Aheed Abrar
Manchester United decided against signing Josip Juranovic from Celtic in January
Manchester United decided against signing Joisp Juranovic from Celtic in the previous transfer window. In the end, the Croatia international joined Union Berlin from the Scottish outfit last month.
The Red Devils were prepared to let go of Aaron Wan-Bissaka in January and get a replacement. However, the 25-year-old has forced his way back into the team after some good performances in recent weeks.
Diogo Dalot has been sidelined for most of the time since his return from the 2022 World Cup. In the Portugal international’s absence, the former Crystal Palace star has stepped up to the plate.
Subsequently, the Old Trafford side decided to keep the England U21 international. Speaking on his YouTube channel (h/t Express), transfer guru Fabrizio Romano revealed Juranovic was on top of United’s list. However, the 27-year-old’s move did not materialise.
“They had a right-back in their hands, ready to be signed in case Wan-Bissaka was going to leave. That player was Josip Juranovic.
The Manchester United board discussed his name. He was a concrete option. But then after waiting and waiting, they decided to keep Wan-Bissaka and the Juranovic deal collapsed. This is why it didn’t happen, but for United, Juranovic was a concrete opportunity.”
The Croatia international caught a lot of people’s attention with his performances in Qatar. Zlatko Dalic’s team made it to the semi-final and the right-back was a pivotal player for them.
Juraovic had a fruitful spell at Celtic, having signed from Legia Warszawa in the summer of 2021. Now, the defender will ply his trade in the Bundesliga. Union Berlin are flying high at the moment and are second in the league, a point behind Bayern Munich.
2⃣nd appearance in @fcunion shirt
— HNS (@HNS_CFF) January 31, 2023
2⃣nd assist
👌 Josip Juranović 🇭🇷
Seems like a good winter signing, right @fcunion fans? 😉#Family #Vatreni❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/xiLLmjx5B2
Dalot has been Erik ten Hag’s first choice at right-back this season. The 23-year-old has improved his game a lot under the Dutch manager and has been ever-present in the starting lineup.
However, in the Portuguese star’s absence, Wan-Bissaka was our backup. There were some concerns around the 25-year-old as he had not played much in the first half of the campaign.
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Fortunately, the former Palace star has deputised well. Thus, with the English national still at the club, there was evidently no reason for United to pursue Juranovic.
