With Manchester United accelerating their pursuit of a desired squad during pre-season, a trio of targets have risen above the rest.
In Matthijs de Ligt, Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee, Erik ten Hag has identified an acquisition in each area of the field.
Per Christopher Michel, a deal for the trio could be sealed in days, with supporters eager for clarity.
Michel, who initially revealed Willy Kambwala’s contract refusal, confirmed United’s transfer plans via the German publication Fussball News.
The activity signals an ultimate display of strength from Sir Jim Ratcliffe in fortifying the Manchester giants.
But what would each signing bring to the squad, and how will they benefit Ten Hag’s side?
Matthijs de Ligt
The former Ajax captain offers a wealth of experience at the pinnacle of European football.
De Ligt is a formidable defender with an imposing stature and an often underrated assessment of his acceleration and pace.
Much like former United favourite Jaap Stam, he is an aggressive tackler with an unwavering desire to shield his goalkeeper.
While his injury record has left some cautious about his arrival, Gary O’Driscoll has assembled an elite medical department with due diligence as a rule of thumb.
Furthermore, his distribution is well-noted, with the prospect of a partnership with Lisandro Martinez a formidable consideration.
Assessing a sample size over the previous 365 days of football, the Dutchman has attempted an average of 72.80 passes per 90 minutes, returning a staggering 93.1% completion rate.
Having worked with Ten Hag in Amsterdam, the imposing player is familiar with the tactical expectations of the United chief and comfortable with every aspect.
Manuel Ugarte
A desire to recruit a defensive midfielder remains an integral target for the 20-time champions of England.
Although much of this relies on the future of Casemiro, speculation is mounting about an impending transfer to join Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League.
Enter Manuel Ugarte – a hard-working Uruguayan destroyer with elite metrics in tackling, recoveries and interceptions.
The man once labelled a “revelation” by L’Équipe for his ease of transition from Portugal to France is reportedly unsettled in Ligue 1, with Paris Saint Germain open to a sale.
When analysing the European talent pool for defensively-minded midfielders, Ugarte stands alongside the best.
The Uruguay international placed in the top percentile for ball recoveries (8.14), dribblers challenged (4.3), tackles/interceptions (5.97) and tackles (4.11) per 90′ across 2023-24.
With the prospect of a loan move with an option to buy remaining a distinct possibility, United would appease the Premier League profit and sustainability criteria while welcoming a midfield monster to Old Trafford.
Joshua Zirkzee
Having flown to Manchester to complete a medical on Friday, Zirkzee represents a forward option with an entirely different dynamic.
The Dutchman was a key player in Thiago Motta’s Bologna machine that achieved Champions League football for the first time since 1965.
While some may look past the player due to his goalscoring record, his ultimate value surfaced through his deep-lying interplay and desire to utilise wide players.
He stands 1.93 metres tall and offers elite hold-up play. Additionally, the forward supplied an average of 2.81 progressive passes and 1.7 successful take-ons per 90′.
Despite adopting a role focusing on aiding his teammates, a tally of 11 domestic goals was more than credible.
Furthermore, his defensive work rate is second to none, averaging 3.36 ball recoveries per outing.
When focusing on Serie A and players in his position, he ranked first in tackles (31) and possessions won in the attacking third (30).
For a fee of a little over £35 Million, United are obtaining a forward that can transform an attacking line and aid in the magnetic Dutch system.
How do you feel about the prospect of this trio of signings?
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