Manchester United had a very poor month in December. The Crimson Devils performed 9 instances final month, successful simply three video games in that point.
A kind of got here at first of the month towards Everton, a 4-0 thrashing at Outdated Trafford. Additionally they gained 2-1 away to Viktoria Plzen within the Europa League and bought a well-known 2-1 win away to Manchester Metropolis.
Nonetheless, that was nearly as good because it bought for Ruben Amroim’s facet. They then went on to lose the subsequent 4 video games, together with a 3-0 residence defeat to Bournemouth and a 2-0 loss away from residence towards relegation-threatened Wolves.
There isn’t a doubt that United want reinforcements throughout January, and so they 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.
In response to a report from GIVEMESPORT, United are one in every of 4 sides focused on signing the defender this January. Nonetheless, 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 Crimson Devils and the opposite sides focused on signing.
Soccer Insider reported in December {that a} £40m bid could be the minimal wanted to signal the defender, however they may nicely maintain out for extra.
Why Kerkez could be a great signing for Man United
Cherries boss Andoni Iraola has been stuffed with reward for Kerkez all through the 2024/25 marketing campaign. At the beginning of November, he defined that the teen has been “stable this season”.
That’s definitely mirrored in his stats. Iraola’s belief within the younger defender is evident, given he has began him 19 instances out of a doable 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 new wing-backs sooner slightly than later. The Crimson Devils legend informed Sky Sports activities that, within the switch market, the membership “have to begin with the basics of this method, which is the wing-backs”. The previous United captain may be one individual relived to see continued hyperlinks to Kerkez inside the previous few days.
The Hungarian may be an ideal substitute for Diogo Dalot, who has been enjoying at left wing-back of late. In actual fact, Neville was vital 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 video games.
That is definitely a trigger for concern for Amorim, and the statistical numbers again up the speculation that Kerkez could be an attacking enchancment. Because the stats by way of Squawka present, the hole between the 2 is evident to see.
For instance, the 21-year-old Cherries defender creates a median of 1.1 possibilities and completes 0.9 crosses per 90 minutes within the Premier League this season. Compared, Dalot creates simply 0.8 possibilities every recreation 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 charge | 52.94% | 50% |
Stats from Squawka | ||
It definitely looks like signing Kerkez, a flying wing-back who can stand up and down the left flank with ease, could be an improve on Dalot. He’s statistically higher, with greater attacking output and a very good engine.
The teen was described as “top-of-the-line younger left-backs in soccer” by soccer scout Antonio Mango. That undoubtedly looks like the form of participant that may be an ideal addition to Amroim’s squad as he appears to be like to climb the Premier League.
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