Manchester United turn to West Ham for young center back
According to the Sun, Ole Gunnar Solskjær will once again attempt to sign Issa Diop for Manchester United following an injury crisis in defense.
The Red Devils are facing multiple personnel issues, with Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay picking up long-term injuries, and Victor Lindelof and Phil Jones being the only 100% fit center backs.
Harry Maguire sustained a hip muscle tear against Wolves in the FA Cup, while Jones was terrible in the recent 3-1 defeat to Manchester City. Maguire might still return to face Norwich City, but Solskjær is unlikely to risk the £80 million summer signing with more important games coming up.
Bruno Fernandes is reportedly close to a move as United scramble to secure a midfielder to replace Pogba. Many at the club believe that 2 players could arrive in January, and the second player could be West Ham’s Issa Diop.
The 23-year-old has quietly become one of the best young center backs in the Premier League, establishing himself as one of West Ham’s most important players. The Hammers signed him in the summer of 2018 for £22 million, a considerable amount for the club.
Diop is a graduate of Toulouse’s academy. He displayed a maturity beyond his age to become a regular for the first team before the inevitable move to England. Jose Mourinho even called him a ‘monster’ after United lost at the London Stadium last season.
United isn’t the only club after the Frenchman. Chelsea are eager to sign new defenders as well, with only Tottenham and Arsenal having conceded more goals than the Blues in the top half of the table.
New West Ham boss David Moyes will not want to let his star man leave, but a big enough offer could convince the former United manager. A price of £40 million has been quoted, but a much bigger number will probably be needed.
Even after the signing of Maguire and Wan-Bissaka, United’s defense hasn’t shown the improvement that fans expected. While the two of them have been some of the better performers, Lindelof and Luke Shaw have often been suspect in their defending.
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Diop would be a good signing, and a continuation of Solskjær’s first team rebuild alongside Fernandes.