Pranav Nair
Manchester United keeping tabs on Manchester City star Nathan Ake
According to The Sun (h/t The Express), Manchester United are interested in Manchester City star Nathan Ake to solve their defensive frailties.
The Red Devils are in the market for a partner for skipper Harry Maguire in the heart of the defence. While the United captain is mostly a reliable defender, the lack of a trustworthy partner has been a major issue.
The importance of building a solid defence cannot be understated given the success Liverpool and City have had in recent years. Both Virgil van Dijk and Ruben Dias have shown that going big on a defender could help alter the team’s fortunes.
The statement seems untrue given that we have the most expensive defender in the world in Maguire. However, it takes two to tango and the English international lacks a man Friday.
Ake is the latest player to be linked with us and is a curious choice. The Dutch defender joined Pep Guardiola’s side in a huge £40million transfer from Bournemouth last summer. However, he has played just 10 top-flight games and was largely a backup.
With the likes of Dias, John Stones, and Aymeric Laporte all present, Ake will be hard-pressed to make a starting spot his own. He could however potentially have better luck cracked that code at Old Trafford.
Moreover, Ake may prove cheaper than other alternatives. This could very well help us earmark money elsewhere in the transfer market. United have also been linked to Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane, Villarreal’s Pau Torres and Sevilla’s Jules Kounde. (h/t The Express)
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Interestingly, Ake was on United’s shortlist last summer. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be and he moved to the Etihad.
