Life at Manchester United doesn’t appear to be getting any simpler for former skipper, Harry Maguire, with the struggling Englishman seemingly in want of a recent begin amid his mounting woes at Outdated Trafford.
Having not too long ago been stripped of the captaincy by supervisor Erik ten Hag, the 30-year-old – who began simply eight Premier League video games final season – was additionally on the receiving finish of a visual rant from new signing Andre Onana throughout the latest 3-2 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in pre-season.
It could seem that the previous Leicester Metropolis man – who has been the topic of a £20m provide from West Ham United – has fallen approach down the defensive pecking order of late, with rumours rife that he might be on his approach earlier than the September deadline.
If the £80m signing is to discover a new residence over the approaching weeks, Ten Hag will doubtless be eager to discover a appropriate alternative to assist bolster his centre-back choices forward of the 2023/24 marketing campaign.
Who may substitute Maguire at Man United?
The Crimson Devils had been closely linked with a transfer for Monaco star, Axel Disasi, in latest months, though as journalist Fabrizio Romano revealed, regardless of exhibiting an “curiosity” within the Frenchman, it will seem that he’s on his strategy to rivals Chelsea on a €45m (£38m) deal.
Amid that potential setback, experiences in Spain have indicated in latest days that United are among the many golf equipment to have made a suggestion for RB Leipzig sensation, Josko Gvardiol, with each Manchester Metropolis and Liverpool additionally eager on signing the thrilling 21-year-old.
Though valued at a reasonably steep €100m (£86m), as per the report, the signing of the Croatian worldwide may enable the Outdated Trafford outfit to neglect all concerning the Stamford Bridge-bound, Disasi.
Ought to Man United signal Josko Gvardiol?
A participant at present “in the beginning of one thing very particular” in his profession – based on expertise scout Jacek Kulig – Gvardiol may show to be a dream match for Ten Hag on account of his capacity to function as a pure, left-sided defender, in contrast to Disasi, with the previous Ajax boss having beforehand outlined his choice to have a left-footer in that function.
With Lisandro Martinez at present the one different left-footed choice on the coronary heart of the defence – excluding normal full-back Luke Shaw – it will make sense to carry Gvardiol into the fold to supply additional competitors and canopy, with Victor Lindelof and Raphael Varane to be deployed on the alternative aspect.
The Leipzig rock’s high quality on the ball would make him a very astute choice for United because the teenager usually appears to be like to play out from the again, notably rating within the prime 1% amongst his European friends for tried passes, in addition to within the prime 4% for profitable take-ons.
Disasi, in contrast, ranks in simply the highest 46% and the highest 7% for those self same two metrics, respectively, thus indicating that Gvardiol could be a worthy various within the search to discover a alternative for Maguire.
Additionally capable of provide the advantage of his capacity to function at left-back, the versatile, Zagreb native additionally showcased his defensive class within the Bundesliga final time period after averaging 1.9 tackles and interceptions per recreation, with Disasi solely simply forward after averaging 2.3 in that regard in Ligue 1 – as each males carried out higher than Maguire (1.3 tackles and interceptions per recreation in 2022/23).
These similarities between the pair with regard to their ball-playing and ball-winning high quality would recommend that even when United are compelled to observe Disasi head to west London, they may neglect all concerning the former Reims ace by snapping up a youthful choice, like Gvardiol, as a substitute.