Manchester United had a extremely poor month in December. The Pink Devils played nine times last month, successful simply three video games in that point.
A kind of got here firstly of the month towards Everton, a 4-0 thrashing at Outdated Trafford. In addition they gained 2-1 away to Viktoria Plzen within the Europa League and obtained a well-known 2-1 win away to Manchester Metropolis.
Nevertheless, that was nearly as good because it obtained for Ruben Amroim’s facet. They then went on to lose the subsequent 4 video games, together with a 3-0 dwelling defeat to Bournemouth and a 2-0 loss away from dwelling towards relegation-threatened Wolves.
There isn’t any doubt that United want reinforcements throughout January, they usually have been linked with somebody who might massively enhance their squad.
Man United’s January goal at full-back
The participant in query right here is Bournemouth wing-back Milos Kerkez. The 21-year-old Hungary worldwide has massively impressed for the Cherries this season, and will now depart the membership as quickly as January.
According to a report from GIVEMESPORT, United are certainly one of 4 sides eager about signing the defender this January. Nevertheless, they’re set to face competitors from three large six Premier League rivals, particularly Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.
It’s thought that the South Coast facet, who’re flying within the Premier League this season, are ‘set to play hardball’ with the Pink Devils and the opposite sides eager about signing.
Football Insider reported in December {that a} £40m bid can be the minimal wanted to signal the defender, however they may effectively maintain out for extra.
Why Kerkez can be signing for Man United
Cherries boss Andoni Iraola has been stuffed with reward for Kerkez all through the 2024/25 marketing campaign. At the start of November, he defined that the teenager has been “strong this season”.
That’s actually mirrored in his stats. Iraola’s belief within the younger defender is obvious, given he has started him 19 times out of a possible 19 within the Premier League.
He has scored as soon as and grabbed two assists, each of which got here in a well-known 2-1 win over Manchester Metropolis.
Gary Neville has been very outspoken about United’s want for brand spanking new wing-backs sooner slightly than later. The Pink Devils legend told Sky Sports that, within the switch market, the membership “have to begin with the basics of this technique, which is the wing-backs”. The previous United captain is perhaps one particular person relived to see continued hyperlinks to Kerkez inside the previous few days.
The Hungarian is perhaps an ideal alternative for Diogo Dalot, who has been taking part in at left wing-back of late. In actual fact, Neville was important of the Portuguese star and Noussair Mazraoui, explaining that neither are “excellent within the attacking a part of the pitch”. Dalot has managed only one help to this point this time period in 19 Premier League games.
That is actually a trigger for concern for Amorim, and the statistical numbers again up the idea that Kerkez can be an attacking enchancment. As the stats via Squawka show, the hole between the 2 is obvious to see.
For instance, the 21-year-old Cherries defender creates a mean of 1.1 possibilities and completes 0.9 crosses per 90 minutes within the Premier League this season. As compared, Dalot creates simply 0.8 possibilities every sport and completes simply 0.2 crosses. The distinction is stark.
|
Kerkez & Dalot key stats in contrast |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stat (per 90) |
Kerkez |
Dalot |
|
Probabilities created |
1.1 |
0.8 |
|
Crosses tried |
2.9 |
1.6 |
|
Crosses accomplished |
0.9 |
0.2 |
|
Ahead passes |
14.9 |
14.9 |
|
Take-on success fee |
52.94% |
50% |
|
Stats from Squawka |
||
It actually looks as if signing Kerkez, a flying wing-back who can rise up and down the left flank with ease, can be an improve on Dalot. He’s statistically higher, with greater attacking output and a very good engine.
The teenager was described as “among the finest younger left-backs in soccer” by football scout Antonio Mango. That positively looks as if the sort of participant that will be an awesome addition to Amroim’s squad as he appears to be like to climb the Premier League.
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