George Baker
Manchester United passed up on Dayot Upamecano because of Solskjaer’s request
In a rather surprising bit of news from ESPN, Manchester United decided to pass up on the chance to sign Dayot Upamecano at the request of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The reason was cited to be Solskjaer actually wanted a left-footed central defender.
Bayern Munich went on to announce the signing of the highly rated and in-demand French youngster at the end of the season from RB Leipzig. The Bavarian side decided to pay his €42.5m release clause thereby ending months of speculation regarding the player’s future.
ESPN’s sources revealed that the player was of interest to Manchester United due to the release clause. However, Upamecano’s representatives were aware of United wanting a left-footed defender even before Bayern went ahead for the player’s signature.
Solskjaer does want to sign a new central defender next season and believes that a left-footed player will be more of a good fit for the side. Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof are the first choice centre-back pairing for the Norwegian manager. Since both players are right-footed, Maguire has had to slot in on the left.
Eric Bailly has also been given a run in the side when fit. The other two options are academy graduate Axel Tuanzebe and the injured Phil Jones. Marcos Roje left the club recently for Boca Juniors.
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It has been said that if another centre-back does arrive next season, the club would be open to letting Jones leave on a permanent deal. Tuanzebe, on the other hand, could be allowed to leave on a loan.
