In a recent report, Sky Sports has mentioned that Manchester United have identified LOSC Lille keeper Mike Maignan as one of the options to replace David de Gea this summer. It is believed that Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak could be too expensive for the Red Devils, so they are now eyeing a move for Maignan, who would be an affordable option for them at the end of this campaign (via Sky Sports).
Maignan’s Magnificent Season In French Football
The Cayenne-born sensation is enjoying a solid season at the Stade Pierre Mauroy as he has put in a series of dominant displays as Christophe Galtier’s first-choice goalkeeper. Maignan has conceded 29 goals and secured 17 clean sheets in 37 appearances for Lille this term across all competitions.
The 25-year-old has caught the eye by averaging 0.5 clearances and 4.9 long balls per game in the Ligue 1 and the UEFA Europa League this season. However, he needs to improve his accuracy when distributing the ball from the back based on his pass completion rate of 65.7% in both those competitions (stats via whoscored).
Maignan’s excellent contributions in between the sticks have helped Lille climb to the top of the league table. The ex-Paris Saint-Germain youngster and his teammates will now have a chance to challenge for the Ligue 1 title in the final few months of this campaign.
What Does The French Custodian Bring To The Table?
Maignan boasts outstanding reflexes that allow him to pull off some crucial saves inside his penalty box. He can make some quick dives to come to his side’s rescue and is also not shy of clearing his lines when needed.
Standing at 1.91m, the French sensation can be a towering presence on the defensive end of the pitch and is a decent handler of the ball as well. He has a good football IQ and can position himself ideally to deny the opposition from finding the back of the net.
Replacing de Gea With Maignan: Wise Move For The Red Devils?
De Gea has enjoyed a brilliant career at Old Trafford, but he is past his prime, so it makes sense for Man United to ship him out at the end of this season and bring in a younger replacement. Maignan fits the bill perfectly as he has been playing well of late and seems to be getting better with each season.
At 25, the Lille star will be a signing for the long-run as he has the potential to be a regular starter at the Theatre of Dreams for years to come. He is more than capable of competing with Dean Henderson for a place in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s starting XI. With all things considered, the Red Devils would be wise to orchestrate a move to bring Maignan to the north-west of England during the summer transfer window.
