According to a recent report from Goal.com, Manchester United are keen on securing the services of Norwich City right-back Max Aarons as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks set to bolster his options at the back.
Aarons has been a long-term target for United now with the Norwegian coach keeping tabs on the 20-year-old since last summer; however, the report further states that the Red Devils might have to wait until summer to sign the highly-rated fullback as Norwich are unwilling to part ways their best player mid-way through the season. Hence, a deal in January seems highly unlikely.
What Would Aarons Bring To The Manchester Club?
Max Aarons has been outstanding for the Canaries in the Championship this term as they look set to win promotion back to the Premier League in their first attempt. Playing on the right-hand side of the ‘back-four’ under Daniel Farke, the English fullback has emerged as on as one of the division’s most exciting talents, thereby following the footsteps of ex-Canaries like Ben Godfrey and Jamal Lewis.
Norwich City’s recent style of play involves building from the back where the fullbacks are given the task to progress the attack up the flanks. Now, this is exactly the type of role Aarons excels in – he stays calm while defending, hardly misplacing passes or mistiming tackles and once he senses a potential opening, he’ll move swiftly up the pitch to join the attack and help his side on the other end of the pitch. However, the fact that the youngster hasn’t managed to register even a single assist to his name this season strictly underlines the severe lack of quality in his final balls, perhaps, a part of the 20-year-old’s game which needs to be worked upon in the coming years.
Going by the numbers, Max Aarons averages 0.6 shots, 1.3 key passes, 1.3 dribbles, 0.7 crosses, 0.8 tackles, and 1.7 clearances per 90 minutes in the EFL Championship. While his attacking stats are far superior to Wan-Bissaka’s, one has to keep in mind that the latter’s strength lies in the defensive side of the game.
(Stats from WhoScored)
Should Ole Go In For Him?
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been nothing short of a hit for the Red Devils since his £50 million move to the Old Trafford from Crystal Palace last summer. However, a recent injury to the Englishman saw Solskjaer starting Victor Lindelof at the right-back spot, which vigorously underlined the lack of back-up options in the department.
While Timothy Fosu-Mensah lacks experience at the highest level, the Norwegian tactician doesn’t rate Diogo Dalot (currently on loan at AC Milan) very highly.
The signing of Aarons will undoubtedly give rise to a healthy competition and it might just bring the best out of the 23-year-old defender, who arguably has a lot to improve in offensive terms. Moreover, Aarons would provide United with a very different option in games when tearing down a balky opposition setup is the day’s order.
