten Hag brought through and enjoyed a fantastic time under United’s manager with the Dutch giants.

Competition

Games

Minutes

Eredivisie

48

4320

Champions League

11

990

Champions League qualifiers

6

540

TOTO KNVB Beker

5

380

Total

70

6230

Indeed, it is that leadership element of his game that United could add more of to their side. The likes of Vidic are few and far between in the squad now, from both a leadership and defending point of view, but it is something that De Ligt could bring back to Old Trafford.

For Ten Hag to make the Bayern Munich defender his captain at Ajax aged just 19 years old, speaks volumes about just how highly he rates him. In fact, this can be linked to praise Vidic has received in the past, from legendary midfielder Paul Scholes. The former United number 18 explained that Vidic was a “natural for the role of captain”, before explaining that he is superb at “leading from the front”, similar praise to what De Ligt received from Ten Hag.

However, it is not just here where the similarities between the two end. Both players have received high praise about their defending in the past from former managers. On De Ligt, Ten Hag explained how he “loves the art of defending”, with Sir Alex Ferguson posing the question “how many centre-halves can you name who actually like defending?”, before explaining that “Vidic liked it”.

Indeed, there are similarities between the two as defenders. They are both 6 foot 2 centre-backs who are not afraid of a crunching tackle and are both superb in the air. Bundesliga commentator Kevin Hatchard called him a "monster" for a reason. In fact, as per FBref, De Ligt wins an average of 2.47 aerial duels per 90 minutes, which ranks him in the top 28% of defenders across Europe.

On the ball, De Ligt is a progressive defender, who ranks in the top 10% for progressive passes per 90 minutes, with 5.57. Not only that, the 24-year-old’s pass completion rate of 93.1% is among the best, ranking him in the top 4% of defenders.

The Dutchman, who earns £260k-per-week, as per Capology, did not feature much feature much for Bayern last season, under former manager Thomas Tuchel. He played just 30 times in all competitions, with 22 of those games coming in the Bundesliga.

He helped to keep seven clean sheets in the German top flight, in what proved to be a disastrous season for the German giants. Bayern failed to win the Bundesliga for the first time in a decade, famously losing out to one of the all-time great German sides, an invincible Bayer Leverkusen managed by Bayern legend Xabi Alonso.

Another concerning factor for United should they sign De Ligt is the constant injury issues he has endured. It is no secret that the Red Devils suffered injuries right throughout the squad all of last season, and De Ligt himself missed 20 games, mainly with a recurring knee ligament injury. That is certainly something United must be careful of.

However, on the face of things, this seems like a smart signing. They would add experience and leadership to a squad largely devoid of it, as well as a classic defender who loves to get stuck into the opposition; in many ways, they would finally be replacing the legendary Serbian defender Vidic.

For a reported fee of just £42m, it could be an excellent piece of business for the Red Devils and INEOS this summer, and one that sets them up for a big season under Ten Hag.

Man Utd plot concrete move for their own Van Dijk in £42m talent

Erik ten Hag is a huge admirer of the Dutch international.

ByTom Lever Jun 28, 2024