It seems like following the master hijacking of Romelu Lukaku from Everton lately, which left Premier League club Chelsea high and dry, the Red Devils are willing to adopt a similar strategy for every other top target of various clubs. According to reports, United are now weighing up a bid for Red Bull Leipzig’s star midfielder Naby Keita, who has been heavily linked with Liverpool throughout the summer.
The 22-year-old has emerged as one of the top targets for many clubs this summer following the Bundesliga side’s terrific display last season. They are in the Champions League and are preparing for what promises to be yet another adventurous campaign in Europe. And it makes getting Keita all the more difficult for any team in the world.
United have beefed up their squad in defence and attack by bringing in a solid centre half in Victor Lindelof and one of Premier League’s best centre forward in Romelu Lukaku. However, it would come to little effect if the defence to attack transition remains erratic. A faltering midfield, despite bringing in Paul Pogba, had cost United a lot many games last season.
They couldn’t create many chances and the recurring injuries to Juan Mata and Wayne Rooney worsened the situation. Although Mourinho still had the likes of Ander Herrera and Michael Carrick and Marouane Fellaini in his three-man midfield, their inconsistency could manage to impress the manager very little.
Mourinho needs someone like N’Golo Kante in his midfield, who could work tirelessly in intercepting tackles and pass it up, and Naby Keita has fulfilled these duties impeccably for Leipzig last season. He was the engine of their team from the deep midfield, with his unparalleled stamina who hardly put a step wrong.
He is versatile, whether it is holding the ball, or playing as a cushion to the defence or creating chances in the number 10 role. And at 22, he will only flourish with every passing game. Although defensive midfield remains his most productive position from where he scored four goals and two assists last season, attacking midfielder has also been effective as he created three assists from behind the striker.
He scored eight goals and notched up seven assists for Leipzig, establishing himself as an important player for the side. Having a not so large frame at 172cm, the player surely isn’t a threat in the air, but his tremendous dribbling skills and incisive through balls could be a threat for the toughest of opponents.
