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“I haven’t been overly impressed”- Pundit urges Man United to steer clear of Napoli’s Kim Min-jae

South Korea's defender Kim Min-jae.
South Korea's defender Kim Min-jae. (Photo by ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images)

Mikael Silvestre advises Manchester United against Napoli defender Kim Min-jae transfer

Former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre has advised the club not to acquire the services of Napoli centre-back Kim Min-jae in the summer.

The South Korea international has been linked with a move to the Old Trafford side in the upcoming transfer window. But the Red Devils will need to trigger the £43 million release clause in the 26-year-old’s contract to get his signature.

But speaking to bettingexpert (h/t Manchester Evening News), Silvestre, who spent almost a decade at United, has urged against adding Min-jae to the squad and believes the Red Devils already have enough depth.

Mikael Silvestre does not want Manchester United to sign Kim Min-jae.
Mikael Silvestre does not want Manchester United to sign Kim Min-jae. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

“I like him. I like him but for me, I haven’t been overly impressed. Especially when I compare him to the likes of [Lisandro] Martinez and [Raphael] Varane.

“I don’t see him coming in and breaking that partnership. Especially when you have Lindelof who has done extremely well as a back-up. I think United are okay in that department.”

The South Korean joined the Naples-based club last summer from Fenerbahce. In his debut season at the Partenopei, the 26-year-old has shone and Luciano Spalletti’s team have lifted the Scudetto after 33 years.

Min-jae has been an essential member of the Serie A giants’ starting lineup. The defender has not let the Italian outfit feel the absence of Kalidou Koulibaly, who signed for Chelsea in the summer of 2022.

However, despite the South Korean’s quality, Silvestre is right in suggesting that he will find it difficult at United. The 26-year-old will have to compete with Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane for a place in the team.

Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane have been impressive at Manchester United
Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane have been impressive at Manchester United. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

The two World Cup winners have formed a formidable partnership at the Old Trafford side in the current campaign. Erik ten Hag has trusted the two as his first-choice centre-backs.

As a result, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof have seen their game time dwindle since the Dutch manager’s arrival. We could opt to part ways with our captain in the coming weeks. The Swedish national’s future at the club is also uncertain.

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Therefore, it remains to be seen whether Min-jae will want to compete with Martinez and Varane. However, if we lose both Maguire and Lindelof, then a move for the South Korean would make sense.

Written by Aheed Abrar

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