According to a recent report by France Football, Manchester United will face stiff competition from Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur in pursuit of Red Bull Leipzig centre-back Dayot Upamecano this summer. However, the same source has ruled out Arsenal and Bayern Munich as potential candidates for the French defender, which will be a big boost for the Red Devils’ chances of landing him in the off-season.
Upamecano’s Brilliant Form For Leipzig This Season
Upamecano has enjoyed a dominant season in the Bundesliga after putting in a string of commanding displays at the centre of Julian Nagelsmann’s defence so far. He has appeared in 29 matches for Leipzig this term and has got one assist to his name on all fronts. Surprisingly, the 21-year-old is still waiting to score his first goal of this campaign despite being a potent goal-threat from set-pieces in the opposition half.
The France Under-21 international has averaged 2.1 tackles, 1.7 interceptions and 3.3 clearances in every 90 minutes of football in the German top tier this season (stats via whoscored). He has continued to perform at a high level in Europe as well after averaging 3.2 tackles, 1.3 interceptions and 3.5 clearances per game in the six UEFA Champions League fixtures he has been a part of thus far (stats via whoscored).
If Upamecano can maintain his high standards in the Premier League next season, then he could turn out to be an excellent addition to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad during the summer transfer window. The Evreux-born centre-half has also gathered a lot of praise for his performances when representing France at various youth ranks but is still waiting to make his debut for Didier Deschamps’s Les Bleus at the senior level.
What Are The French Youngster’s Best Attributes?
Upamecano can use his mobility and power to make a few lung-bursting recovering runs inside his own half and can scan the danger quickly to nip them in the bud. The French prospect loves to get stuck in with a few tackles that allow him to win the ball back for his side. He is usually there in the right place at the right time to make a clearance and can also be an aerial threat for the opposition at both ends of the pitch.
The Bundesliga starlet has been a capable defender at the back for Nagelsmann’s team over the past nine months which has enhanced his reputation in European football. Furthermore, he is ever-willing to put his body on the line when attempting to block a goal-bound shot from the opponent.
Will Upamecano Be The Right Fit For Solskjaer?
A centre-back of Upamecano’s skill set and potential will undoubtedly be a terrific coup for the Red Devils if they can find a way to fend off competition from other clubs and bring him to the Theatre of Dreams this summer. The French whizkid will be a significant upgrade over Phil Jones, Eric Bailly, Victor Lindelof and Axel Tuanzebe at Old Trafford. Plus, his ceiling is sky-high, which means that he could potentially form a dominant defensive partnership with Harry Maguire at the heart of the Man United backline for years to come.
Upamecano is a shining example of an ideal modern-day defender and could help Solskjaer establish a more possession-oriented playing style at the red half of Manchester. What makes the Frenchman such a highly sought-after talent is his ability to play the ball neatly out from the back. He boasts a pass success rate of 88.8% in the Bundesliga (stats via whoscored) this season which proves just how productive he can be with the ball at his feet.
The 21-year-old has also averaged nearly two dribbles per match in the Champions League so far (stats via whoscored), a stat that only makes him an even better candidate for the Red Devils to consider during the summer transfer period. With all things considered, it’s safe to say that Upamecano will be a perfect fit for Man United and their long-term ambitions as a football giant.
