Former Leeds United Striker Noel Whelan has urged Manchester United to sign Borussia Monchengladbach forward Marcus Thuram in the upcoming transfer window as they keep searching for a cut-price target to fill the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo’s untimely departure.
“When you let go of someone with a pedigree and personality like Ronaldo, you can’t not go out and replace him.
“They’ve got to go out and get a player who can come in and counter-act that disappointment.
“Thuram looks fit, he can do the graft – he fits the bill for Ten Hag.
“He looked very energetic and talented during the World Cup and for £6 million, you’re not exactly taking a gamble if you’re a big club like Man United.”
The Frenchman’s contract with Monchengladbach is set to expire in the summer of 2023, so he could be available for a fee of just £6 million in January.
Is He Worth The Punt?
Having come through the ranks at FC Sochaux, Marcus Thuram signed for Borussia Monchengladbach from Guingamp in the summer of 2019 for a fee in the region of €9 million. Over the course of the past four years, he has made 119 appearances for die Fohlen, scoring 41 goals and assisting 26 more across all competitions. Currently standing second in the race for Bundesliga’s golden boot, he has scored 13 goals in 17 club outings this season.
The 25-year-old has managed to put up some impressive numbers on the board this term – averaging 3.7 shots, 0.9 key passes and 1.5 dribbles per ninety minutes in the German top-flight. While he is primarily a centre-forward, he can slot into either flank in the hour of need.
The Red Devils are in dire need of reinforcements in the striker’s department – and Thuram fits the bill perfectly. Aged 25, he is in the form of his life and managed to impress in a reduced role at the World Cup. Hence, the board should go all out for his signature in the upcoming transfer window.
(Stats from WhoScored)
