Manchester United make a serious attempt to sign Barcelona defender
By Kian Long
Barcelona should watch out as Manchester United already have their eyes on the summer transfer window…
Day 578 without sport. It sucks, doesn’t it? However, Manchester United officials have been busy at work to provide some positive news for their supporter base.
According to Sport, Manchester United will make a “serious” attempt to sign Samuel Umtiti from Barcelona this summer. It is thought that he will come in as a replacement for Phil Jones, who is said to be leaving in the summer transfer window.
And what an upgrade it would be. I mean, Phil Jones is good but he isn’t exactly top calibre like Samuel Umtiti is. The French defender, despite being unlucky with injuries in recent seasons, has developed well in Spain and he is now nearing the prime stages of his defensive career, ageing at 26.
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That said, there is still plenty of time for improvement but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer feels like he is up for the task right now. And why wouldn’t he be? After all, if he can perform for Barcelona, then Manchester United should be no sweat for him.
Samuel Umtiti’s stock-in-trade is the standing tackle. There doesn’t seem to be many defenders better than him at preventing his opposite number in one-on-one situations.
He is also not afraid to put his body on the line when sliding is the best option, which will give United some Nemanja Vidic vibes. If he can be even a fraction of the best the Serbian was, United fans will love him.
Umtiti also has excellent footwork which enables him to get out of sticky situations. With the emerging high-pressing philosophy in the Premier League, this will help United massively and will cool the nerves of David de Gea between the sticks.
In all honesty, Jones and Umtiti are simply not comparable. The latter is FAR better than the former. Consequently, Manchester United will reap all the rewards by signing Umtiti. His current deal runs out in 2023. However, given his run of bad luck injury-wise, Barcelona may be inclined to sell him for cheaper.
Related Story. Manchester United set their price for Phil Jones. light
Do you think Manchester United have made the right choice in signing Samuel Umtiti?