The Sun has recently reported that Manchester United will face stiff competition in pursuit of Brighton and Hove Albion centre-half Ben White in this off-season. It has been claimed that the Red Devils will have to compete with the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Leeds United in the race to recruit the Seagulls defensive ace this summer.
White’s Stellar Loan Spell At Elland Road Last Season
The Poole-born prospect experienced a fruitful loan spell with Leeds United last season after managing to find a run of consistency with his performances at the centre of Marcelo Bielsa’s defence. The 22-year-old managed to contribute by scoring one goal and two assists in 49 appearances for the Whites in the previous campaign across various competitions.
White has produced several commanding displays at the back and has done well to average 1.6 tackles, 2.5 interceptions and 2.7 clearances per match in the EFL Championship. He even completed 84.6% of his attempted passes in the second tier of English football which goes to show just how accurate he can be when distributing the ball going forward (stats via whoscored).
Man United’s recent 2-1 defeat at the hands of Sevilla in the UEFA Europa League semifinals highlighted their need to add some defensive reinforcements during this summer transfer window. If White can maintain his incredible form in the upcoming campaign, then he could prove to be a shrewd acquisition for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team ahead of the return of Premier League football next month.
What Will The English Youngster Bring To The Table?
White has proven himself to be a reliable figure in defence as he is often quick to scan the danger. He can earn possession back for his side by making a few well-timed tackles inside his half. The English starlet can even position himself ideally to deal with the threat and is not shy of clearing his lines when being closed down by the opposition.
The former Southampton youth player has established himself amongst the most promising young centre-backs in English football. However, there are some concerns over whether he can continue to impress at the highest level if given a chance to feature in the Premier League every week next season.
Will Ben White Be A Good Fit For The Red Devils This Summer?
A defender of White’s defensive skillset and outstanding potential could serve as a decent choice for Man United to consider in this ongoing transfer window. He has got what it takes to secure a regular centre-back spot in Solskjaer’s first XI.
The Brighton whizkid will offer some much-needed competition for Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly, Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe and could potentially strike up a strong defensive partnership with Harry Maguire at the north-west of England in the coming seasons. Hence, White would be an excellent fit for Solskjaer’s style of play at Old Trafford as he is a ball-playing centre-half who won’t commit too many mistakes at the back.
