Jose Mourinho’s failure to keep up with Manchester City and to win a trophy last season will put him under pressure this summer. The former Real Madrid boss earlier claimed that his side might not spend big this transfer window but the lack of success and progress last season might see them sign some star players, yet again this transfer window.
One such player they are now ready to make a move for is Clement Lenglet. Manchester United have already signed Fred from Shakhtar Donetsk and are close to landing Diogo Dalot and Lenglet could be their third signing of this summer.
The French U21 international joined Sevilla from Nancy in January 2017 and took no time to establish himself in the first team, turning into the first choice defender for Sevilla last season, where he helped his side knock Manchester United out of the Champions League in the Round of 16. The number he pulled on Romelu Lukaku, keeping the Belgian frustrated, is what has attracted Mourinho but Lenglet has a lot more to offer to Manchester United.
At just 22, he is a matured footballer, quick to see out the danger in and around the box. He is pro-active, and usually accurate with his passing from the back, helping his side set up counter attacks and also lending a hand in build-up play.
He does give away needless fouls but the way he dominates his box, finding the right place to cut off passes and crosses, time and again, makes him a serious talent at such a tender age. He is also wanted by Barcelona but the Catalan giants have signed Samuel Umtiti on a new long-term and may no longer be interested in the French defender.
So where does he fit in at United?
The Red Devils have spent on Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof in the last two transfer windows while Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are other options for this role. Daley Blind and Marcos Rojo, who have been used at centre back, are both expected to be sold, while none of Lindelof, Smalling and Jones have been consistent enough to warrant a place in the first team next season.
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So Lenglet could partner Bailly, who is also 24, as Mourinho continues to build a team for the long term. French news outfit L’Equipe claim that he has a release clause of £30.7m, which United are ready to meet. He has the makings of a potential superstar and is certainly a huge coup for United.
