Siddharth Juyal
Manchester United target Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi to bolster their defence in January
Manchester United are targeting Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi to fix their inconsistent and injury-prone backline. The Red Devils are facing an injury crisis which is keeping most of their senior team defenders out of action.
Guehi has been indispensable in the backline of Crystal Palace since signing from Chelsea during the summer of 2021. The 23-year-old’s performance for the club earned him a call-up for England national team in March 2022.
The Eagles have formed a formidable defence in the last couple of seasons that is very hard to break. They ranked ninth in the least goals conceded, with just seven goals separating them from the Red Devils.
Guehi has made 91 appearances for the Eagles in all competitions while scoring five goals and providing one assist.
The England international commands and organises the backline with authority despite his young age. The 23-year-old has a calm head and uses his game intelligence to tackle and intercept opposition threats.
Guehi is a modern-day defender, comfortable on the ball, and likes to bring the ball out from the back. The England international is a good distributor from the backline with a high passing rate.
The England setup deploys a high-pressing game with more intensity whereas Palace’s style of play is more defensive and organised. The 23-year-old has shown his ability to adapt to both styles of play with consistent performance and comfort.
Football Insider (h/t Manchester Evening News) reported that United are planning to target the 23-year-old to bolster their defence. The Red Devils have been abysmal in defence this season while losing six out of 11 games in all competitions.
United have conceded 19 goals in those 11 matches as injury crisis and individual performances crippled them in the back.
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If United signs Guehi, he will fulfil the homegrown quota, and his Premier League experience can help him adapt quickly. The Red Devils need more than just the England international to strengthen themselves in order to achieve even the minimum expectations this season.
