Erik ten Hag has identified £52m midfield wizard as a potential Frenkie de Jong alternative

November 29, 2022 Edutution MAN UTD 0

According to Mundo Deportivo, United is keeping a close eye on Zubimendi’s progress and received a firsthand look at his abilities during the Europa League group stage. Despite signing a contract extension just a few months ago, the midfielder has a £52 million release clause that United is apparently interested in.

And Zubimendi claimed to ‘want to sign for United,’ implying that personal terms won’t be an issue. United will need to sign at least one central midfielder with Fred’s contract expiring in the summer.

Erik ten Hag has identified £52m midfield wizard as a potential Frenkie de Jong alternative
       Erik ten Hag has identified £52m midfield wizard as a potential Frenkie de Jong alternative

But Ten Hag will also want to inject some youth into the middle of the park with both Casemiro and Christian Eriksen turning 31 next year. And Zubimendi will bring exactly that with the 23-year-old tipped to be a regular for Spain in the years to come.

Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, hopes to return the club to the top of English football within a few years.

Manchester United may be about to put Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s troubles behind them, with £52 million apparently set aside to pursue a transfer for Martin Zubimendi. For the previous decade, the Red Devils have been constantly rebuilt, with Solskjaer initially considered the guy to lead them back to the top.

But midway through last season saw Solskjaer given the sack after a dip in form with United looking lackluster at best. The problems appeared to stem from the lack of investment in midfield with Scott McTominay and Fred regularly depended on in the middle of the park.

Erik ten Hag has identified £52m midfield wizard as a potential Frenkie de Jong alternative
   Erik ten Hag has identified £52m midfield wizard as a potential Frenkie de Jong alternative

While both Fred and McTominay established themselves as solid team players, they were frequently chastised for their performances at the heart of United’s midfield. Donny van de Beek was a surprise signing in the summer of 2020, but he was unable to break into the team because Bruno Fernandes was the chosen attacking midfielder.

Despite links with Declan Rice, Franck Kessie, and Ruben Neves, Solskjaer did not sign another defensive midfielder during his tenure. This summer, Ten Hag obviously understood the need to invest in a midfield maestro, and he spent enormous money to get Casemiro from Real Madrid.

The Brazilian has already had an impact since his move, helping make United’s midfield more compact. And he also provides a strong line of defense in front of the back four to give United’s attackers more freedom going forward.

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