According to a report from The Guardian, Manchester United are considering utilising the funds from the sale of Harry Maguire to potentially acquire Bayern Munich’s Benjamin Pavard. The French player’s versatility in being able to perform as both a centre-back and a right-back is believed to be a key factor in United’s interest.
Pavard’s Campaign With Bayern Munich Last Season
Throughout the season, Pavard has exhibited a remarkable performance for the German club, consistently delivering strong and dependable displays on the right flank of their defensive line. The 27-year-old showcased his attacking abilities by netting seven goals and providing an additional assist in 39 appearances for Bayern Munich across various competitions.
In terms of defensive contributions, the French talent excelled, maintaining an average of 2.3 tackles, 1.5 interceptions, 2.5 clearances, 1.1 shots, and 0.6 key passes per game in the Bundesliga. Additionally, his precision in distributing the ball was noteworthy, boasting an accuracy rate of 89.9% in the top flight of German football (statistics sourced from whoscored).
Decent Fit For Manchester United Boss Erik Ten Hag?
Pavard stands out for his robust tackling skills and impeccable timing, allowing him to proficiently regain possession for his team in defensive situations. Furthermore, his adaptability is evident, as he can seamlessly shift into a central defender role when the need arises, even though he primarily operates as a right-back.
A significant asset to his game is his capacity to deliver pinpoint crosses, thereby generating scoring opportunities for his teammates. However, there is room for growth in terms of his offensive involvement, particularly in making incisive runs down the right flank to enhance his impact in the attacking third.
The inclusion of Pavard in Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United lineup would undoubtedly elevate the team’s performance, and the French talent possesses the skills necessary to establish himself as a regular starter for the Red Devils. Hence, ten Hag has done well to identify him as a potential target and should do everything to bring him to Old Trafford before the end of this month.